CSU Voluntary Benefits - Plans Available Year-Round

Open Enrollment may be over, but there are still benefits you can enroll in year-round!
 
The Payroll and Benefits Office would like to remind you of additional voluntary benefits that may be available to you. These benefits do not require you to enroll during Open Enrollment, you are able to enroll at any time.
 
California Casualty – Auto, Home and Renters Insurance
Discounted auto, home and renters insurance is offered exclusively to all CSU employees through California Casualty. Employees can save an average of over $500 and receive unique benefits like: free/waived deductible if your vehicle is hit/vandalized on campus, identity theft protection, 12-month rate lock guarantee, no charge personal property coverage up to $500 and payroll deduction available at no cost to active employees or monthly E-Z Pay Plans with skip payment options. For more insurance information, safety resources or to get a quote visit calcas.com/csu or call (866) 680-5142.
 
Fidelity - 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan
Fidelity Investments is the administrator/record keeper for the CSU 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan. This is a voluntary employer sponsored retirement savings account that is meant to supplement CalPERS pension and Social Security income in retirement. The benefit allows employees to put extra income aside for retirement in a tax deferred retirement savings account where the money can be invested. To learn more about Fidelity visit: netbenefits.com/calstate or call (800) 642-7131 and mention CSU plan number 50537.
 
ScholarShare College Savings Plan
Eligible employees may participate in California's tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan. The plan is sponsored by the ScholarShare Investment Board, an agency of the State of California, and is managed by TIAA-CREF. Earnings in your ScholarShare plan account grow tax-deferred. When you withdraw money to pay for qualified education expenses, you pay no federal or California state income tax. There is no employer matching contribution.For more information or to enroll online visit www.scholarshare.com.
 
Savings Plus Program 401(k) and 457 
Administered by CalHR/State of California. Enrollment and changes are handled between employees and CalHR.(CSU does not administer the 401(k) and 457 plans.) Eligible employees may participate in the IRC 401(k) Thrift Plan and the IRC 457 Deferred Compensation plans. There is no employer matching contribution.
For more information or to enroll online visit the Savings Plus Program official website.
 
Empathia - LifeMatters Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Enrollment is Automatic and Free to Employees and their Families
The LifeMatters Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a safe, confidential space to consult about various concerns. Anything and everything discussed in the context of a consultation is privileged information and protected by law. When you or your family need useful ideas, helpful resources, or reliable professional care, LifeMatters is just a phone call away at (800) 367-7474. The benefit can be accessed 24/7/365 and services provided directly by LifeMatters are free. If you are referred to outside services, you will be advised about your costs, if any. To learn more about this free benefit visit mylifematters.com. Note: There is no need to enroll in this benefit, however you will need the campus specific password (sonoma) to access this resource.
 
Nationwide - Pet Insurance
Whether they have two legs or four, every family member deserves quality health care. That’s why this pet health insurance gives you the freedom to use any vet, anywhere, including specialist and emergency providers. Nationwide offers various benefit options for your pets. This insurance can cover your pet’s accidents, illness and even preventive care and wellness services. Plans are available for dogs, cats, birds, small mammals and exotics (such as reptiles). Employees may enroll or cancel at any time. To learn more about this plan and/or to enroll, visit petinsurance.com/calstate or call (877) 738-7874.
 
The Standard - Life, Disability, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
The Standard offers voluntary coverage which includes Life, Disability, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance to employees and dependents of the CSU. Life Insurance can help protect your loved ones from financial hardship in the event you pass away by helping to cover childcare, housing, daily living and funeral costs while also providing you benefits you can access today such as Travel Assistance and the Life Services Toolkit. Disability Insurance can help protect your paycheck in the event you cannot work because of a covered illness or injury. AD&D insurance covers you and your dependents in the event of death or dismemberment as a result of a covered accident. These insurance plans are in addition to the coverage CSU provides many employees at no cost. Employees covered by CSU’s employer paid long-term disability are not eligible for the voluntary disability insurance coverage. To learn more about the Standard and available voluntary benefits offered, visit standard.com/mybenefits/csu/ or call (800) 378-5745.

Update Beneficiaries
It’s important to periodically review your beneficiaries to ensure that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes. Major life events, such as a change in marital status or the birth of a child, are especially important times to review and consider changing your beneficiaries. The following are suggested areas to update.

Final Pay - Designation of Person Authorized to Receive Warrants
The Designation of Person Authorized to Receive Warrants (STD 243) is the form you complete to designate your beneficiary to receive any outstanding pay owed to you by Sonoma State University, including settlement pay, vacation, CTO, etc.

The designation remains in effect throughout your employment with SSU, unless the designation is superseded by the filing of a new designation. This form is maintained by Payroll and Benefits. 

Retirement and Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation - contact plans directly

If you have any additional questions, please visit our website or contact Payroll and Benefits at payroll@sonoma.edu or 4-2793.