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Everything You Want to Know About Your UC Benefits

As a new or newly eligible employee, you have a 31-day period of initial eligibility (PIE) to enroll yourself and eligible family member(s). Before you enroll, take these steps to help you understand the UC benefits that are available to you and to ensure that you are making well-informed decisions for you and your family. Also be sure to view the New Employee Welcome Kit.

Introducing Alex

ALEX — your personal benefits coach — helps find the plans that fit you best.

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Benefits Information

UCR New Employee Benefits Orientation

If you are a Faculty or Staff member eligible for full benefits and non-postdoc, this orientation is essential to attend. Please join us to learn about UC’s Health & Welfare Benefits and review the additional UC plans. You have the option to attend in-person or via Zoom.

For dates and instructions on how to enroll, please review the New Employee Benefits Orientation Flyer.  

UCPath New Employee Benefits Orientation
New Full-Benefits Eligible Employees
  • Monthly | First Friday | 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
New Mid-Level Benefits Eligible Employees
  • Monthly | 2nd Thursdays | 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

To join the webinars, you do not need to pre-register.

  1. Go to Zoom,
  2. Select “join a meeting,” and
  3. Enter meeting ID: 951 787 5041.

For audio, call 408-638-0968; meeting ID: 951 787 504.

For additional information, please review the UCPath New Employee Benefits Orientation Flyer.  

Benefit Plan Enrollment
How to Enroll in Benefit Plans

The UCPath Center and the UCPath Portal is where all employee health and welfare benefits are managed. Once you receive your UC Net ID—benefit elections for newly eligible employees, qualifying mid-year plan changes, and annual open enrollment updates are processed through the UCPath portal by visiting the UCPath portal at https://ucpath.universityofcalifornia.edu. You may also view your personal information, leave balances, income and taxes and retirement and savings plan information.

Dependent Enrollment Verification

UC requires all faculty and staff who enroll household family members into medical, dental and/or vision insurance plans to provide supporting documents to verify the family member's eligibility for coverage. For more information, please review the Family Member Eligibility Verification - Dependent Definitions and Documents Required. 

UnifyHR is the organization responsible for administering the dependent verification process for UC health and welfare plans. UnifyHR sends a Request for Verification packet to employees within 90 days following adding dependents. Recipients must respond by the deadline noted on the cover letter or risk disenrollment of household family members from UC benefits. Employees adding dependents during Open Enrollment will also receive requests for eligibility verification materials to complete the enrollment process. UnifyHR offers assistance in multiple languages. For more information and resources (i.e., definitions, eligibility, FAQs, documentation) please visit the UCnet Family Member Eligibility Verification webpage. 

Benefits Eligibility

UC offers three benefits packages—Full, Mid-level and Core. Your eligibility for a particular package depends on the type of job you have, the percentage of time you work and the length of your appointment.

For more information, please visit the UCnet Benefits Eligibility webpage. 

UC Retirement Information
Making your choice of UC Retirement Plans

A very important benefit available to you is contributing to the UC Retirement Plan and it is equally important that you take swift action to make an election. The sooner you decide which option is best for you—Pension Choice or Savings Choice—the sooner you begin receiving service credit towards vesting and UC contributions. You have 90 days from your retirement option eligibility date to choose a primary retirement benefit; your enrollment window closes once you submit a choice and elections are irrevocable.

To help you learn more about your retirement plan options, visit UC Retirement Choice Program Webinars to sign up for a monthly webinar.

Once you’ve decided which option is best for you, making your choice is fast and easy — view the UC Retirement Choice Program - Steps For Electing Pension Choice or Saving Choice. If you don’t choose a primary retirement option, you will be automatically enrolled in the Pension Choice plan at the end of the 90-day period. If you are ready to make your choice, please visit the UC Retirement Choice website. 

UC Retirement Plan Counseling

Need a little help understanding your options and which pension plan to elect? Fidelity Investments Financial Counselors are available to assist you. Please visit the Fidelity Consultation & Workshops webpage to schedule a counseling appointment with our dedicated Fidelity representative or call a Fidelity Investments consultant for counseling at (800) 558-9182.

UC Retirement At Your Service

Once you have made your benefit and retirement plan elections, UC Retirement at Your Service (UCRAYS) is available to you at any time to view and track your retirement service credit and run estimates of your retirement benefits.

