Additional Employee Information
Fiscal Services
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Benefit Information 403(b) and 457(b)
- Payroll eMail Information
- Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts and Voluntary Insurance Plans TDS
- Voluntary Group Life Insurance
- Workers Compensation Information
Employee Assistance Program
In today’s fast-paced world, juggling work and your personal life—and all the associated demands and pressures—can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you have somewhere to turn—the employee assistance program (EAP).
The EAP helps you resolve personal problems before they negatively affect your health, relationships with others or job performance. You can contact the EAP 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling one toll-free number.
The link below has more information about the program.
Employee Benefit Information 403(b) and 457(b)
As an employee of Oak Park Unified School District, we are pleased to inform you that you may be eligible to participate in our 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans. Our 403(b) or 457(b) plan allows you to contribute money directly from your paycheck into a retirement account you choose from our approved list. Participation in the plan not only helps you prepare for a more financially secure future, it can provide significant tax advantages today.
Did You Know? As public school employees, you may receive a pension from either STRS or PERS upon your retirement, however, when you retire your pension will not be 100% of the income you’re making now.It’s important to understand the benefits offered to you through the district. The supplemental retirement plans we offer can help you reduce or eliminate your retirement income gap. Learn more about these benefits.
Speak with a Benefits Counselor
Our plan administrator, Tax Deferred Solutions, assists us in offering our employees an effective opportunity to participate by providing you with free educational resources and information regarding our benefits.
Not sure where to start? No problem! Here are some common questions that are asked:
- I’m not sure how my plan works; can you explain it to me?
- What’s the difference between a 403(b) and 457(b)?
- What are the 2019 contribution limits? Do I qualify for a catch-up contribution?
- What is a Roth retirement account?
- What investment providers are authorized under my plan?
- How can I save for retirement without changing my take home pay?
- What are the benefits of the new Preferred Mortgage Assistance program?
The best part of this opportunity to obtain information is that any questions you have can be handled over the phone when it’s convenient for you! Request the information below.
chat with a Benefits Counselor
I want to learn more about the benefits offered to me by the district.
To begin deferrals to the plan, submit a completed Salary Amendment Agreement form to your employer. You can also find the forms on the www.403bcompare.com website and may be submitted at any time throughout the year for starting, stopping or changing elective deferrals.
Payroll eMail Information
New Option for Electronic Paystub – Authorization for E-mail Delivery
If you are currently enrolled for direct deposit of your payroll check and receive a printed copy of your paystub, you will have the option of receiving your paystub via e-mail beginning with your April payroll. The paystub will be sent directly to your district e-mail account. This new feature is optional and if you choose not to participate, your paystub will continue to be sent to your workplace or mailed to you as in the past.
Certificated and classified substitutes
If you are a substitute employee and have signed up for direct deposit, you can have your electronic paystub sent to your home or other designated email account.
Authorization to e-mail paystub
By completing and returning an authorization form, you will receive electronic delivery of your paystub from the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) Payroll Department to your district e-mail address in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.
eMail Authorization Form Link Below:
Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts and Voluntary Insurance Plans TDS
SECTION 125 FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS AND VOLUNTARY INSURANCE
Administered for OPUSD by Tax Deferred Services (TDS), an FSA allows you to use pre-tax money to pay for out-of-pocket medical, dental, or child day care and dependent care expenses. It also allows you to pay for things that our health plan might not cover, such as hearing aids or laser eye surgery. In addition to FSAs, TDS also offers other great benefits available through pre-tax contributions, such as Critical Illness Insurance, Cancer Insurance, and Accident Insurance, as well as supplemental insurance programs with post-tax contributions, including Life Insurance, Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability.
Section 125 Annual Re-Election Starts Monday, 7/11/2022. Call 1-800-863-9019 to enroll today!
It’s that time of the year again to make your selections regarding the district’s Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Voluntary Insurance.
Summary of Available Options
- Pre-tax medical flexible spending account
- Pre-tax dependent care flexible spending account
- Other important pre-tax benefits:
- Cancer insurance
- Accident insurance
- Critical illness insurance
Like last year, an employee support center is available to assist our employees during the Section 125 Re-Election. As an added service, you may also receive a call from a Benefits Counselor to explain plan options. Call 1-800-863-9019 and speak with a Benefits Counselor or NEW this year. You can schedule an appointment with a Benefits Counselor. They will answer your questions, review your options and enroll you right over the phone, it’s that easy. You must renew your election in medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts each year!
Benefits Counselors are available Monday – Thursday, 11 am to 7:30 pm, and Saturday, 8:30 am – 12:00 pm. Call them when it’s convenient for YOU! Enrollment in the plan is optional.
Voluntary Group Life Insurance
Cigna – VOLUNTARY TERM GROUP LIFE INSURANCE ~ Paid by you
This insurance is available through Cigna to all employees who are .5 FTE or greater. They must enroll within the first 30 days of employment. One exception: If employee goes from less than .5 FTE to greater than .5 FTE they can enroll within the first 30 days of the change in FTE without evidence of insurability. THERE IS NO OTHER QUALIFYING EVENT. An employee can get group insurance later – however must go through the entire underwriting process which includes evidence of insurability. - However if an employee gets married or has a baby, then the dependents would qualify for the GI within 30 days from the date of marriage or birth. Other than that, there are no other qualifying events since this for Voluntary Life. Loss of other coverage does not constitute a qualifying event for the Voluntary Life.
This insurance can be payroll deducted
Employee – All active, Full-time Employees of the Employer regularly working a minimum of 20 hours per week.
Benefit Amount - Units of $10,000
- Guaranteed Coverage Amount - $120,00
- Maximum - $120,000
- Benefit Reduction Schedule - Providing you are still employed, your benefits will reduce to 65% at age 70, 45% at age 75.
Your Spouse – Up to age 70 is eligible provided that you apply for and are approved for coverage for yourself.
- Benefit Amount - Units of $5,000
- Guaranteed Coverage Amount - $50,000
- Maximum - $50,000, or 50% of the employee's coverage amount
Your Unmarried, Dependent Children - Birth to 6 months: $500
Under age 26, as long as you apply for and are approved for coverage for yourself·.
- Benefit Amount- Units of $2,000
- Maximum - $10,000
Information and Enrollment forms may be obtained from the Business or HR Offices as well as the link below:
Workers Compensation Information
Workers Compensation ~ Important Information Regarding
Benefits & Medical Provider Network
California Law requires employers to provide and pay for medical treatment if you are injured at work. Oak Park Unified School District is pleased to provide this medical care through WellComp MPN, a workers' compensation medical provider network (MPN). An MPN is a group of health care providers set up by an employer and approved by California's Division of Workers' Compensation to treat workers injured on the job. The enclosed pamphlet contains important information regarding WellComp and your workers' compensation medical benefits. Please read it carefully.
Your medical treatment for a work-related injury or illness is provided through the WellComp Medical Provider Network. Under Labor Code Section 4600, you have the option of treating with your personal physician if you have provided written notification to the District’s Business Department of your intent prior to your injury or illness. The written request also requires the agreement and signature of your personal physician to treat you for your work-related injury or illness. If you wish to pre-designate your physician, you may use the form attached or forms may be obtained by contacting the Business Department at (818) 735-3254. The completed form, signed by both you and your physician, should be returned to the Business Department.
For additional information, please review the enclosed pamphlet carefully. You may also contact WellComp Patient Services Department directly by telephone, or through the WellComp web site.