Kern County Employee Benefits: Employee Benefits Summary

Employee Benefits Summary

For general questions about any of the following Contact Health Benefits (661-868-3182)

Bargaining Units 1 - 8 & F, J, L, P, Q, S, T, V & Y

Item	Contact(s)
Employee Health Benefits
Most employees hired on or after April 15, 1997 must pay 20% of the cost of their health benefits. Health Benefits are provided free to full-time employees hired before April 15, 1997.
Medical Plan - Group medical coverage is provided to employees and their eligible dependents (American Administrative Group POS, formerly Gallagher Benefits). Coverage includes prescription drug programs through which employees can obtain covered prescriptions at reduced rates from participating pharmacies (CatalystRx) or at usually more reduced rates by mail order (Walgreen's - the County's mail service pharmacy location is Tempe.)	CAO - Health Benefits (661) 868-3182 American Administrative Group 1 (866) 568-KERN 1 (866) 568-5376 CatalystRx 1(888) 869-4600 Walgreen's 1(800) 635-3070
Dental Plans - Group dental coverage is provided to employees and their eligible dependents who are enrolled in the medical plan. There are two plans the employee may choose. One is a 'Preferred Provider' plan under which the patient can obtain service either from a Preferred Provider dentist (with the plan paying 90%) or any other dentist with lower benefits paid by the plan (Independence PPO Dental). The other is an HMO type plan under which the employee selects one permanent dentist from a pre-approved list and has cost limits (Liberty Dental Plan DHMO).	Liberty Dental 1 (888) 273-3179
Vision Plan - Group vision coverage is provided to employees and their eligible dependents who are enrolled in the medical plan (Vision Service Plan or "VSP").	VSP 1 (800) 877-7195

Item	Contact
Retirement-Related Benefits
Retiree Health Benefit Plans - Health coverage may be purchased by retirees. Cost is based upon the plan selected and how many persons are covered. A small portion of the cost is paid by the County in the form of a health insurance stipend. For participating eligible employees retiring between ages 50 and 64, with 20 or more years of qualified service, the Retiree Health Premium Supplement Program (RHPSP) may pay a fixed amount equal to 50-100% (depending on years of service) of the initial cost of the single County employee self-insured premium. Employees who are under the age of 45 when hired participate and make mandatory contributions into the RHPSP through payroll deductions (labeled RETIRE HEALTHBEN SUPP), currently in the amount of 1.62% of base pay. Details	County Administrative Office (CAO) Health Benefits (661) 868-3182
Retirement - The Section 401(a) defined benefit retirement plan requires employer and employee contributions. Employee contribution rates for all General and some Safety members are based on age at entry OR, for certain Safety bargaining units, a flat "average" rate. Benefits are determined by years of service, highest 12 months compensation, and age upon retirement. Subject to certain limitations, prior public service, prior Kern County/Special District Service, extra-help time, and military time may be "purchased" to enhance the retirement benefit. Details (PDF - opens new window)	Retirement Association (661) 868-3790 http://www.kcera.org
Deferred Compensation - This Section 457 plan (administered by Great-West Life) allows employees to contribute on a pre-tax basis to an account which can be invested in any combination of approximately twenty funds. Employees in bargaining units 1 - 6 (SEIU) hired after October 27, 2007 may be eligible for a County matched contribution. Normal contributions are limited to $15,500 per year (in 2007). The tax savings and minimal fees allow for a sound retirement supplement.	Great-West Life Susan Leedy (661) 868-3467 http://www.kcttc.co.kern.ca.us/kcdcp.cfm

