Welcome aboard! Now that you’re a part of the ACUSD/ACOE team, let’s get you started right.

Joining a new organization is an exciting transition, and we want to ensure you have the coverage you need from day one. Your initial enrollment is your opportunity to select from our CalPERS medical plans, as well as dental and vision options that best fit you and your family's needs. Follow the steps below to meet with your representatives and secure your benefits.

• Registering for Benefits
  • Once you have been officially hired, you will receive an email from Payroll.
  • You will need to meet with an American Fidelity Representative, who will guide you through the choices that you have for Section 125 optional plans, as well as your Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
  • Review Plan Options & Rates
  • Review Section 125 Plan Offerings & Other Financial Security Options
• Waiving Coverage
  • Your eligibility to waive coverage will be determined based on which bargaining unit you are in. If you wish to waive, you will need to fill out the HBD-12 Form along with the current year Attestation form and submit  to Payroll@acusd.org
• Important Deadlines & Auto-Enrollment
  • The 30-Day Window: If you are required to take benefits, you must complete your enrollment within the first 30 days of your hire date.
  • ACA Compliance: To comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employees who are eligible for benefits but fail to submit their enrollment or waiver forms within the required timeframe will be automatically enrolled in the lowest-cost medical plan available to them.
  • Effective Date: Coverage typically begins on the first of the month following your date of hire, provided your paperwork is submitted on time.

Life moves fast—staying informed helps your benefits keep up with you. As your life changes, your health and welfare needs may change too. Whether you are welcoming a new family member, moving to a new home, or navigating other personal milestones, it is important to understand how these "Qualifying Life Events" impact your coverage. This section provides the tools and links you need to manage your benefits throughout your active career with the District.

Life Events

CalPERS page about Life Events

Important: The 30-Day Rule for Life Events: Changes to your benefits due to a qualifying life event (such as marriage, birth, or loss of other coverage) must be submitted within 30 days of the event date. If you experience a qualifying event, please contact payroll@acusd.org immediately. Our team will provide the necessary forms and guidance to ensure your coverage is adjusted within the legal timeframe

• Here is the List of Qualifying Events: 
  • Family Changes
    • Birth or Adoption
    • Domestic Partnership
    • Marriage or Divorce
  • Personal Information Changes
    • Name or Address Changes​​​​​​​
  • Employment Changes
    • New CalPERS Member
    • Leave of Absence
    • Leaving CalPERS-Covered Employment
    • Retirement
    • Returning to Work
  • Death/Illness/Injury
    • Death or Terminal Illness
    • Injury/Disability

Planning for the Future

Your health and welfare benefits are not a "set it and forget it" resource. We encourage you to stay engaged with your plan throughout the year to ensure you are maximizing the value of your coverage.

The Annual Benefits Cycle

• July: New health plan rates for the upcoming year are typically approved and released by the CalPERS Board. We will update the Health & Welfare Benefits Hub and notify staff as soon as these figures are finalized.
• September – October: This is the CalPERS Open Enrollment period. This is your once-a-year window to change plans, add or remove dependents, or enroll for the first time without a qualifying life event.
• January 1: Any changes made during Open Enrollment take effect. This marks the start of the new Plan Year.

Stay Proactive

We recommend checking the Health & Welfare Benefits Hub regularly for updates on wellness programs, pharmacy changes (such as the 2026 shift to CVS Caremark), new plan offerings (such as the EPO Plan added for 2027), and new resources.

Looking Ahead

• Review Your Usage: Before September, review your out-of-pocket costs from the previous year. Is your current plan still the best fit for your medical needs?
• Update Your Info: Ensure your mailing address is current in myCalPERS and with the District Payroll office so you don't miss important enrollment packets. Use the Employee Portal or email HumanResources@acusd.org to update your mailing address/contact information.
• More Information To Come: We are continuously adding information and tools to help you prepare for the 2027 plan year, so be sure to check back periodically and check your email for updates.

Planning for a secure future is the final step in a successful career. We are committed to supporting our team members even after their years of service are complete. Through TRACS (Securing Your Future Healthcare), we help you bridge the gap in healthcare costs during retirement by utilizing the contributions you've accrued during your active employment. Explore this section to understand your benefit calculations and how to access your funds as you transition into this next chapter.

• CalPERS / CalSTRS
  • As you prepare for the next chapter, it is important to understand how your pension works. Both CalPERS (for classified staff) and CalSTRS (for certificated staff) are Defined Benefit plans. Unlike a 401(k), your retirement benefit is not based on your account balance, but on a guaranteed formula that provides a monthly check for life.
    • Key Retirement Factors:
      • Service Credit: The total years of service you have earned.
      • Age Factor: The percentage of pay you are entitled to based on your age at retirement.
      • Final Compensation: Your highest average salary over a 12-month or 36-month period (depending on your membership date).
  • We recommend that employees within five years of retirement attend a member webinar or use the online calculators at myCalPERS or myCalSTRS to generate a personalized retirement estimate. Understanding your "Normal Retirement Age" and how unused sick leave can be converted into additional service credit will help you maximize your lifetime benefit.
    • CalPERS Member Resources
    • CalSTRS Member Resources
• TRACS
  • Securing Your Future Healthcare TRACS was established to help bridge the gap in healthcare costs after you retire. By accruing contributions during your active employment, you build a balance that helps pay your insurance premiums later in life. Visit the TRACS page to understand your "Benefit Calculation" and how to access your funds upon retirement.
• CalPERS Health
  • As a retiree of ACUSD/ACOE, you are eligible to attain medical benefits through CalPERS in retirement. ACUSD/ACOE contributes toward this plan up to the PEMHCA minimum. Please note that because the District currently utilizes the “unequal method,” the contribution amount will be below the standard PEMHCA minimum (currently approximately $8 per month).
  • CalPERS Retiree Health - Region I Rates
  • CalPERS Medicare Enrollment Guide for Retirees
• Retiree Dental & Vision
  • As a retiree of ACUSD/ACOE, you are eligible to attain dental and vision coverage through the District. The District works with ACSIG, which has structured retiree plans through Delta Dental and VSP. Billing for Dental and Vision plans is handled through P & A Group. To learn more about our Retiree Dental and Vision plans, please email Payroll@acusd.org
    • Retiree Dental & Vision Rates
    • Retiree Dental - Benefit Guide
    • Retiree Vision - Benefit Guide
• P & A Group - Retiree Billing
  • P&A provides billing services for retiree dental and vision benefits. To get set up, work with Payroll@acusd.org.  If you have questions about your current billing, P&A’s contact information is below:
    • P & A Website
    • Call Us - Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. ET
    • (716) 852-2611