General Benefits FAQs
Health Plans and Programs
Q: How are my benefits affected if I go on unpaid leave?
How the leave will affect your benefits depends on the type of leave you will be on. Read more on this by visiting the UCNet page, Taking a leave of absence. Please review the Leave without pay booklet to learn more, or schedule a meeting with a benefits representative.
Q: Does the Lab offer commuter benefits savings programs?
Yes, we offer a commuter benefits savings program. They can be viewed here.
Q: How do I know if I am eligible to use the Bright Horizons/Back-up Care Program and how do I register?
To find eligibility and instructions registering for the Backup Care please see the Backup Care website located on the A-Z index under B for Backup Care.
Q: Why are my options only for PPO plans and not HMO plans?
Offered medical plans are based on your home address listed on the UCPath Portal. If your home address is outside the HMO's geographical coverage area then UC Path Portal will only offer the PPO plans available in your area. You may verify the providers in your area by checking the HMO's provider finder tools.
Additional Medical Plans FAQs are found on UCNet
Enrollment and Plan Changes
Q: My employment with the Lab is ending. How do I continue my benefits?
Please take a look at the Benefits Ending page
Q: What should I do if I still need to receive the family verification paperwork?
If you have questions about what to do in the process, please go to the UnifyHR website or contact UnifyHR at 1-844-718-3970, and a UnifyHR representative can help you.
Q: How do I establish a Domestic Partnership for benefits?
Here are some great resources that will explain how to establish a Domestic Partnership
You may be subject to imputed income:
Under current Internal Revenue Service rules, the value of the contribution UC makes toward the cost of medical coverage provided to certain family members who are not your tax dependents may be considered imputed income that will be subject to federal income taxes, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and any other required payroll taxes. Sometimes, you may also have imputed income for California state income tax purposes.
Q: How do I add or change my beneficiaries?
For Pension, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Log into your UCRAYs account
For your Supplemental Retirement Plans, you may change your beneficiaries by logging into your Fidelity account.
If you are enrolled in the Health Saving Plan and have the Health Equity Account, log into your Health Equity account to update your beneficiaries.
Retirement
Q: How do I enroll in the Retirement plans?
Career/Term employees
The University of California understands the importance of planning for your retirement, so participating in the University of California Retirement Plan (UCRP) is mandatory. It’s essential to understand the pivotal role you have in shaping your financial future.
Postdoc and limited employees
Postdoc, part-time, seasonal, temporary employees, and non-exempt student employees participate in the Defined Contribution Plan (the “DC Plan,” a 401(a) plan), also known as the Safe Harbor retirement plan. You are automatically enrolled in the DC Plan for the length of your employment at the Lab. Safe Harbor participants contribute 7.5% of their wages, on a pretax basis, in lieu of contributing to Social Security. Your contributions begin on the first day of the eligible appointment. When you leave the Lab, you will be able to either roll over the funds to another retirement plan or withdraw the money (subject to taxes withholdings).
To learn more, click here: Safe Harbor plan.
If you are a represented employee by the following unions:
UPTE- Research Support Professionals (RX)
UPTE- Professional and Technical Employees (TX)
Automatically enrolled in the UCRP 2013 Tier.
For questions on why you are participating in the 2013 tier, please get in touch with your union representative.
Q: How do I enroll in the Voluntary/ Supplemental retirement plans (403b, 457b, DC after-tax)?
Enrolling in the Supplemental retirement plans by logging in to your Fidelity account.
Additional Retirement Plans FAQs are on the UCNet website.
Postdoc Benefits Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I am a Postdoc and have questions about my benefits. Who can I contact?
If you are a current Postdoc and have specific questions regarding your plan, please contact the Postdoc Scholar Benefits Plan Administrator, Gallagher Benefits at UniversityServices.GBS.psbp@ajg.com, or call 1-800-254-1758.
Q. I’m a Postdoctoral Scholar how do I enroll in my health benefits?
Log in to UCPATH
Q: I’m a new Postdoc and I don’t have my ID card. How can I access medical care?
For step by step instruction on how to use your coverage before your medical ID card arrives please visit Locating a Provider and Accessing Care
Q: I’m a Postdoc, how can I submit a claim for reimbursement?
For step by step instruction on how to submit a claim to any of your insurance providers
Q: I’m a Postdoc, how can I get help in finding health providers?
You may find step-by-step instructions on finding providers for medical, dental, and vision services on the Gallagher website.
Q: I am a Postdoc from another country and I’m not familiar with the US healthcare system.
For a brief read on how the US health care systems work, you may find the article on the Gallagher website.
Q: I am a Postdoc and my appointment with the Lab is ending, how do I continue my benefits?
When your postdoc appointment terminates and you leave the university, you may continue your insurance coverage for any of the PSBP medical, dental, and/or vision plans in which you and your family members are enrolled by electing COBRA Continuation Coverage.
Misc. Questions
Q: Where should I go if I have questions about my vacation/sick time/holiday pay?
For payroll related questions please submit an inquiry on Payroll's portal
Q: Where do I go to get help with my paycheck?
For payroll related questions please send your email directly to:
Submit an inquiry on Payroll's portal
Or contact UC Path directly 855-982-7284