Item	Contact
Other Employee Benefits
Direct Deposit - This program allows an employee to electronically deposit their total net pay each payday into a checking account at any financial institution. The funds are available by payday morning. A pay stub is delivered to the employee on payday with complete earnings and deduction information. Beginning January 1, 2008, all County employees in bargaining units 1 - 6 (SEIU) will be required to receive their pay via direct deposit.	Departmental Payroll Clerk
Payroll Deduction to Credit Union - This program allows an employee to have an amount of $25 or more sent to an account at Kern Federal Credit Union each payday. The funds are available by Thursday after each payday. Credit Union - Membership in Kern Federal Credit Union is offered to employees of Kern County. A variety of banking services is offered including free checking and convenient ATM locations (Kern Federal Credit Union, Automall, County Administrative Center, Superior Court, Public Services, Kern Medical Center, Child Support Services, Beale Library, Health Department, SE Community Center and for employees only at Human Services, Fire Department Headquarters, and Sheriff Headquarters). Loan and insurance payments can be made automatically through payroll deduction.	Kern Federal Credit Union 1717 Truxtun Ave. (661) 327-9461 or (Out of Area) 1 (800) 336-KERN
U.S. Savings Bonds - Savings bonds may be purchased automatically through payroll deduction. The minimum deduction per bi-weekly payroll period is $5.77.	National Bond & Trust 1 (800) 426-9314
United Way - Employees may make contributions to United Way through payroll deduction.	United Way (661) 834-1820
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - This program provides confidential, professional counseling to employees and dependents experiencing significant personal problems such as family or marital stress, misuse of alcohol or drugs, legal or financial difficulty or emotional disorders. Up to three evaluation sessions are free to health benefits eligible employees and their dependents. Self referral is available so the participant may use the service confidentially.	Alan Pevar & Associates (661) 322-4000 or 1-888-KERN-EAP
Employee Wellness Program (EWP) - This voluntary program is designed to improve the quality of life by evaluating an employee's present health status and making suggestions for the future. The program includes a Personal Wellness Profile, Health Screenings and Incentives. The program is open to employees who are covered by health benefits.	Bakersfield Family Medical Center ("BFMC") - Sean Kenny (661) 846-4654
Bus Passes - - Monthly passes for GET may be purchased at the following locations: County Administrative Center (Treasurer/Tax Collector), Public Services, and Human Services.	N/A
Life, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness & Long Term Disability Insurance - Life insurance ($10,000) is provided to benefits eligible employees in bargaining units 1 - 6, 9, C, I, J, P, Q, S, T, V and Y. Life insurance is also available by payroll deduction through New York Life (Mills & Marling), Jefferson Pilot (SEIU), ING or TransAmerica (Chimienti & Associates). Hospital Indemnity and Critical Illness coverage is available through American Bankers Life (Chimienti & Associates). Long Term Disability insurance is available by payroll deduction through Assurant (Chimienti & Associates). Certain employee unions offer insurance programs, also (see 'Employee Unions' heading below).	County provided life insurance: CAO-Health Benefits (661) 868-3182 Mills & Marling (661) 324-1772 SEIU (661) 325-7487
Prepaid Legal Plan - Legal Club of America offers a prepaid legal plan which provides specific free and discounted legal services. (Chimienti & Associates)	Chimienti & Assoc 1 (877) 733-1670 x 17
Flexible Benefits - (Kern$Flex I) Employees may contribute by payroll deduction on a pre tax basis to dependent care and unreimbursed medical expense spending accounts (Administrative Solutions). They may also purchase their Health Benefits (CAO-Health Benefits), short term disability, accident, and cancer insurance plans (Chimienti & Associates) by payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis. Flexible Spending Account Claim Form	Chimienti & Assoc 1-877-733-1670 x 17 Administrative Solutions, Inc 1 (866) 777-1320
Paid Leave - Most County employees receive 11 paid holidays and accrue 8-12 days per year of sick leave. Family sick leave is allowed up to the specified number of hours to care for specified family members when necessary. Catastrophic Leave is available in specific circumstances. Vacation is accrued at different rates based upon years of service. Most employees earn vacation in the range of 12 to 28 days per year. Refer to your Memorandum Of Understanding (M.O.U.) at www.co.kern.ca.us/cao/labor/ for specific information.	Automatic
Longevity Pay - Except for bargaining units 7, 8, F and L, employees with 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 or more years of service receive longevity pay of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% of base pay.	Automatic
Uniform and Tool Allowance - Authorized classifications receive specified allowances for uniforms and tools as specified in the current Memorandum of Understanding.	Automatic by Departmental Payroll Clerk
Professional Fee Reimbursement - Authorized classifications may be reimbursed up to $500 for certain federal or state license/registration fees as stated in the Administrative Procedures Manual.	Automatic by Departmental Payroll Clerk
Employee Unions - Most employees are represented by an employee union. Most employees hired on or after August 19, 1992 must contribute to their respective union for representation by payroll deduction for either dues (union member) or a representational fee (non-member). Employees hired before that date may also join the union if they wish. The unions offer various benefits, some of which may be paid for by payroll deduction. Employment Agreements (MOUs) Additional Union Information	SEIU & SEIU-CJU: (661) 325-7487 KLEA (661) 392-4430 KCFFU (661) 871-1301 KCPA (661) 868-2340 KCPOA, KCDOA, KC SCA

This summary is not intended to provide an entire description of the benefit plans. Please call the number listed or contact Health Benefits to request more complete information for any of the programs listed above.

Revised 11/07. (Note: Benefits may differ from those listed above due to changes in the Memoranda of Understanding.)

Last Modified
3/26/2008

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