Benefits Overview

The Employee Benefits Web Site provides employees and prospective employees with valuable information about the benefits offered through the County of Orange.

This is a brief overview of the benefits programs offered by the County of Orange with links to the specific benefit programs for more detailed information.

New Employee Benefits Orientation

• Benefits Orientation for new employees

New Retiree Benefits Orientation

• Benefits Orientation for new retirees

Health Care Coverage

The County of Orange offers health care coverage that allows active employees to choose from 4 health plans, 2 Preferred Provider Organization health Plans (PPO) and 2 Health Maintenance Organization Plans (HMO). The County pays 95% for your health insurance premium as a full time, employee only coverage. If you have dependent deductions or are a part time employee your bi-weekly deductions are taken on a before-tax basis which allows you to reduce your gross taxable salary by the amount of your share of dependent health premium costs.

Health Care and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

The Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) allow active employees to set aside before-tax dollars from each paycheck to help pay for unreimbursed eligible health care and dependent care expenses for you and your family. In most cases, you never pay taxes on this money.

• HCRA Presentation

• DCRA Presentation

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides confidential consultation information and referrals for employees and employees' families who are facing personal problems. It is available 24 hours a day. For more information or assistance call 1-800-221-0945.

Leave of Absence/Disability

• Click here to access the presentation.

• Parenthood Leave Brochure

• Leave of Absence Brochure

Defined Contribution Program (457 Plan)

The Defined Contribution Program is a voluntary, supplemental long-term retirement program that permits you, through payroll deductions, to defer (postpone, delay) some of your salary on a regular basis. Taxes on the money and earnings are deferred until they are withdrawn, at separation/retirement from the County.

Participants may defer up to $16,500 (for 2010) annually from their salary. The amount deferred is deducted before taxes to be withheld are calculated. Taxes are paid at the time the employee receives the money back, either in the form of an annuity at the time of retirement or when the employee leaves the County of Orange.

The County’s Defined Contribution Program is administered by Great West Retirement Services.

Retirement Plan

The Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) provides retirement benefits for employees of the County that belong to OCERS. While you’re a member, both you and the County make contributions to the Retirement System. When you retire, you’ll receive a monthly allowance that is based on your tier (determined by your date of membership into OCERS), your age at retirement, your average monthly earnings, and your years of service. If you require additional information about OCERS, call 1-888-570-6277 or visit the web site at www.ocers.org.

Retiree Medical Insurance Program

The County of Orange offers a Retiree Medical Insurance Program which assists retirees with the cost of retiree health insurance premiums and/or Medicare premiums. Eligible retirees receive a monthly grant, if eligible, based upon years of service and age at separation.

New Employee Benefits Orientation

You are invited to attend a live New Employee Benefits Orientation. This orientation is conducted by the Office of Human Resources, Employee Benefits Division and will provide you with important information on your health plan options, enrollment and other benefit programs, including 457 Defined Contribution Program, Health Care and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, and the Employee Assistance program. You now have the opportunity to learn about your benefits and the enrollment process before you attend a live presentation and/or receive your Benefits Enrollment Guide and Benefits Enrollment Summary from the Benefits Center.If you would like to take the opportunity to view this presentation on-line click here.

New Employee Benefits Orientations are scheduled for the first Monday of each month, unless it is a holiday, and then the New Employee Benefits Orientation will be conducted on the first Tuesday of the month.*

All New Hire orientations will be at 9:00 a.m., at 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Hall of Administration Building, room 169, Santa Ana, CA 92701 location.