When you have made your pension plan election, please complete the next steps by visiting the UC Retirement at Your Service (UCRAYS) websiteto designate your beneficiaries for your life insurance plans, pension benefits and UC business travel insurance. 

CalPERS/CalSTRS Pension Reciprocity

To learn more about how reciprocity works, who is eligible and how to establish reciprocity, please visit the following resources:

Voluntary Retirement Plans Beneficiary Designation

If you decide to enroll in additional retirement savings options like the 403(b), 457(b) or Defined Compensation Plan (DCP), remember to take the next step and designate your beneficiary for these savings options. These beneficiary elections are separate from your UC Retirement Plan beneficiaries.

Please visit Fidelity NetBenefits website  to enter your beneficiaries.
Post Doctoral Benefits

Financial Planning & Benefits Resources

Catastrophic Leave Sharing Program

The UCR Catastrophic Leave Sharing Program permits an employee to voluntarily donate a portion of their accrued vacation leave to be used by other University employees (who have exhausted all of their own accrued paid leave benefits) to address circumstances such as: a catastrophic injury or illness or an employee caring for a catastrophically ill or injured family member or household member; the death of a family or household member; or a catastrophic casualty loss suffered by an employee due to, for example, a terrorist attack, fire, or natural disaster.

Information | Resources

Catastrophic Leave Sharing Program Guidelines website

Credit Unions
Altura Credit Union

Serving Riverside County and existing to meet the needs of the members by providing many financial savings and planning options available exclusively to UC employees and ways your financial well-being will be positively impacted. The Altura Credit website also details all the benefits and services offered to UCR employees through our partnership.

Information | Resources

Altura Credit Union Representative

Joshua Smith
Phone: (951) 571-5379
Cell: (951) 565-7951
Email: jsmith@alturacu.com

 

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union

Serving the educational community in the state of California, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union was established to help improve each other's lives. SchoolsFirst prides itself on the commitment to work for its members, providing many benefits to the education industry.

Information | Resources

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Representative

Krista Norwood, Membership Development Specialist
Phone: (714) 914-2063
Email: knorwood@schoolsfirstfcu.org

Experian ID Theft Protection

UC provides a comprehensive identity protection program through Experian, paid for by UC for UC employees and their dependent children up to age 18.

Information | Resources

UCnet Identity Theft Protection website

Faculty and Staff Assistance Program

The University of California Riverside has partnered with ComPsych® to assist you and your household family members with counseling regarding personal concerns that may be affecting your personal life and/or job performance. They utilize licensed counselors who are trained and experienced in working with people who find themselves facing normal but unexpected difficulties in their lives.

ComPsych® offers referral services, brief therapy, services for you and your dependents, daytime/evening/weekend appointments, multiple locations, bilingual services, and a 24hr/7-day crisis hotline. Appointments are scheduled away from your place of employment to protect confidentiality and assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information, please visit the UCR Faculty and Staff Assistance Program.

Information | Resources

Please click on the following links for a general orientation for all of the services offered to all UCR faculty and staff by ComPsych. The legal and financial services shared are secondary offerings for those that are not eligible for or enrolled in a UC legal plan.

Family Care Resources

UC offers Bright Horizons Enhanced Family Supports, a comprehensive web-based resource, to help you balance work and family responsibilities. The Bright Horizons programs — including Sittercity, Years Ahead and Bright Horizons preferred enrollment — provide information about pre-screened care providers and services so you can choose the solution that’s right for you.

For more information, visit the UCnet Family Care Resources website.

Farmers Insurance

Farmers Insurance offers personal auto, homeowners, and renter’s insurance available to UCR faculty and staff. Farmers Insurance is a powerful tool that gives you access to multiple quotes from top carriers, so you can choose the auto, home and renter's insurance for your individual needs.

Farmers Insurance Choice provides faculty and staff with insurance quotes. Discounts are in place on individual policies and for bundled auto and home insurance packages. Faculty and staff who purchase policies also have the option to use automatic payments.

This opportunity is made possible by UC Partnership Programs, which works collectively with the UC system to facilitate opportunities for the UC community to interact with business providers. As part of the agreement, revenue from the relationship will go to support UC Riverside.

To learn more about your benefit options and the relationship with Farmers, please call: 866-700-3113.

