Welcome to the State of California, Prison Industry Authority

Employee Benefits

California State employment provides you with career responsibilities and challenges. It also provides you with exceptional benefits. The following is an overview of the benefits available to State employees.

Compensation

Most State employees are paid monthly for the twelve pay periods in a year. Full-time and part-time employees are usually paid on the last day of the month, or on the first day of the next month. Intermittent employees are usually paid within ten working days after the end of the pay period.

Vacation

At the beginning of every new pay period, you will be credited with the vacation hours you earned for the previous qualifying pay period. The number of hours you earn depends upon your time-base, bargaining unit agreement, and the length of your State employment. You cannot use any accrued vacation until you have completed the first six months of State service.

Sick Leave

You are credited with sick leave on the first day of each month following completion of each qualifying pay period. The number of hours you accumulate depends upon your time-base and your bargaining unit agreement.

Annual Leave Program

Instead of accumulating sick leave and vacation, eligible State employees may choose to participate in the Annual Leave Program. Eligible participants include managers, supervisors, as well as confidential and excluded employees. Additionally, some collective bargaining contracts allow for their employees to participate in this program.

Holidays

As a State employee you are entitled to receive pay for State holidays observed during the year. Traditionally, the holidays observed are: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln's Birthday; Washington's Birthday; Cesar Chavez Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Day After Thanksgiving; and Christmas Day.

Health Insurance

As a State employee, you may be eligible for health insurance to help pay the cost of hospital and other medical bills incurred by you and your eligible dependents. Eligibility for health insurance for State employees is based upon tenure and time base. Employees must have a permanent or limited term appointment which lasts for more than six months and a time base of half-time or more. The State will pay for part of your health plan premium as soon as you enroll. The State contribution is a flat dollar amount per month depending on the number of enrolled dependents. You may select any one of the available plans. The cost to you will be the difference between the cost of the plan and the State's contribution.

Dental Insurance

As a new State employee you and your eligible dependents, may be eligible for dental insurance available from one of several dental plans. The type of plan available is based on your collective bargaining designation. Depending on the type of dental plan you select, the State will pay for all or part of your dental plan premium based on the number of enrolled dependents.

Vision Care Insurance

Employees appointed permanent, half-time or more are automatically enrolled into the State's Vision Program.

Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)

Most full-time employees who are hired to work more than six months automatically become members of the CalPERS upon appointment. New CalPERS members are also covered by Social Security (OASDI). If you retire from State service, you will be eligible to receive both CalPERS and Social Security benefits. Additional information can be obtained by visiting the CalPERS website.

Deferred Compensation

Deferred Compensation is a benefit which enables you to save money to increase your financial independence at retirement. It also allows you to defer taxes on the amount you invest until it is withdrawn. Both Federal and State income tax are immediately reduced. Contributions are always made through payroll deductions.

The DPA administers the Savings Plus Program which is a long-term program that gives you two ways to save for your retirement. This is not a savings account, it is an optional retirement supplement. Eligible employees can participate in two plans authorized by the Internal Revenue Code: Deferred Compensation Plan under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 457; and a Thrift Plan authorized by IRC 401(k). If you wish additional information about this program , visit the Savings Plus Program on DPA's website.

Additional Benefits

In addition to the benefits enumerated above, the following benefits are also available to California State employees. The costs of these benefits may be the responsibility of the employee, the State, or may be shared.

  • Bereavement Leave
  • Military Leave
  • Jury Duty
  • Personal Holiday
  • Workers Compensation
  • Industrial Disability Leave
  • FlexElect
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Group Legal Services Plan
  • Life Insurance
  • Long Term Disability Insurance
  • CalPERS Long Term Care Benefit
  • Work & Family - including Dependent Care Assistance
  • Non-industrial Disability Insurance
  • Health Promotion