Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re a new hire, you’ll have a task in your Workday inbox inviting you to make your elections. Click here for step-by-step enrollment instructions.

New hires - your benefits are effective date of hire

Open Enrollment - January 1st

Qualifying Life Event changes - date of change as long as you elect within 30 days of the date of change

Please keep in mind the timing of when you are in the carrier systems depends on when you make your elections in Workday.  If you need urgent care and your information isn’t in the applicable carrier system, you can reach out to our Alliant Advocate at samsara@alliant.com or 925-378-6828 to request expedited enrollment.

Eligible dependents include your Spouse, Dependent Children under age 26. You may also enroll your Domestic Partner if they meet the requirements outlined here. Your dependents must be enrolled in the same plans that you enroll in as the employee.

Outside of your new hire window you’re allowed to make changes to your benefits during the annual open enrollment period each fall, or within 30 days of a qualifying life event. Click here for examples of qualifying life events and how to submit this in Workday.

Yes. Even if you don’t plan to enroll in benefits through Samsara, you will still need to log into Workday and choose your beneficiaries for company-provided Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) benefits.

Get all the information you need on the Samsara Benefits Microsite.

Samsara extends benefits to same- and opposite-sex domestic partners of employees who meet certain eligibility criteria. 

1. Are both at least 18 years old

2. Share a close personal relationship and are responsible for each other's welfare

3. Are each other's sole domestic partner

4. Have been in a domestic partner relationship for at least 12 months

5. Are not married to anyone/and have not had another domestic partner in the past 12 months

6. Are not related by blood closely enough to bar marriage in the state of residence

7. Share the same regular and permanent residence, with the current intent to continue doing so indefinitely

If you and your domestic partner meet the above criteria, you will be required to provide at least one of the following documents to prove joint responsibility for each other’s welfare and financial obligations (any secure information and account balances may be blacked out):

• Registration of your domestic partnership/civil union under the applicable governmental (international, national, state or local) registry service.

• Jointly held mortgage or lease.

• Joint checking or savings account.

• Designation of the employee’s domestic partner as a substantial beneficiary on the employee’s life insurance,  retirement plans, will, or execution of a durable power of attorney in favor of the employee's domestic partner.

Some things to keep in mind when adding a domestic partner:

1. You will be taxed on your dependents' coverage, including premiums that Samsara pays on your partner’s behalf as domestic partnership coverage is not considered pre-tax. 

2. You will only be eligible to remove dependent coverage (and stop paying for it) in the event of a Qualifying Life Event. A break up, or moving out of a shared home, would not be considered a QLE and you would need to wait until Open Enrollment to update your insurance enrollments.

You can confirm if your provider is in-network with Aetna by following the instructions here for the PPO and HDHP plan networks (the network is called Aetna Open Access Managed Choice). If you have additional questions reach out to Aetna at 833-554-1545.

You can review detailed plan guides and summaries here.

By enrolling in an Aetna medical plan through Samsara you’ll also have access to:

• CVS Minute Clinics and CVS Health Hubs for urgent care, preventive care and chronic care covered at 100% (HDHP 100% after deductible is met). 

• Live support through Aetna Concierge Service Representatives available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m PT.  

• The Aetna Health App and the Aetna Member Website to assist with administrative and health needs such as access to your ID card, pay a claim from the app or website, search procedures, access your personal health record and more.

• 24/7 access to to talk to a doctor, therapist, or medical expert anywhere you are by phone or video.

Visit the Samsara Aetna site (password Samsara) to learn more.

The Kaiser HMO is offered for employees located in California, Georgia, and Hawaii. If you live in Hawaii, Kaiser is your only medical option at this time.

There are a few factors to consider when picking a plan including costs, coverage, and network. 

• If you don’t plan on going out of network and prefer lower and predictable costs, you may want to consider the Kaiser HMO if you’re in California, Georgia, or Hawaii. 

• If you think you might go out of network, don’t have many medical expenses beyond preventive care, and want to take advantage of the tax benefits that come from a HSA (and the company contribution), consider the Aetna HDHP.

• If you think you might go out of network and think you’ll have significant medical expenses beyond preventive care, consider the Aetna PPO.

More plan information and details can be found here.

You can review detailed plan guides and summaries here.

If you enroll in Aetna or Kaiser for the first time you will be receiving a new ID card in the mail in about 2 weeks. You can access your Aetna ID card electronically via Aetna.com and the Aetna mobile app. Kaiser ID cards can be accessed via kp.org and the Kaiser Mobile App. Check out the Samsara Microsite for more ways to access your benefits online.

