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Perks & Benefits

The City of Cambridge offers a wide range of benefits including paid time off, retirement pension, health insurance, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, subsidized MBTA passes, flexible spending, deferred compensation plans, tuition reimbursement, and more. Regular full-time employees and part-time employees in positions budgeted for at least 20 hours per week are eligible for benefits. On this page, you will find a brief overview of some of our benefits. However, due to the dynamic nature of our workforce and collective bargaining agreements, benefits may vary. If you have any questions regarding the benefits associated with a specific position you're interested in applying to, we encourage you to reach out to our Benefits Team at benefits@cambridgema.gov.


Generous Paid Time Off

Regular full-time employees, or part-time employees in a position budgeted at 20 hours per week or more, are eligible for paid time off.*

  • Non-Union Vacation Allowance
    • New hires will be eligible for 3 weeks of annual vacation after one year of service.
    • New hires will receive 1.5 weeks of vacation after six months of service and 1.25 days for each month of service thereafter until the subsequent January 1, when they will be credited with three weeks of vacation time.

  • Non-Union Personal Days Allowance
    • Regular full-time employees, or part-time employees in a position budgeted at 20 hours per week or more, will receive after 6 months of service, 3 personal days during each calendar year.

  • Non-Union Sick Days Allowance
    • Regular full-time or part-time employees in a position budgeted at 20 hours per week or more after 3 months will receive 3.75 days. After that, 1.25 days per month until the first of the year for 15 days.
  • Union Vacation, Sick, and Personal Day Allowance
    • For information regarding paid time off for union positions, please review the Union Contracts associated with the position you are applying for.

The City provides non-union, non-benefitted intermittent and temporary employees, 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Employees may not use earned sick time until they have completed 3 months of service. Exceptions to this policy include youth employed in a city, state or federally funded program during the summer or as part of a school to work seasonal/part time program; work-study programs; trainees who are given a stipend or wage as part of a job training program; individual employees whose employment is intended to provide a benefit or subsidy; and retirees of the City who work under GL Chap 32, Sec. 91. For more information, please view the Employee Manual.

Health Insurance

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Generally, employees working a regular schedule of 20 or more hours per week are eligible for health insurance coverage.  If you have any questions whether a position you are applying to is eligible for benefits, please contact the Human Resources Department.

The City of Cambridge offers four (4) different healthcare options:

View our Health Insurance Comparison Sheet

Dental & Vision Insurance

Generally, employees working a regular schedule of 20 or more hours per week are eligible for dental and vision coverage.  If you have any questions whether a position you are applying to is eligible for benefits, please contact the Human Resources Department.

Dental and vision insurance is provided through the Cambridge Public Employees Dental and Vision Fund.

Employees covered by Teamsters Local 25 collective bargaining agreements (with the exception of Public Works Supervisors) receive comprehensive dental and vision coverage through TeamstersCare. Information on plan coverage is available on the TeamstersCare website or by calling 617-241-9220.

If you have additional questions, please contact Cambridge Public Employee Dental and Vision Fund at 617-354-1110 or e-mail info@cdvfund.org.

Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

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Recognizing its workforce's diverse financial security needs, the City of Cambridge has taken proactive steps to offer comprehensive support to its employees. Understanding that each individual's circumstances differ, the City has established a valuable partnership with Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Cambridge City employees can now access a Group Term Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment program through this collaboration. This initiative ensures that employees can tailor their coverage to their needs, providing them with a sense of security and peace of mind.

By offering this enhanced protection, the City of Cambridge demonstrates its commitment to prioritizing its valuable workforce's well-being and financial security.

View Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Summary Sheet

Paid Parental Leave

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Embracing the importance of work-life balance, the City offers eligible employees 16 weeks of paid parental leave. Union employees should refer to their respective Collective Bargaining Agreement

View Parental Leave Policy

Retirement Pension

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The City of Cambridge offers its retirement option through the Cambridge Retirement System which is one of 104 contributory retirement systems in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  The Retirement System, governed by a five-member board, is subject to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 32.

