TxDOT provides comfort and security with health care and retirement plans, and we offer a variety of other benefits to support our employees.Life outside of work is important. TxDOT offers additional benefits to help you lead a balanced life.
Total compensation package
TxDOT employees receive paid leave, insurance benefits, and retirement benefits that enhance their total compensation.
Healthcare
The Texas Employees Group Benefits Program provides employees, retirees, and their families with valuable health coverage that helps them live healthy lives. Most state agency and higher education employees and their families become eligible for health coverage after 60 days of employment.
The state pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible full-time employees and half of eligible family members’ premiums. The state’s payment for retiree health premiums is based on how long the retiree worked for the state and when they started state employment. Health plan participants also share costs with the state in other ways. Members are responsible for copays, coinsurance, and any deductibles that might apply in their plan.
In general, the state pays more than twice as much as participants for their overall health costs.
Most GBP health plans are network-based. That means you will pay more if you see providers outside the network. You can help keep costs down—for both yourself and the plan—by seeing in-network providers and by choosing doctor-approved generic prescription drugs, talking with doctors about high-cost imaging versus x-rays and examining invoices for incorrect charges. These efforts also will help you avoid unexpected health care bills.
Other benefits offered include: dental and vision coverage, life insurance, dependent life insurance, short and long term disability.
Health insurance is managed by the Employees Retirement System of Texas. For more information on health benefits for you and your family, visit Active Employees. To learn more about your insurance options, retirement, and other benefits, visit ERS presentations and videos.
Note: Employees Retirement System of Texas benefits are subject to change without notice and depend on funding from the state.
Retirement
Most employees of Texas agencies become members of the ERS retirement plan as soon as they start working.
Employees and the state contribute roughly equal percentages of their salaries to the ERS Retirement Trust Fund. Throughout your career, ERS invests the money in the trust fund to increase its value. ERS focuses on different types of investments in many industries for long-term earnings and stability. As a result, almost two-thirds of retirement annuities are paid with investment earnings. It is an excellent value for the state, members, and taxpayers who help fund the state’s contribution.
The state retirement plan is a defined benefit plan. In other words, when you choose to retire after reaching eligibility, you will get a monthly payment (or annuity) for the rest of your life – no matter how long you live. In general, defined benefit retirement plans provide the same or better benefits than 401(k)-type defined contribution plans, at about half the cost.
Your eligibility to retire and the amount of your annuity depends on your hire date, years of service, age, and salary. Once you retire, you will have a stable monthly annuity from ERS. Find out more about retirement benefits and retirement planning. Additional information can also be found at ERS presentations and videos.
Medical plan wellness benefits
Take advantage of the many health and wellness benefits available through the HealthSelect of Texas medical plan. The plan offers guidance and advice about online weight management programs, tobacco cessation support, fitness center membership discounts, virtual medical and mental health doctor visits, wellness coaching, and other resources.
TxDOT’s 'Live Well. Work Well.' Wellness Program
Wellness benefits
As a TxDOT employee, you'll enjoy the benefits of participating in an award-winning statewide wellness program. Being well is about taking care of yourself in a holistic way. Work in a supportive culture that values your whole self, including your emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, physical, and social wellbeing. Our wellness program provides resources and support in all these wellness dimensions.
Here are some of the wellness benefits available to TxDOT employees:
Annual wellness programs and leave time
Well check program
Employees are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their primary care physician for an annual routine physical exam and complete a health risk assessment to be eligible to receive up to eight hours of wellness leave.
Get fit Texas! challenge
TxDOT employees can participate in an annual 10-week physical activity challenge and earn up to 8 hours of leave time.
Exercise during the day program
Eligible employees may take up to 30 minutes - three days a week to engage in physical activity during the workday. Some positions may not be suitable for participation in this program.
Preventive health care screenings
TxDOT employees who have HealthSelect Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas medical plan can participate in free onsite preventive health care screenings. These screenings help identify risk factors for health problems and include a consultation session with a nurse practitioner.
Onsite blood drives and vaccination clinics
Employees are eligible to use time during the day to donate blood and attend vaccination clinics.
Parent-friendly programs and resources
TxDOT is committed to creating a supportive and family-friendly work environment. Through comprehensive policies and programs, TxDOT has been recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents.
