State Benefit Options
Medical and Vision Plans
The State of Colorado offers two medical and vision plan options:
Kaiser Permanente
All premiums are sent to Kaiser and they use those funds in conjunction with all charges employees are responsible for paying (Co-Pays, Co-Insurance, and Deductibles) to pay for the services through them.
Cigna Healthcare
Self-Funded: all medical claims are paid by the state through your premium contributions.
To learn more about the medical plans, please visit the DPA Division of Human Resources website.
Dental Plans
The dental plan through the state is self-funded as well through Delta Dental (similar to the self-funded medical option). Additionally, Delta Dental offers a Basic and Basic Plus Plan. To learn more about the state's dental insurance, please click the link here.
Retirement Plans
State employees hired prior to January 1, 2006, automatically participate in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA DB), a defined benefit plan. New employees have 60 calendar days to make their retirement choice (once eligibility is determined, you may not be eligible if you had PERA previously) between two types of retirement plans:
Defined Benefit (DB)
New Employees who do not elect a retirement benefit plan within 60 days will default to this plan.
Consider this option if you like to let PERA manage your investments.
Defined Contribution (DC)
Consider this option if you would like to manage your own investments.
Before making any retirement options, we recommend that you consult with your financial advisor or contact PERA at (800) 759-7372. To view the full details of both these plans, please click the link here.
Other State Benefit Programs
The State of Colorado also provides Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Saving Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts. To view more information about the state's benefits, please visit the DPA Division of Human Resources website.
Work-Life and Flexible Work Arrangements
It is the policy of the State of Colorado to use strategic and effective business tools like flexible work arrangements wherever appropriate. Flexible and alternative work arrangements, such as Flex space (telecommuting); Flex Time, Job Sharing and Accommodations for Working Mothers, are proven business tools that allow state supervisors and managers to effectively manage state resources and the work environment while accommodating the changing needs of a diverse workforce.
Please Note: Flexible work arrangements are not an employee right or benefit and always subject to supervisory approval prior to implementation.
Helpful Information
Setting up a Personal Contribution into your HSA
For employees wishing to make personal contributions into the HSA account over and above what the State contributes, you can simply deposit funds directly into your HSA account through Optum Bank or you can set up a payroll direct deposit with Payroll. To set up a direct deposit from your paycheck follow these steps:
Obtain a direct deposit form – On the intranet, Forms, Payroll Forms, Additional Direct Deposit Deduction Form (or click on document below in file list).
Obtain your personal account number from Optum Bank provided in your welcome packet from Optum Bank.
Use the following info to fill out the direct deposit form: Organization ID is PAA, Transit Number is 124384877, Desc Code is S for savings, Act Type is S for savings, and lastly write in the Voided Check area “For Contribution into HSA”
Keep in mind these direct deposit contributions are not pre-tax so to get the tax benefit you will need to fill out IRS Tax Form 8889 so you can deduct the correct amounts from your taxable income when you file taxes. You do not receive any tax savings from the State contribution placed in the account, that amount is reported in Box 12b on your W2 annually.