Benefits

This summary provides a brief overview of the City of Palo Alto's Benefit Plans available to REGULAR employees (those regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week). If there is a conflict between the information in this summary and the official plan/contracts, the official documents will determine how the plans work and the benefits they pay. The benefits described may be changed and terminated at the City's discretion.

Some employee groups have different benefits based upon negotiated Union Agreements. More specific compensation information may be found in the "Summary of Compensation" section located below.

Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)

• 2% at 60 formula for Miscellaneous employees (2.4% at 63)    
• 3% at 50 formula for Safety employees
• One-year final compensation
• Pre-Retirement survivor benefits  
• City pays 9% required employee contribution for Police Safety

Non-Contributory Deferred Compensation Plan

• Fully paid employee and dependent Dental Plan
• Fully paid employee and dependent Medical Plan (Up to the second most expensive plan offered); Employee contribution to begin January 2011.
• Fully paid employee and dependent Vision Plan
• Fully paid Life and AD&D insurance equal to annual salary
• Long Term Disability plan (except Police and Fire)
• 12 annual paid holidays (most employees)
• Two to five weeks vacation annually depending on years of service (most employees)
• 96 hours annual sick leave (most employees)
• Credit Union Services

The City of Palo Alto maintains compensation plans for the following seven employee groups: Limited Hourly, Hourly Unit, Classified, Police, Fire, Fire Management, and Management/Professional. See the Memorandum of Agreements section listed below.