Breastfeeding policy & nursing mother's room
TxDOT recognizes the importance of supporting nursing parents on their breastfeeding journey and is committed to reducing barriers as they transition back to work.
TxDOT's breastfeeding policy ensures that nursing parents have the time and space they need to express milk comfortably and privately during the workday. Employees may take reasonable lactation breaks for up to three years following the child's birth, without needing to make up the time. Additionally, lactating employees may request reasonable work schedule adjustments, such as flexible schedules or compressed workweeks, to support breastfeeding, subject to supervisor approval and business needs.
Depending on the location, TxDOT provides a permanent single-use room or temporary mixed use space for employees to express milk.
Breast pumps are a covered benefit for employees enrolled in the state's medical plan. Visit HealthSelect ERS Maternity Wellness page to learn more about maternity care coverage and benefits.
Our TxDOT offices are proud to be a mother-friendly worksite
TxDOT HQ campuses and some district offices have received the Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite designation through the Texas Department of State Health Services. Visit the Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Directory to find which TxDOT offices are designated as a Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite.
Lactation support app
New parents will receive breastfeeding and baby-feeding support throughPumpspotting, a digital support platform to hellp them navigate the postpartum journey. Employees connect with board-certified lactation consultants, receive community support, track their babies feeding sessions, and us a map locator of places to pump and nurse when traveling across the United States.
Infants at work program
Eligible employees (fathers, mothers, or legal guardians) responsible for the care or guardianship of a child aged six weeks to six months (or until the infant is mobile or crawling) may be eligible to bring their infant to the worksite if the specific work environment is safe and appropriate.
Additional employee benefits
TxDOT offers programs designed to support you in all areas of your life - work and at home. Below are additional benefits available to TxDOT employees:
Employee assistance program (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Program is designed to help TxDOT employees manage their daily responsibilities, work stresses, or any issue affecting their quality of life. Confidential, no cost services are available to all full-time TxDOT employees, employee's household members, and children that live outside of the employee's home up to 27 years old. Services include short term counseling, legal and financial resources, work/life resources, and referrals and personalized wellness resources and services.
Public service loan forgiveness program (PSLFP)
While employed full time, you may qualify for forgiveness of any remaining balance on your Federal Direct Loan Program loans. Under this program, an employee may qualify for forgiveness after the individual has made 120 qualifying payments. This forgiveness program applies to any public service organization, which includes government agencies such as TxDOT.
Education programs
Tuition assistance program (TAP)
We offer a competitive tuition assistance program for eligible employees to pursue either an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree from an accredited higher education institution of their choosing. TxDOT will pay tuition and mandatory fees up to a maximum of $3,500 per semester.
GED program
We offer an online self-paced GED completion program for eligible employees. TxDOT will pay for program fees and aid in obtaining education related resources.
Associates degree program
We offer an online associate degree program for eligible non-degreed employees from a partnering accredited higher education institution. TxDOT will pay tuition, fees, books, and mandatory supplies.
Career development program
This program is aligned with TxDOT’s Strategic Goal 7: Value Our Employees and we support the development of a skilled and engaged workforce that is ready to compete for future TxDOT positions. We are passionate about providing various education and development resources, opportunities, and training to employees at all levels of the agency. TxDOT offers extensive growth opportunities focused on technical and professional skills to align with your chosen career path. We also prepare aspiring surveyors and engineers to obtain their professional licenses by providing job-related development programs.
Other employee perks
In addition to our healthcare coverage, retirement plans, total compensation benefits, and employee wellness program, TxDOT employees have access to many other benefits and perks:
- Flexible work strategies are available to eligible employees when it is mutually beneficial to the employee and TxDOT.
- Compressed work week: Employees may work a compressed work schedule - typically four 10-hour days in a row.
- Flexible work schedule: Employees may be given approval to work a nonstandard work schedule as long as it does not adversely affect business operations and standard hours of operations are maintained.
- TxDOT offers an employee benefit to help you resolve legal matters and plan for various stages of life through Texas Legal which offers affordable legal representation. Members pay an affordable monthly premium and, when a legal issue arises, Texas Legal will pay the participating attorney directly with no deductibles or co-pays.
- Time off for federal and state agency holidays.
- Paid leave and tax deductions when you commute with others to and from work.
- Discounted services through the employee discount purchase program Beneplace.
- Employee recognition for years of services and other statewide achievements.
TxDOT is an Equal Opportunity Employer.