After you’ve submitted your elections in Workday you can reach out to our Alliant Advocate at samsara@alliant.com or 925-378-6828 to request an expedited enrollment.

Modern Health is a mental wellness platform that makes it simple for you to access personalized care for life’s ups and downs — whether at work, at home, or in your relationships. From meditations, digital programs, live community sessions, and 1:1 care such as coaching and therapy, Modern Health brings all your well-being needs into one single place.

Yes, all medical plans include mental health benefits. Additionally, Modern Health can provide assistance in finding in-network providers if you need additional care beyond what’s included in these programs.

Forma provides a modern user experience across various spending accounts, including your FSA, HSA, Commuter, and more. Within your Forma portal, you’ll have access to account information, benefits cards, and Forma Store with discounts to hundred of products and services. You can also reach Forma’s helpful Member Experience team via phone, live chat, and email.

Please review our Flexible Spending Accounts page for the contribution amounts.

You’re only able to enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) if you elect the Aetna HDHP Plan. You and Samsara contribute pre-tax money into this account that you can use for medical, dental, and vision expenses. Any money deposited into your HSA is always yours to keep, even if you leave Samsara. And you can start investing your money into certain funds once your balance reaches $1,000. 

If you don’t enroll in the Aetna HDHP, you can elect a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that you can also use for medical, dental, and vision expenses. The amount you elect during Open Enrollment will be divided between your paychecks and taken out before taxes. Your entire election is available to you at the beginning of the year. Every year the IRS may set a new carry over limit for the next year. Any amount over the IRS limit will be forfeited, and you won’t be able to take your balance with you if you leave Samsara. Learn more about the HCFSA .

Yes! If you enroll in the Aetna HDHP plan Samsara will contribute up to $1,000 for single coverage and up to $2,000 for other coverage. The Samsara contribution is prorated (based on timing you elect the HSA) so you’ll get a portion after each pay period.

Yes, you can rollover your HSA from your previous employee to your Samsara account. Please contact Forma at support@joinforma.com or https://client.joinforma.com/ for instructions.

Disclaimer: It is the employee’s responsibility to make sure that the amount contributed to the HSA is within federal guidelines for a calendar year. HSA contributions that go over the IRS annual contribution limits are not tax-deductible, and employees will be penalized an excise tax. Samsara will not be responsible for any over-contributions. 

If you or your prior employer contributed to an HSA in the same calendar year as you are signing up for the Samsara HSA, you need to take that prior amount into consideration when electing your HSA contribution at Samsara.

Samsara does not automatically stop over-contribution for employees with multiple employers in one calendar year. Samsara will not be able to process any excess contributions due to prior contributions prior to your hire date as an HSA is a personal account.

At no cost to you, the company provides Basic Life Insurance and AD&D to 1x your earnings (including base, commission, and bonus) up to $250,000 with a minimum of $75,000. During your new hire enrollment window you can elect additional optional life insurance up to $300,000 without needing to complete an evidence of insurability (EOI).

Yes, beneficiaries are required for all Life and AD&D plans. You can use any person or entity as your beneficiary and can update this at any time in Workday.

You can elect up to $500,000 in optional life insurance for yourself and up to $250,000 for your spouse. The amount you elect for your spouse can be up to 50% of your election. During your new hire window if you elect anything above an election of $300,000 for yourself and $25,000 for your spouse will require you to complete an Evidence of Insurability (EOI) which will need to be approved by Guardian’s underwriting team. Outside of the new hire window any amount will require EOI. These limits are called a guaranteed issue.

If you elect more than $300,000 of coverage for yourself and $25,000 for your spouse during your new hire window, you will be required to complete an EOI. Or if you increase your coverage after your new hire window you will need to complete an EOI. You can complete the EOI form here. Samsara’s Group Number is 00512133. Guardian will notify Samsara when your coverage is approved and we will update your elections.

At no cost to you, the company provides Short Term Disability (STD) and Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits from 60% of pay to 2/3 pay (66.67%) up to $2,500/week for STD and $12,000/month for LTD. This provides you with additional income if you become disabled and unable to work.

Carrot makes it easy to access fertility care, from basic checkups to egg freezing and In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Growing your family through adoption or surrogacy is also covered through Carrot. View the Carrot page for more information. Visit get-carrot.com/signup and enter your work email address. From there, you can activate your fertility benefits.

Cleo provides support for expecting parents and parents with infants. Whether you’re awaiting your baby’s arrival or figuring out parenthood, Cleo is ready to support you and your family every step of the way.

Benefits include:

• A dedicated Cleo Guide, a certified practitioner matched to your needs.

