Employee and Retirement Benefits

Open Enrollment and Life Status Change Information

You can enroll in or make changes to your benefits each year during open enrollment (normally held in late summer). The changes made will go into effect October 1.

Certain changes in your life—such as marriage, divorce or a new baby—allow you to make certain changes to your benefits outside of open enrollment. This is known as a Qualified Status Change. If you experience a Qualified Status Change, you have 30 calendar days from the date of the event to make changes.

For questions regarding any life status changes, please contact our Benefits Human Resources Specialist at (916) 660-7104.

Health Care Benefits

Medical Benefits

You have the opportunity to enroll in one of four (4) Kaiser Permanente HMO medical plans through SISC provided that you live or work inside the Kaiser service area. Each of these medical plans is an HMO and offers in-network coverage only. If you do not select a primary care physician when you enroll, Kaiser will assign one to you. 

You also have the opportunity to enroll in one of three (3) Blue Shield medical plans through SISC. Each plan offers in-and out-of-network coverage, but you will pay less for services when you see in-network providers. If you live and work outside of the Kaiser service area, the Blue Shield plans are the only medical plans available to you.

Dental Benefits

Sierra College offers voluntary dental coverage through Delta Dental. You have the opportunity to choose from a DHMO plan or three (3) PPO dental plan options. Each type of plan has unique advantages. Understanding the differences between them helps you choose the coverage that best meets the needs of you and your family.

Vision Benefits

You and your dependents have access to three (3) voluntary vision coverage plans through Vision Service Plan (VSP). The plans pay benefits for both in-network and out-of-network services. However, you will receive maximum value from your vision benefits when you choose in-network providers. If you see a network provider, you will pay copays for most services. If you receive care outside the network, you will need to pay the full cost and file a claim to be reimbursed for a portion of the costs.

Disability, Life Insurance and Income Protection

Effective October 1, 2024, all lines of Life and Disability coverages will now be offered through Voya Financial. This includes the Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Life, Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverages.

Pre-Tax Savings and Retirement Accounts

Flexible Spending Account

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows you to set aside money from your paycheck to pay Health Care and Dependent Care expenses with tax-free dollars. These plans are administered by Sterling Administration and are in effect on a calendar year basis, which means they renew every January 1.  Open enrollment for the FSA plans takes place in October each year. When you contribute to a FSA, your pre-tax contributions reduce your taxable income.

Health Savings Account

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is available if you are enrolling in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), such as the Kaiser HMO HDHP or Blue Shield PPO HDHP Plan B. You may be eligible to open a Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for expenses on a pre-tax basis, such as eligible medical, dental and/or vision expenses.

• Important Note: HSAs involve very complex rules, including limitations on eligibility, contributions and expense reimbursement. Federal and state tax penalties may be assessed upon you if these requirements are not met. For more information, refer to Sterling Administration. You should talk to a tax advisor about your personal circumstances with respect to the HSA rules. Another helpful resource is IRS Publication 969.

Pre-Tax Retirement Options

A 403(b) or 457(b) plan allows you to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. Your contributions are voluntary, and you can choose the amount based on your retirement goals. For more specific information on your employer’s plan design, please reference the Meaningful Notice, which can be accessed by searching for your employer forms and information at TSA Consulting Group. 

Retirement Accounts

Depending upon the classification type and specific circumstances, Sierra College employees are covered under:  

• California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CALPERS) retiree benefits or
• California State Teacher’s Retirement System (CALSTRS) retiree benefits 

Please visit the websites for additional information or email HR@sierracollege.edu to discuss your specific circumstances.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

All Sierra College employees (full-time/part-time faculty, managers, classified, student employees) and members of your household have access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Anthem EAP. They provide quick and easy access to confidential counseling and referral services to help you deal with daily work and life challenges, including legal, identity protection, etc.

This service is available at no cost to you, your dependents or household members. 

For more information, view the various EAP resources on InsideSierra (log in required). 

Wellness Support and Discounts

We offer additional resources to employees, including discounts and emotional wellness support through BenefitHub. 

Medical Leaves, Worker’s Compensation, Reasonable Accommodation and Ergonomics

At Sierra College, we want to create a supportive environment for all of our employees. For information and guidance regarding Leaves of Absence (log in required), Workers Compensation (log in required), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Reasonable Accommodation, and Ergonomics, please contact the Human Resource Specialist at (916) 660-7108, or email James Sumner at jsumner1@sierracollege.edu.

Please be aware that each employee situation is unique, so it is advised to contact the HR Specialist to help with all categories listed above. This will help expedite processes and ensure employees are provided correct information according to State, Federal and contractual directives.

For more information, view the resources on InsideSierra (log in required).  

Retiree Benefits 

Community College Benefit Trust (CCEBT)

The Retiree Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan of the Community College Employees Benefit Trust was established July 1, 2004 by the Federation of United School Employees, LIUNA Local 1212, AFL-CIO, the Sierra College Faculty Association, and the Sierra Joint Community College District Management Group. The Management Group has subsequently organized into the Sierra College Management Association.