Farmers Insurance Choice is used by Farmers General Insurance Agency, Inc. (the "Agency") and other independent agencies and captive agents to provide consumers a broad choice of insurance providers. Coverage may be underwritten by carriers unaffiliated with Farmers GroupSelect through the Agency: CA License #0D25399.

Program information provided by the following specific insurers seeking to obtain insurance business underwritten by Farmers Property and Casualty Insurance Company and certain of its affiliates: Economy Fire& Casualty Company, Economy Preferred Insurance Company, Farmers Casualty Insurance Company, Farmers Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Farmers Group Property and Casualty Insurance Company, or Farmers Lloyds Insurance Company of Texas, all with administrative home offices in Warwick, RI. List of licenses at farmers.com. Coverage, rates, discounts, and policy features vary by state and product and are available in most states to those who qualify.>

© 2023 UCPP

Fidelity Investments UC Retirement Plans

If you need to make a decision about which UC Pension plan to select, the following tools and information are available to assist you with your UC Retirement Plan options—included are a few other benefits available to employees at any time. Be sure to visit the various informational webpages, review the presentations, and reach out to the plan representatives to answer questions or provide additional information.

Live Webinars | Overview

The following resources provide a detailed explanation of the primary retirement options.

Contacts

Please contact Brandon Moore for inquiries and about the UC Retirement Plan and Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan options, a consultation or to request a virtual meeting via Zoom.

  • One on One Consultation
    • Consultations with Brandon Moore, Fidelity Retirement Planner
    • Fidelity Appointment Scheduler - schedule an appointment for you one on one consultation

Brandon Moore, CRPC®
Director, Retirement Planner Personal & Workplace Investing
Fidelity Investments
Telephone: (626) 372-3800
Email: brandon.moore@fmr.com 

Adrian Rodriguez, CRPC®
Spanish Speaking  Workplace Financial Consultant Personal & Workplace Investing
Fidelity Investments
Telephone: (951) 498-4648
Email: adrian.rodriguez@fmr.com 
Healthcare Facilitator Program

The Health Care Facilitator (HCF) is here to help faculty and staff, retirees, survivors and their eligible household family members to better understand and obtain the full benefits and services available from the UC-sponsored health plans. Health Care Facilitators are located in the Benefits Offices at all UC campuses.

Assistance and Resolution

The Health Care Facilitator is a knowledgeable counselor who will provide you with confidential one-on-one assistance in resolving health plan issues. There is no charge for the services provided by the Health Care Facilitators.

Information | Resources

UCR Health Care Facilitator

Ranada Palmer, UCR HCF
Health Care Facilitator
email: ranada.palmer@ucr.edu
Phone: (951) 827-2636

Legal Plan

Administered by ARAG UC’s voluntary legal insurance through ARAG provides access to over 15,000 network attorneys nationwide to assist with legal matters like creating wills, estate planning, marriage, buying a home and much more.

For more information, please review: UCnet Legal Plan website

Pet Insurance

Administered by Nationwide, UC offers preferred pricing on pet insurance through Nationwide. Learn more and enroll anytime (not just during Open Enrollment) on the UCnet Pet Insurance website.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

The following information is being provided to bring awareness to the availability of the Federal student loan forgiveness program for all UC employees making payments towards paying off the loan. Please review this information, visit the links to the program website, and contact FedLoan Servicing at (855) 265-4038 if you have any questions about the program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

If you are employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness website to see whether you might qualify.

PSLF Eligibility Requirements and Process

To qualify for PSLF, you must:

  • be employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization (federal service includes U.S. military service);
  • work full-time for that agency or organization;
  • have Direct Loans (or consolidate other federal student loans into a Direct Loan);
  • repay your loans under an income-driven repayment plan; and
  • make 120 qualifying payments.

You must be working for a qualifying employer at the time you submit the form for forgiveness and at the time the remaining balance on your loan is forgiven.

Whether you have made 120 qualifying payments, or working toward loan forgiveness, it is recommended to complete and submit the (PSLF) & Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification & Application (PSLF form) to determine if you are making qualifying PSLF payments. This will help you determine if you are on the right track for loan forgiveness as early as possible.

Submit the form to the UCPath Center for employer certification.

The UCPath Center is responsible for certifying the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) form only and will defer any questions about the program to the PSLF website for answers.

