Optional Programs

The CSU offers several optional programs, which provide eligible employees the opportunity to participate in a variety of voluntary benefits, including Tax Deferred Retirement Savings Plans (403b, 401K, 457), as well as Long Term Care, Dependent Care and Health Care Reimbursement, a legal plan, pre-tax commuter benefits, and other insurance programs.

• State of California Savings Plus Program (401k) Thrift Plan and 457 
  • Who We Are
  • Plan Comparison Chart
  • Find Your Licensed Retirement Specialist
  • Online Enrollment
  • New Enrollment Form (if unable to enroll online)
  • Ready to Retire Brochure
  • Monthly Webinar Schedule and Registration 
• CSU 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP) Program
  • Universal Availability Notice
  • Fidelity NetBenefits Portal
  • CSU SRP 403(b) Program - 2025 Plan Features

  • Salary Reduction Request Form

    Employees are still able to enroll through the online netbenefits.com/calstate or through the phone 1-800-642-7131 (mention plan #50537)

• Contribution Limits for Supplemental Retirement Plan (403[b]), State Deferred Compensation (457[b]) and State Thrift (401[k]) Plans - rev. 12/20/24
• CalPERS Long-Term Care
• The Standard Insurance Company
  • Voluntary Life Insurance
  • Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
  • Voluntary Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Accident Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Life Services Toolkit
• Commuter Pre-Tax Benefit (Managed by Commuter Check)
  • The Commuter Check program allows eligible Sonoma State employees to defer up to $315 per month / $3,780 per year tax-free for the purchase of transit tickets and SMART Passes. All SMART passes must be loaded onto an existing Clipper Card. This benefit is only for full-time and part-time (20 hours per week or more) Sonoma State employees. This benefit is not available to students or student assistants.
    • Commuter Check Direct Product Overview
    • Commuter Check Direct Employee FAQ's
    • Clipper Card Website
    • Instructions for uberPOOL, Lyft Line, and Via
    • Enrollment in the Commuter Check Direct program is a two-step process:
      • Complete and submit the Commuter Check Pre-Tax Benefit Application Form to Payroll and Benefits Office, Salazar 2nd Floor.  The deadline is the 25th of the month. 
      • This benefit is only for full-time and part-time (20 hours per week or more) Sonoma State employees.  This benefit is not available to students or student assistants.
      • After you receive an email confirmation (with instructions for enrollment) from Payroll and Benefits, enroll with Commuter Check Direct online and place your order for Commuter Vouchers.  The deadline for enrollment is the last day of the month for receipt of your voucher around the 20th of the following month.
• Auto & Home Insurance (Managed by California Casualty)
• ARAG® Legal Insurance Plan (Policy ID 19061csu)
  • What is legal insurance?
  • View the PowerPoint presentation
• Health Care and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts 
  • The CSU Health Care Reimbursement Account is a voluntary benefit for eligible employees that offers significant tax advantages and could increase an employee's take-home pay. The plan allows for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket health expenses from money deducted from an employee's paycheck before federal, state and FICA taxes are deducted. Taxable income on an employee's annual W-2 statement will be reduced by the amount placed in the account.
  • HCRA/DCRA Enrollment Form
  • Claim Form
  • FSA Debit Card and Account Access Quick Guide
  • Contact information
• ScholarShare College Savings Plan (Managed by TIAA-CREF)
  • The ScholarShare College Savings Plan is California's 529 college savings plan. Employees may contribute post-tax dollars to save for future qualified higher education expenses, such as tuition, mandatory fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for enrollment or attendance.
  • Open an Account
  • Enrollment Brochure
  • ScholarShare FAQ
  • Payroll Deduction Form
• Nationwide Pet Insurance
  • Employees have the opportunity to enroll in Pet Insurance offered by Nationwide. This benefit offers access to exclusive pet health insurance coverage. Employees can purchase My Pet Protections, with or without wellness coverage, for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and other exotic animals.
  • Nationwide has two levels of reimbursement options to meet your needs. There is no network, so employees can select a veterinarian of their choice. Monthly premiums are based on the type of animal covered and the state of residence.
  • Enrollment is handled exclusively through Nationwide.
  • Watch the group webinar: https://www.petinsurance.com/grpwebinarpr