Eligibility Requirements

Mandatory participation for benefited employees budgeted for 20 or more hours per week.

Employees participating in the City of Cambridge Retirement System are exempt from contributing to Social Security. Upon enrollment, employees will be required to sign an acknowledgment form affirming their understanding of this provision.

Deductions

Pre-tax deduction of 9% contributory rate, plus an additional 2% for earnings in excess of $30,000 for hires after July 1, 1996.

Retirement Benefit Guides

Massachusetts Public Employee Retirement Guide for those Who Became Members on or After April 2, 2012

Cambridge Retirement Board Contact Information

For detailed information concerning retirement options and enrollment information, contact the Human Resources department at humanresources@cambridgema.gov. You may also contact the Cambridge Retirement Board at 617-868-3401 or visit their website at www.cambridgeretirementma.gov.

Deferred Compensation

The City provides employees with access to a Deferred Compensation Plan which allows employees to invest a portion of their wages through payroll deduction on a tax deferred basis in a variety of investment vehicles such as stock and bond mutual funds, guaranteed accumulation accounts, and money market funds. The purpose for this plan is to provide supplemental savings for retirement only. The plan should not be used for general savings or as a reserve against unanticipated expenses, as there may be significant restrictions as well as tax and other penalties for premature withdrawal. You can generally enroll or change your level of contribution at any time.

View Deferred Compensation Plan with Empower Retirement

View Deferred Compensation Plan with VOYA Financial

Flexible Spending Account

The City offers most regular employees the opportunity to set aside a limited amount of money each calendar year on a pre-tax basis, to pay for medical expenses not covered by health insurance (e.g., co-payments, glasses, hearing aids, etc.), or for qualified expenses in dependent (e.g., child or elder) care. For employees who can anticipate and plan for such expenses annually, this plan allows reimbursement for those expenses from wages, which are not subject to taxation after being set aside through payroll deduction for this purpose.

Employees can contribute up to $3,050 to their Flexible Spending Account. It is important to make a realistic assessment of expenses anticipated for reimbursement each year, because, pursuant to federal tax rules, any funds set aside for which there is no expense to qualify for reimbursement may not be refunded to the employee. Those monies are lost to the employee and revert to the City.

View Flexible Spending Plan with Cafeteria Advisors

Tuition Reimbursement

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The City sponsors a limited tuition assistance program for full-time employees and those working in regular positions budgeted at 20 hours per week or more. Each fiscal year, managerial and non-union employees may receive tuition reimbursement or advance payment up to $4,500 for courses taken at any accredited college or university that are job or degree related, pre-approved for payment, and successfully completed. There is also a $500 book reimbursement available.

This program may be different or not available to some unionized employees. For information regarding tuition reimbursement for union positions, please review the collective bargaining agreements associated with the position you are applying for or contact the Human Resources Department at humanresources@cambridgema.gov.

View Non-Union Tuition Assistance Process


Subsidized Transportation

An MBTA red line train runs down surface tracks under a bright blue sky

Regular full-time and part-time employees in positions budgeted for at least 20 hours per week are eligible for the following transportation benefits:

  • MBTA transit pass partial subsidy (65% up to $265)
  • FREE Bluebikes Membership
  • Access to the EZRide Shuttle Service for free. The shuttle connects Boston’s North Station and Cambridgeport via Kendall Square, serving North Point, Community College, Lechmere, East Cambridge, and MIT.
  • The City has limited carpool spots available for City employees who share a ride into work every day during the work week.

View Transportation Benefits Sheet 

Employee Assistance Program

The Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free service the City of Cambridge provides to its employees, their dependents, and household members. This program offers counseling, referral, and consultation services designed to assist employees and their family to resolve work and life issues to live happier, healthier, more balanced lives. From stress, addiction, and change management to locating childcare facilities, legal assistance, and financial challenges, our qualified professionals are here to help.

Deer Oaks offers confidential counseling services outside for you and your immediate family and household members. The City of Cambridge pays for up to 6 sessions authorized by EAP health and provided by EAP counselors.

View Employee Assistance Program Summary Sheet

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