Postdoc Benefits

Postdoc Health Insurance & Retirement Benefits

UC Postdoctoral Scholars Benefits Plan (PSBP) Insurance

As a condition of appointment, postdocs must have adequate health insurance coverage for the duration of their appointment. The UC Postdoctoral Scholars Benefits Plans(link is external) (PSBP) offers health and welfare packages through Gallagher Benefit Services. PSBP functions similarly to employer-sponsored health insurance: you contribute a nominal monthly payment towards the insurance premium, and the university covers the remaining cost. You can choose plans to cover medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as short and long-term disability insurance. PSBP also offers mental health, pharmacy, chiropractic(link is external), and wellness benefits(link is external). To avoid delays in coverage, be sure to enroll within 31 days of your appointment start date. This is your Period of Initial Enrollment (PIE). If you enroll before your appointment begins, your coverage will start on your first day of work. If you wish to opt out of PSBP, you must complete and submit the Postdoctoral Scholar Health Benefits Opt-Out Form (PDF file). 

Your department will automatically pay for and enroll you in life, accidental death, and disability insurance (note: this does not include medical, dental, or vision coverage—you must actively enroll in those during your Period of Initial Eligibility [PIE]). Remember that costs vary depending on the plan you choose and whether you elect coverage for a spouse and/or children. Visit the PSBP Plans & Rates page (PDF file)(link is external) for an overview of each plan’s costs and benefits.

For international postdocs, PSBP insurance satisfies U.S. visa requirements, including medical evacuation and repatriation benefits. If you plan to opt out of PSBP and use an alternative health insurance plan, please make sure it meets the Department of State requirements(link is external). 

For a comprehensive look into your benefit plans, watch the Postdoc Benefits Enrollment Video here(link is external). You may also review the Postdoctoral Scholar Benefit Plan Guide here (PDF file)(link is external) as well.

Childcare Reimbursement & Dependent Care Programs

As of October 1, 2023, the new Postdoc (PX) Collective Bargaining Agreement(link is external), ratified on December 9, 2022, establishes Childcare Reimbursement and Dependent Care Programs. As we work on implementing this new benefit and process, it is possible that changes and updates may be needed.  Your union leadership will be advised of those as they arise. In the meantime, if you have any questions, we recommend you contact your union(link is external). 

Click here to watch the People & Culture Demo Video for the Childcare Reimbursement Program(link is external)

HMO? PPO? What do all these letters mean and what plan should I choose?

Choosing the right medical plan depends on the unique needs of you and your family. PSBP offers you the choice between a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) model. 

Under the HMO model, you and your enrolling family members will choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP) who coordinates your healthcare needs. If you are in need of treatment from a specialist or in need of an in-patient or out-patient procedure, you must obtain a referral from the PCP prior to any type of consultation or treatment. If the referral is not obtained, no benefits will be paid. HMO plans usually have lower premiums.

The PPO plan offers much more flexibility regarding your choice of provider but has higher premiums and deductibles. With a PPO plan, you have the ability to seek care from a specialist without obtaining a referral from a Primary Care Physician. For more details, visit the Gallagher Benefits Overview Page (PDF file)(link is external).

Still have questions. Who should I talk to?

If you need someone to help walk you through choosing insurance coverage, please reach out to one of the people below. 

Gallagher Benefit Services: Antonio Kontokanis

Account Manager Phone: (800) 254-1758 Email: antonio_kontokanis@ajg.com

UC Berkeley Benefit Inquires: Janet Suko

Benefits Program Coordinator Phone: (510) 219-9287 Email: jsuko@berkeley.edu

“”

Postdoc Retirement Benefits

Retirement benefits for postdocs vary depending on the postdoc's title code. If you are unsure of your title code, ask your HR administrator or click here to learn more about postdoc title codes. Your title code is also indicated on your pay earnings statement located in UCPath(link is external).

Postdoc Employees (Title Code 3252)

Postdoc Employees contribute to the University of California Defined Contribution Plan (PDF file)(link is external) (DCP) as “Safe Harbor” participants. This means that while Postdoc Employees do pay into the DCP, they do not pay into Social Security. The DCP mandatory contribution is approximately 7.5% of salary. By default, funds will be deposited to the UC Savings Fund, but you have the option of redirecting your contributions to other UC or Fidelity Funds.

For non-US citizens, DCP contribution/withholding is dependent on residency for tax purposes, immigration status, and length of appointment. Glacier(link is external) gathers the information necessary to determine FICA withholding (which includes DCP).

DCP provides flexibility by allowing you to make voluntary after-tax contributions and to withdraw/roll over the funds when UC appointment is terminated.

Postdoc Employees also have the option to enroll in the Voluntary UC Retirement Savings Program(link is external) 403(b) and/or 457(b) retirement savings plans.Postdoc Employees who want to voluntarily participate in the 403(b) Plan (PDF file)(link is external) designate a portion of their gross salary to be contributed on a pretax basis, thus reducing the participant’s taxable income. Postdoc Employees who choose to participate in the 457(b) Plan (PDF file)(link is external) designate a portion of their gross salary to be contributed on a pretax basis, thus reducing the participant’s taxable income. Taxes on contributions and any earnings are deferred.  

Both of these plans are managed by:

Fidelity Investment Services

Retirement Savings Program Accounts
Phone: 1-866-682-7787 or netBenefits.fidelity.com(link is external)

Questions? Contact:

If you are a postdoc employee with assets in a DCP, you have some options when you separate from the University.

  1. Keep your money in the plan. If your balance is at least $2,000, you may elect to leave your money in the plan. You may no longer contribute to the plan after separating from UC; however, you may still change the way your money is invested.
  2. "Roll over" some or all DCP assets to a traditional IRA or to an employer plan that accepts rollovers. Balances greater than $1,000 but less than $2,000 will be rolled over into an IRA in the participant’s name unless the participant provides alternative distribution directions.
  3. Request periodic distributions without having to make a specific request for withdrawals each time.
  4. Cash out. If your balance is less than $1,000, the University will automatically pay the balance to you, unless you request the money to be rolled over to another retirement account. Regardless of the amount, you may cash out all or part of your balance if you wish. Important: Distributions are usually taxed as ordinary income in the year they are issued. Distributions may also be subject to early withdrawal penalties if they are taken before a certain age.

The university must have your current address to assure delivery of any distribution. Update your personal information record in UCPath(link is external) if you move to a new permanent address.

To access DCP funds or to enroll in the retirement savings plan, or for more information about the tax treatment and potential penalties of plan distributions, contact Fidelity Retirement Services online(link is external) or call the toll-free number: 1-866-682-7787. Fidelity representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific Time.

Postdocs in All Other Title Codes

Postdocs appointed under any other postdoc title code(link is external) (3253, 3254, 3255, 3256) are not eligible for participation in the Defined Contribution Plan nor any other plan through UC Berkeley. These postdocs have the option to save for retirement through an Annuity or Individual Retirement Account (IRA). More information about non-employer retirement savings options can be provided by a professional financial planner.