benefits FOCUS – June 5, 2015

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What’s the BIG news?!

Open Enrollment is off to a GREAT start! Thanks to the 897 employees who have successfully completed their online Open Enrollment sessions. Here’s the completion rate breakdown by division:

  • Local Government: 36%
  • Schools: 24%
  • CATEC: 19%
  • BRJD/ACRJ: 33%
  • ECC: 59%

What are YOU waiting for? Time’s a tickin’! The online Open Enrollment system is open NOW through June 15th. Don’t wait until next week—you can log-in all weekend long and qualify to win prizes! Open Enrollment is your ONE time of the year to verify your personal information, make any changes you wish to your pre-tax medical and dental elections, enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA/Beneplus), and verify your dependent information. If you wish to participate in the medical or dental flexible (FSA/Beneplus) accounts for the 2015-2016 plan year, you MUST enroll during Open Enrollment. Remember: FSA/Beneplus contracts DO NOT roll from year to year. Any changes you make during the Open Enrollment period do not go into effect until the new plan year (September 1st for the flexible spending accounts and October 1st for the medical/dental plans). READ (BELOW) WHY YOU NEED TO CHECK YOUR DEPENDENT DATA THIS YEAR!!!

You can learn more about your benefits options, see how you can get assistance, and access the online Open Enrollment system by visiting our Open Enrollment information page.

Are you REALLY giving away participation prizes???

You betcha! Here are our lucky winners thus far:

  • Anita Moore, Fiscal Services: Awesome outdoor folding chair with not one, but TWO, cup holders!
  • Kevin Murphy, Henley Middle School: Awesome fix you up on the fly first aid kit!
  • Leslie Chisholm, CATEC: Super awesome gift basket from our EAP provider, Optima!
  • Rachel Falkenstein, Community Development: Also super awesome flying disc—this baby does 360° corkscrew spins (good for blowing away the Frisbee crowd or driving your dog nuts—your choice)!

So, what do I need to do?

Completing your online Open Enrollment session is EASY! All you have to do is go here to log-in. You’ll need to:

  • Check the box indicating you’ve read the instructions (because, of course you did!).
  • Enter your last name, exactly as it appears on your paystub.
  • Enter the last 5 digits of your SSN. (If you only enter 4 digits, you’ll have to try again …)
  • Create a password when prompted.

Once you’re in, you need to:

  • Review your information and VERIFY your dependent data (gender, date of birth and Social Security Number); read below why it’s so important that you do this!
  • Make any changes/corrections.
  • Enroll in a medical or dependent care FSA (flexible spending account); read more here about WHY the medical FSA is a great idea next year.
  • Hit the confirm button to save your visit! (If you don’t see a confirmation page that prompts you to either print or email a confirmation, you did not save the visit.)

Why do I especially need to check my dependent data?

Beginning this year, we’ll be holding your dependent data (spouse and children) in our payroll system in preparation for some new IRS reporting requirements we’ll have to meet effective January 1st. Because YOU will also be getting a new type of tax form reflecting your coverage here (including the dependents you cover), it’s VITAL that you verify your dependent data (date of birth, gender, SSN) in order to correct errors NOW, rather than later. April 14th would be a really bad time to discover incorrect data on those forms!

Where can I find more information about Open Enrollment and my benefits options?

You can learn more about:

  • What Open Enrollment is and why you should participate;
  • Plan rates and options;
  • Spousal eligibility;
  • Annual notices;
  • Why a medical flexible spending account (FSA) makes sense next year; and
  • MUCH more

by visiting our Open Enrollment information page.

Have questions? Human Resources staff are available to answer questions and help you through this process! Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 434-296-5827 if you need assistance.

For more detailed information about your employee benefits, our web pages are always available when you are.