Overview of Benefits

EMWD prides itself on being an exemplary employer, providing competitive compensation and benefits in addition to opportunities for career development, leadership training and advancement.

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Benefit	Current Coverage	Current Monthly Rate
Medical Insurance	EMWD offers several health insurance plans. EMWD contributions cover most of the insurance premiums.	Effective 01/01/2024, up to $2,535.00
In-Lieu of Medical Insurance	Participating employees with sufficient proof of other medical insurance coverage may be entitled to bi-weekly reimbursement payments in lieu of EMWD coverage.	$837.00
Dental Insurance	EMWD offers Delta Dental. Currently, premiums for the basic plan are fully paid by EMWD. Employees who elect the alternate plan will pay the difference in premiums through payroll deductions.	$130.04
Vision Insurance	EMWD contracts with EyeMed premiums are fully paid by EMWD.	$19.31
Group Life Insurance	EMWD-paid life insurance is provided equal to the employee’s annual salary; up to a maximum of $250,000.	$0.34 per $1,000
	Employees may purchase additional life insurance. Effective 01/01/2014, this is available in increments up to a maximum of $500,000; of which, EMWD and the employee each pay one half.	$0.15 per $1,000

Retirement

California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)

Employees hired prior to 11/04/2010 (Tier I) are on the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula. The employee contribution is 8% and is paid through payroll deductions on a pre-tax basis.

Employees hired on or after 11/04/2010 (Tier II) are on the 2% @ 55 benefit formula. The employee contribution is 7% and is paid through payroll deductions on a pre-tax basis.

Employees hired on or after 01/01/2013 (PEPRA – if not already a CalPERS member) are on the 2% @ 62 formula and will pay at least 50% of normal cost of pension or what is determined by CalPers to be the employee contribution rate on a pre-tax basis through payroll deductions.

EMWD 401(a) Plan

All regular employees following the probationary period or one year of service are eligible. EMWD sets aside 7.15% of the employee’s first $16,500 annual earnings, up to a maximum of $1,179.75 per year into the plan.

Deferred Compensation

Employees have the option to participate in a 457 deferred compensation program with the District matching up to 4% of the employee’s annual base salary for CalPERS Tier I members, 4.5% for CalPERS Tier II members, and 6% for CalPERS PEPRA members, defined as a new hire who joined CalPERS for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and/or as defined by CalPERS.

Paid Leave Provisions

All EMWD employees are eligible to use an accumulation of Paid Time Off (PTO) as accrued based on years of service. Accrual begins immediately upon hire.

Accrual Rates

Paid Time Off (PTO)	Approximate Hours Earned Per Year
0 to 4 years of service	176 hours per year
5 to 7 years of service	216 hours per year
8 years of service	223 hours per year
9 years of service	225 hours per year
10 years of service	236 hours per year
11 years and thereafter	256 hours per year

Holidays

January 1 – New Year’s Day
Third Monday in January – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Third Monday in February – President’s Day
Last Monday in May – Memorial Day
July 4 – Independence Day
First Monday in September – Labor Day
November 11 – Veterans’ Day
Fourth Thursday in November – Thanksgiving Day
Fourth Friday in November – Day after Thanksgiving
December 25 – Christmas Day
Prior Approved Workdays – Three Floating Days

Other Benefits

Other benefits include voluntary deferred compensation and tuition assistance.

When required, uniforms are provided and maintained by EMWD.

Employees may also purchase a variety of supplemental voluntary insurance policies through AFLAC.