CONNECT with the City2026 Flexible Benefits Plan Options for Municipal Employees Association (MEA)
Below are the Below are the Flexible Benefits Plan (FBP) credits and options that are available to Municipal Employees Association (MEA) members.
Flexible Benefit Plan (FBP) Credits
FBP credits are the semi-monthly allowance provided by the City to help offset the cost of your health plan premiums, basic life insurance, and flexible spending account contributions. Your FBP credit amount is dependent upon your most recent hire date and medical dependent coverage level. Certain credit tiers also have the ability to allocate excess credits towards the 401(k) or to receive cash back paid as taxable income.
Medical Plans
Making a medical plan election is mandatory, even if your are waiving coverage, because it’s a factor in determining your Flexible Benefit Plan (FBP) credit allotment.
Medical Plans
Guides and Comparisons
Dental Plans
The San Diego Public Employee Benefit Association (SDPEBA) offers two dental plan options to MEA employees through MetLife - an HMO and a PPO
Contact Information
Phone
888-315-8027 (SDPEBA Pre-enrollment Questions)
800-880-1800 (HMO Customer Service)
800-275-4638 (PPO Customer Service)
Partner Website
Group #
5343641
Account Login
Go to mybenefits.metlife.com. In the “Access MyBenefits” box enter “SDPEBA” as the “Employer or Association” and select “Next”.
Plan Summaries & Resources
Visit the SDPEBA Dental Homepage for access to a variety of resources.
Premium Rates
Your City FBP credits are used to pay the premium cost of your selected benefit plans. Any premium costs in excess of your allocated FBP credits, will be deducted from wages on a pre-tax basis, unless otherwise noted below as a post-tax amount for domestic partners that are not a tax dependent.
Dependent Coverage Level | Semi-monthly Premium (24 pay periods) | |
|---|---|---|
MEA MetLife Dental HMO | MEA MetLife Dental PPO | |
| Employee Only | $10.50 | $36.08 |
| Employee & Spouse/Domestic Partner | $20.45 | $70.24 |
| Employee & Domestic Partner (post-tax)* | $20.45 ($9.95 post-tax + $10.50 pre-tax) | $70.24 ($34.16 post-tax + $36.08 pre-tax) |
| Employee & Children | $20.45 | $70.24 |
| Family | $29.23 | $113.51 |
| Family (Domestic Partner post-tax)* | $29.23 ($8.78 post-tax + $20.45 pre-tax) | $113.51 ($43.27 post-tax + $70.24 pre-tax) |
*Domestic partners can only be enrolled on a pre-tax basis if they qualify as a tax dependent under IRS guidelines. To enroll your Domestic Partner on a pre-tax basis, submit a Tax Dependent Certification form.
Vision Plans
The San Diego Public Employee Benefit Association (SDPEBA) offers one vision plan to MEA employees through VSP.
Contact Information
Phone
888-315-8027 (SDPEBA Pre-enrollment Questions)
800- 877-7195 (VSP members)
Partner Website
Account Login
Plan Summaries & Resources
Premium Rates
Your City FBP credits are used to pay the premium cost of your selected benefit plans. Any premium costs in excess of your allocated FBP credits, will be deducted from wages on a pre-tax basis, unless otherwise noted below as a post-tax amount for domestic partners that are not a tax dependent.
Dependent Coverage Level | Semi-monthly Premium (24 pay periods) |
|---|---|
| Employee Only | $10.44 |
| Employee & Spouse/Domestic Partner | $18.49 |
| Employee & Domestic Partner (post-tax)* | $18.49 ($8.05 post-tax + $10.44 pre-tax) |
| Employee & Children | $18.49 |
| Family | $30.50 |
| Family (Domestic Partner post-tax)* | $30.50 ($12.01 post-tax + $18.49 pre-tax) |
*Domestic partners can only be enrolled on a pre-tax basis if they qualify as a tax dependent under IRS guidelines. To enroll your Domestic Partner on a pre-tax basis, submit a Tax Dependent Certification form.
Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
The Hartford is the City’s life insurance provider. Employees are required to enroll in basic life insurance and must select the level of coverage for a minimal annual cost. The associated cost will be paid pre-tax, through your FBP credits.
Basic Life Coverage | Semi-monthly cost |
|---|---|
| $10,000 | $0.15 |
| $25,000 | $0.38 |
| $50,000 | $0.75 |
Employees may also sign up for supplemental life insurance to cover yourself, your spouse/domestic partner and your child(ren). FBP credits cannot be used to pay for Supplemental Life Insurance. Instead, premiums are deducted on a post-tax basis through your City paycheck. Coverage and cost are outlined in the employee benefits guide (see resources below).
Basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance for employee and spouse/domestic partner, automatically include AD&D coverage (coverage for fatal and nonfatal accidents involving specific injuries - dismemberment or loss of movement in certain body parts).
The City’s Life Insurance carrier, The Hartford, also provides additional services for funeral planning, estate administration, grief counseling, identity theft protection and more.
Resources
- 2026 Employee Benefits Guide
- Basic Life Insurance and AD&D Benefit Highlights (Class 1)
- Supplemental Life Insurance and AD&D Benefit Highlights
- Additional Benefits through The Hartford
- Travel Assist and Identity Theft Protection
- Empathy Overview
Contact
For questions about life insurance benefits and enrollment, please contact benefits@sandiego.gov, or call 619-236-5924.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars and/or excess FBP credits from your paycheck (semi-monthly) to help pay for qualified expenses that are incurred during the plan year. HealthEquity|WageWorks is the administrator of the City’s Flexible Spending Accounts.
For more information, visit the City’s Flexible Spending Accounts Website.
Contact
For pre-enrollment questions, contact the City’s benefits office at benefits@sandiego.gov or 619-236-5924.
After enrollment, contact the FSA account administrator, HealthEquity|WageWorks at 877-924-3967 or login at wageworks.com.