Here are the steps to submit the completed PSLF form to the UCPath Center:

  1. There is a five-day turnaround time for requests.
  2. You must complete Sections 1 and 2 fully prior to submitting the request.
  3. UCPath will complete Sections 3 and 4. These sections should be left blank when the form is submitted.
  4. Please specify along with your request, how and where to return the form.
  5. Written requests can be faxed to (855) 982-2329 or emailed to ucpath@universityofcalifornia.edu.

Submitting an Inquiry

  1. Go to Submit an Inquiry webpage.
  2. Select Topic Payroll.
  3. Select Category Submit Form – Payroll Administration.
  4. Enter your Subject.
  5. Enter your Description.
  6. Verify Best Contact Number and Email.
  7. Click Add Attachment, if necessary.
  8. Click Submit.
  9. Keep copies of all documents and confirmation email from UCPath acknowledging receipt.

After UCPath signs the form, send the completed form to FedLoan Servicing, the U.S. Department of Education’s federal loan servicer for the PSLF Program. You may mail the form to the following address or fax to (717) 720-1628:

U.S. Department of Education
FedLoan Servicing
P.O. Box 69184
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9184

If FedLoan Servicing is already your servicer, you may upload your PSLF form on their website. For questions, review the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program FAQ webpage or contact FedLoan Servicing at (855) 265-4038

Tuition Discounts

UC supports employees who want to advance their education and offers tuition and fee discounts to those who are eligible. Tuition discounts are not available for certain self-funded academic programs and extension programs.

For more information, please review UCnet | Tuition Discounts.

UC’s Adoption Assistance Plan

UC supports eligible faculty and staff who wish to expand their immediate families through adoption. UC’s Adoption Assistance Plan, administered by WEX Health, provides financial support through reimbursement of up to $5,000 of eligible expenses per adoption. For more information, Adoption Assistance Plan | UCnet (universityofcalifornia.edu)

UC Findhelp

The University of California has partnered with Findhelp, the largest network of social assistance programs and resources in the United States.  Findhelp is a social care network that connects people and programs, making it easier to find support and social services within your community. Such as connecting you with resources to assist with finding a job, access affordable food, receive medical care, and more — all in one place.  Findhelp is available to all UC employees, including those who are not benefits-eligible, and their family members.  

Staff from Findhelp have already conducted introductory and high-level overviews of their platform.  If there is interest among the benefits professionals, Findhelp is ready to offer more in-depth training sessions that provide a deeper dive into the capabilities of this organization.  More information can be found at Find Help - UC Health Plans.

Findhelp has personalized the above home page with the UC logo.  However, please note that the site is public, only lists resources, and is therefore available to anyone with internet access.  Please view the Findhelp flyer for additional details.

UC Plus Supplemental Health Plans

Administered by Prudential

UC’s accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity plans pay cash benefits directly to you when you or an enrolled dependent experiences a qualifying injury, critical illness, or hospital stay.

For more information, please visit the UC Plus Supplemental Health Plans website.

UCR Resources

Early Childhood Services

Teachers provide developmentally appropriate experiences in math, science, language, art, music, motor skills and social/emotional skills. They use a range of learning materials including books, puzzles, computers and art materials with regular access to outdoor play equipment. Teachers follow a daily schedule, prepare weekly lesson plans and conduct two parent-teacher conferences each year. Parents receive a written progress report at the end of each year.

We provide breakfast, lunch and a morning and/or afternoon snack. Our active parent association meets regularly to plan family-oriented events and fundraisers. Students and researchers are welcome at ECS, which features observation rooms that are available to parents as well.

For more information, please visit the Early Childhood Services website.
Faculty Staff Wellness Program

UCR cares about your health. The UCR Wellness Program focuses on promoting awareness and education, motivation for positive behavior changes, and influencing campus practices and policy to support a healthy environment. The program was created to encourage all faculty, staff, and retirees to live healthier lifestyles and create a culture of health throughout the campus. UCR prioritizes the health and quality of life of the campus community and offers resources and expertise to support a healthy and high performing workforce.