• Evidence-Based Programs for prenatal, postpartum, lactation, parental leave, return to work, and more.

• A personalized app with virtual sessions, workshops, targeted tips, community resources, and in-app messaging with your dedicated Cleo Guide.

• Milk Stork: breast milk shipping will be available to all Samsara-employed nursing parents while traveling on Samsara business

Expecting parents can get started with Cleo at hicleo.com/activate and register with your Samsara email address.

Yes! You and your Spouse or Partner are both able to access the program. You can invite your partner to join your profile when you begin the enrollment process, or you can add them to your profile after you’ve logged into the app. Once your partner has been added to your profile, they will receive an email prompting them to download the app on their own mobile device.

Through Samsara's partnership with Alliant, you've got access to a dedicated employee advocate. Your advocate can help with benefits coverage questions, questions about plans and claims escalations and resolutions.

Email: samsara@alliant.com

Phone: 925-378-6828

The HootFund program is designed to support and encourage a balanced, healthy lifestyle for all Samsara employees – that is flexible based on the needs of the individual. Samsarians will receive up to $150 (or equivalent to local currency) per quarter for use on a variety of eligible wellness, personal, and professional development expenses.

$150 (or equivalent to local currency) will be deposited into your Forma Account at the beginning of each fiscal quarter. Any unused amount expires, there is no rollover. Please refer to the calendar here for the Quarterly Claim Submission Deadlines.

You can view the list of eligible expenses here.

You may spend your allowance directly through the Forma online store, or submit an expense for reimbursement in Forma. Once approved, you will receive reimbursement directly in your last paycheck of the month in the month following approval. For example, if your claim is approved on January 15, reimbursement will come at the end of February.

Yes, as required by IRS regulations (see IRS Publication 15-B), Samsara is required to treat this program as a taxable fringe benefit. You will only be taxed on the amount you receive under the program, and the amount will be included in your income for tax reporting and withholding purposes.

While you cannot carry over your quarterly HootFund balance, you can set up a recurring reimbursement each quarter until the item is fully reimbursed. For example, if you purchase an exercise bike for $250, you’ll receive $150 reimbursement in Q1, and an additional $100 in Q2.

Approximately one week after your hire date you will be able to access your Hootfund through Forma. You can then log in via Okta.

Samsara’s 401(k) is managed through Fidelity. You can access your 401(k) through your Fidelity portal at 401k.com. For more information visit the Samsara Intranet.

Typically, you’ll be able to access your account on the Wednesday of your start week. If you started on Tuesday due to a holiday on Monday, you will be able to access your account at the start of the next week.

You can update your contributions through your Fidelity account by going to Quick Links > Contributions. If you do not change your election or opt-out within 30 days of your hire date, you will be automatically enrolled in a 1% contribution rate.

Changes will be made as soon as administratively possible, which is generally in 1 to 2 pay periods.

You can see the full lineup of investment options through your Fidelity account by going to Quick Links > Investment Performance and Research.

Samsara employees may contact Fidelity 401(k) at 800-835-5097 or through Fidelity Website and Fidelity Investment Centers

If you do not make your investment choices, you will be invested into a Target Date Fund appropriate for your approximate age of retirement.

Yes, Samsara matches up to 4% of your eligible contributions. The match and contributions will only come out of your base pay. The Samsara match is contributed the same regardless of Roth vs. Traditional pre-tax deferrals. The match is treated like traditional pre-tax in that the contributions and earnings are taxed.

• Questions: Contact Fidelity 401(k) at 800-835-5097 or through Fidelity Website and

  Fidelity Investment Centers

You can contribute up to 85% of your base pay up to the IRS annual limit.

Yes. Our plan offers additional after-tax contribution with In-Plan Roth Conversion. You can update your contributions through your Fidelity account by going to Quick Links > Contributions.

Samsara does not provide a company match on the after-tax contributions.

Samsara does a true up at the end of the year, so as long as you contribute at least 4% of your base pay by the end of the year, you’ll receive the full 4% match.

A true-up guarantees you will receive the full 4% company match on eligible earnings, as long as you contribute at least 4% of your eligible earnings by the end of the year. So for example, if you only contributed 2% for part of the year, and 6% during part of the year, as long as you’ve contributed at least 4% of your earnings by the end of the year, Samsara will ensure you receive the full 4% company match.

Yes, the Samsara 401(k) plan does allow for these types of contributions. Please review the details on the 401(k) page.

Please send an email to payroll@samsara.com with the amount you’ve contributed to another 401(k) this year so they can make sure you do not contribute over the annual limit.