Benefit Information
Postdoctoral Scholars are eligible to participate in the Postdoctoral Scholar Benefit Plans which include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, short term disability, and voluntary long term disability. In addition, Postdoctoral Scholars are required to contribute to the University of California Defined Contribution Plan (DCP) as Safe Harbor participants, and may make voluntary contributions to any of the University of California Retirement Savings Program plans. In addition, the University shall pay the Workers Compensation Assessment and the Benefit Broker Fee for all Postdoctoral Scholars. All Postdoctoral Scholars are provided with repatriation and evacuation insurance.
Details of the plans and monthly premiums are available through the Gallagher Benefits Services website.
There is also Information on benefits with regard to domestic partnerships. The University is currently in the process of creating a new childcare subsidy for postdocs, which will be announced and communicated as soon as it is open.
Postdocs are obligated to contribute to the monthly health benefits plan for both the HMO and PPO. Postdoc Paid Directs who do not have an on-campus source also paying their salary will be billed the monthly premium by Gallagher Benefits Services. Postdoc Fellows will have their monthly premium taken out of their salary.
In some cases, the UC departmental contributions paid to the UC Postdoctoral Scholars benefits (health, dental, vision, life, disability, accidental death and dismemberment insurances) on your behalf, are considered taxable income or (imputed income) per US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations. Benefits provided to the domestic partner of a postdoctoral fellow also are taxable whether or not the domestic partner qualifies as a dependent.
“Imputed income” is the term the IRS applies to the value of any benefit or service that should be considered income for the purpose of calculating federal taxes. However, the University’s withholding and reporting responsibilities regarding health benefits furnished to a fellowship recipient vary depending on whether the recipient is a U.S. citizen (including a resident alien) or a nonresident alien and are based on IRS regulations.
Initial eligibility requires an appointment at 100% time for at least 3 months or 50-99% time for at least 12 months. To retain eligibility a Postdoc is required to maintain an average regular paid time of at least 17.5 hours per week (43.75%).
Enrollment Process
To compare the benefit plans available, please go to the Gallagher Benefits Services website. You will find detailed plan information and premiums costs. If you have specific questions or concerns about coverage or plan benefits, you may contact Gallagher Benefits Services Customer Service at 1-800-254-1758.
You have a 31-day enrollment period, beginning on the date you became eligibility, to complete your benefits enrollment. To enroll yourself and family members into benefits, please go to the UCPath portal. Once logged in, you may use the Enroll in Benefits Guide to help you through the enrollment process if necessary.
If you have additional questions, you may contact Campus Benefits at benefits@ucdavis.edu or the UCPath Center at 855-982-7284 for assistance.