Information | Resources

Contact

Hung Wu
Wellness Program Coordinator
Workplace Health & Wellness
Email: hung.wu@ucr.edu
Phone: (951) 827-1009

Lactation Accommodation 

In an effort to promote a family-friendly work environment for breastfeeding mothers, UC Riverside has expanded lactation room locations. Faculty, staff and students will have access to lactation rooms and alternate options to ensure nursing mothers have access to a private space for lactation purposes. Human Resources (HR) is collaborating with the campus community to ensure lactation rooms are located within close proximity to work locations.

Private lactation rooms are available. These beautifully decorated lactation rooms are sanitary, located in a private space and have locking doors. Each room is equipped with a table, electrical outlet, mini refrigerator, microwave, comfortable chair and a multi-user hospital grade Ameda breast pump. 

Information | Resources 

UCR Lactation Accommodation Program website

Professional Development
The Employee and Organizational Development (EOD) team provides many opportunities - classes and workshops, career programs, management development, UC systemwide programs and certificate programs. 
 

Information | Resources

UCR Athletic All Sports Pass

The All Sports Pass is a great way to support Highlander student-athletes, catch every game, and save money in the process. All Sports Passes are available for $80 per person, and grant the bearer general admission to all UC Riverside ticketed athletics events: Current and retired university employees are also welcome to purchase up to three All Sports Passes each.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit the UCR All Sports Pass webpage. 

UCR Bookstore

The UCR Bookstore offers a 10% discount to all faculty and staff on most items purchased in store and online. Simple show your ID at the point of sale or use this coupon online. 

To shop online visit, https://ucr.bncollege.com. 

UCR Dining Plans
Campus Dining Plans help you save money while getting the most out of the dozen-plus delicious, nutritious, and sustainable Dining Venues on campus! UCR dining features healthy, high-quality, and multicultural menus that include the full range of diet preferences, from vegan and vegetarian to gluten-friendly and halal. Our menus are made fresh daily in small batches by chefs from our talented culinary team. 
 
Learn more about the various dining plan options on the UCR Dining Plan website.
UCR Faculty and Staff Discounts
UCR employees are eligible for an abundance of discounts. Visit the UCR Discounts webpage where you will find discounts on everything from phone service to shopping, lodging and dining around the UCR campus.
UCR Botanical Gardens
The UCR Botanic Gardens is a living museum curated to inspire and facilitate education, research, and interpretation of the natural world. Please view calendar  for hours and events.

The mission of the UCRBG is to promote campus and community engagement in nature, gardens, and conservation. We aim to create a sense of place at UCR where visitors can experience, learn about, and help protect our nature oasis.

Interested in becoming a member, please visit the Friends of the Botanical Gardens website.

Membership Benefits include:

  • Free Admission
  • Early access to, or discounts at, plant sales, shopping at members-only sales
  • 10% discount at participating local nurseries and garden centers
  • eNews and quarterly digital UCRBG Newsletter
  • Discounted and members-only Gardens educational events
  • Use of UCRBG Horticultural Library
  • American Horticultural Society (AHS) Reciprocal Garden Network: entitles a member to special admission privileges and discounts at 360+ gardens throughout North America (local visitor exception)

For more information, please review: UCR Botanical Gardens website

UCR R' Card
The UCR ID Card (R'Card) is an interactive ID that facilitates commerce and access across the campus (and beyond) for students, staff and faculty. You will want to keep it with you at all times.
 

Visit the UCR Card Services website for more information.

UCR Recreation Center

At the University of California, Riverside's Recreation department, our programs help Highlanders develop a positive attitude toward life-term fitness and healthy lifestyles, both mental and physical. Our programs, services and facilities are designed to enhance personal and academic success by providing a forum for people of similar interests and skills to meet and participate.

  • Free One Month Membership. Enjoy an opportunity to try out the Student Recreation Center membership for a full month at no charge. Occurs during the first month of each quarter.
  • For more information, please review: https://recreation.ucr.edu/

The UCR Student Recreation Center's Outdoor Excursions Shop has an extensive library of geographical maps and outdoor gear for your next adventure! Rental equipment is available to any UCR student and faculty/staff or community members over the age of 18 with a valid government-issued ID.

UCR Staff Assembly

UCR Staff Assembly is an association of many employees dedicated to promoting the interests and welfare of all UCR staff. It seeks to inform, involve, connect and recognize staff in one of the fastest-growing campuses in the UC system.

For more information, visit the UCR Staff Assembly website.