Monthly amounts the County contributes towards employees' medical expenses:

EE Only: $1,300.00

EE+1: $1,300.00

EE+2 or More: $1,475.00

All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution toward the cost of their medical, dental, and vision expenses that varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and dependent enrollment. If the monthly cafeteria contribution does not fully cover the cost of your medical, dental, and vision expenses, you pay your portion of premiums with pre-tax wages.

The cafeteria contribution for part-time employees hired after February 7, 2006 will be prorated based on their hours worked. Enrollment in medical, dental and vision insurance is mandatory for employee only coverage. Employees may be permitted to waive medical insurance by providing proof of enrollment in other employer group medical insurance coverage.

Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP)

Maximum contribution: One-half of accrued sick leave at the employee’s current rate of pay, up to a maximum payment of one-half of 260 working days.

Varies by plan selection

$750 annual employer contribution for HSA enrollees

The County offers options for financial accounts to help employees save money on taxes for eligible healthcare expenses. Pretax health savings accounts options include: Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care/Limited Purpose FSAs, Health Savings Accounts (HDHP only). 

To receive the annual employer contribution of $750, employees must enroll in the HDHP and meet the requirements for HSA eligibility. 

County-Sponsored Benefits Programs

The County offers a wide range of free or minimal-cost benefit programs for employees enrolled in County medical insurance. These include but are not limited to: 

- Carrum Health- Surgery benefit at Centers of Excellence

- Hinge Health- Personalized exercise therapy program

- Livongo- Personalized diabetes prevention and management

To be eligible for pension benefits, employees must be vested after five years of County employment at full-time status.

Proration occurs if you work part-time or when you take leaves of absence. 

The County’s pension benefit provides outstanding retirement benefits and represents a large portion of an employee's compensation.

The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life (and in most cases continuance for elected beneficiaries) based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The pension plan is administered by the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust (SLOCPT), an independent retirement system. 

Pension Benefit Formula

Contributions deducted on biweekly basis based on age at hire, tier, and classification

Your defined benefit pension formula varies based on your bargaining unit, pension tier, and membership classification. Membership classifications are Miscellaneous (the majority of employees), Probation, or Safety. You are placed into one of three tiers based on your hire date, either Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3. New hires without any prior public service experience are placed into Tier 3.

Per the current contract agreement, the Pension plan cost share arrangement is at the base agreement.

The Pension plan has a 50/50 split cost share arrangement between employees and the County for any pension rate increase as the base agreement.

Additional contribution adjustments are negotiated each contract cycle, including holidays and caps to employee contribution rate increases. 

Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) 

Social Security

Employee and Employer Paid: 6.20% (12.4% total)

Medicare

Employee and Employer Paid: 1.45% (2.9% total)

Deferred Compensation Plan

457(b) Voluntary retirement savings benefit

0 through 4 years of service: 10 days per year

5 through 9 years of service: 15 days per year

10+ years: 20 days per year

Employees on initial probation are excluded. Vacation time does rollover up to a cap of 320 hours.

Holidays include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, The day immediately following Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

12 days per year

2080 hours (260 days) maximum accrual

Employees with at least 5 years of service may cash out sick leave at a rate of 50% of its regular value upon separation from County employment, up to a maximum of 720 hours. 

40 hours per fiscal year

One time per fiscal year, permanent employees with a minimum balance of 200 vacation hours may cashout vacation hours.

Additionally, employees must have used 40 hours of vacation in the current fiscal year. 

Career Incentive Pay

For Sheriff's Commanders & Sheriff's Chief Deputy Classifications

POST Supervisory/ Management Certificate:

$700 per month

A career incentive allowance will be paid to eligible permanent full-time employees that possess the credentials listed. Allowances are non-stacking. 

After two years of employment in the Sheriff's Commander and Chief Deputy classifications, the career incentive allowance shall continue only for possession of a Peace Officers Standards and Training Management Certificate.

Career Incentive Pay

For Sheriff's Correctional Lieutenant & Sheriff's Correctional Captain Classifications

STC Manager / Administrator Core Course and/or POST Management Certificate:

$700 per month

New Hires: 15 years of Service:

$1,500 onetime payment

Straight time