1. Will my START reduction in time affect the amount of vacation and
sick leave that I earn?
No. This is one of the advantages of START. You will continue to accrue vacation
and sick leave at your pre-START appointment percentage.
2. How does my participation in START affect my holiday pay?
Under START, you will receive holiday pay in proportion to your reduced time
in accordance with the applicable personnel policy or collective bargaining
agreement.
3. Will START impact my health and welfare benefits?
Your eligibility for health and welfare benefits will not be affected by START
because your percentage of time on pay status under START cannot be reduced
below 50% time.
4. Does a lower salary have any impact on my disability and life insurance
benefits?
Disability benefit payments for both the Short-term Plan and the Supplemental
Plan will be based on your pre-START salary and your premiums will continue
to be based on your pre-START salary. Basic life insurance coverage will continue
at the pre-START salary rate until the following January 1 at which time coverage
will be based on the salary rate in effect at that time. Supplemental life
insurance premiums and coverage will continue at the pre-START salary rate.
5. What is my status with START if I need to go on
disability leave while participating in the program?
Your START contract will be "suspended" if you become eligible
for Short-Term or Supplemental disability benefits. While you are on disability
leave you will be off UC pay status so your vacation and sick leave credits
and UCRP service credit would no longer accrue from the point you go off pay
status.
6. I may retire in the next three years. Will my START reduction in
time affect my Highest Average Plan Compensation (HAPC) used for calculating
my retirement benefit or my Final Salary used for calculating Preretirement
Survivor Income or Disability Income benefits?
No. The UCRP pension and benefits will be based on the unreduced salary for
HAPC and Final Salary provided that you are on pay status for at least 50%
time during each month of participation.
7. How will vacation and sick
leave credits and UCRP service credit be affected if an employee who is participating
in the START Program goes on military leave?
If the START participant is on paid military leave, these benefits will continue
to accrue at the employee's pre-START rate. If the participant
is on unpaid military leave, vacation and sick leave credits will not accrue
during the time the employee is off UC pay status. If the participant
is on active military duty, he/she continues to earn UCRP service credit for
the period of active military service at the pre-START rate, provided he/she
returns to work in accordance with the provisions of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment
Rights Act (USERRA).
8. What is the impact of START on my 403(b) and/or 457(b) Plan contributions?
Your maximum annual contribution (MAC) to the 403(b) and/or 457(b)Plan may
be affected by your participation in START because it is based on the lesser
of your adjusted gross salary or a fixed amount based on age. For example,
your MAC for 2008 would be based on the lesser of:
- your adjusted gross salary; or
- $15,500 if you're under age 50 as of December 31, 2008 or $20,500
if you're age 50 or older anytime during 2008.
9. What impact does a lower salary have on my current pre-tax contributions
to the Defined Contribution Plan?
The Defined Contribution Plan requires contributions as a specific percentage
of eligible salary. Therefore, contributions would be lower.
10. Does a member of CalPERS or other retirement system also receive
the retirement plan advantages provided to UCRP members?
No, this provision is specific to UCRP.
11. Are there other effects of START that I should know about?
Please see the list of "Important Considerations" in the START
contract.
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