2013 Annual Benefit Enrollment
Overview
Welcome to the 2013 Annual Benefit Enrollment. Benefits are an important and valuable part of your total compensation from the City of Fargo so it’s essential you take the time to review your current benefit elections and determine if you would like to make any changes for 2013. The enrollment period begins October 22 and ends November 9, 2012. Below, you will find information on all of the benefits offered and instructions on how to change your benefit elections if you choose to do so.
The deadline to complete your on-line enrollments and submit any applications/forms is November 9, 2012. No enrollments or changes will be accepted after November 9.
Personalized Benefit Statement
The Personalized Benefit Statement gives you a snapshot of the benefits you are currently enrolled in and a breakdown of your estimated contributions as well as the City’s estimated contributions to your benefits on an annual basis.
You will be accessing your Personalized Benefit Statement through the same ATS website you currently use to access your check stubs and W-2’s. You’ll notice a new menu item has been added to the left hand column titled “My Benefits”. If you have not used the ATS system recently and need to re-familiarize yourself with the process or request a new password, please see the instructions below:
NDPERS Health Insurance
There are no changes to the NDPERS Health Insurance plan or premiums effective January 1, 2013; however, the ND Legislature will be in session in early 2013. If changes are made effective July 1, 2013, we will notify you as soon as possible.
If you are not making any changes to your health insurance no action is required; however, we encourage you to log on to NDPERS Member Self Service to verify your current level of coverage and covered dependents. If no changes are made you will maintain the current level of benefits for which you are currently enrolled.
NDPERS is no longer utilizing paper forms. If you choose to make any changes effective January 1, 2013 such as adding/dropping dependents or changing your level of coverage, you will need to click on the link below to get to the NDPERS Member Self Service Site. All of your changes must be made through this site by November 9, 2012. In order to log onto the site, you will need your NDPERS Member Identification Number (this is different from number on your health insurance card). For those of you who already participate in NDPERS Defined Benefit Plan (Pension) and/or NDPERS Health Insurance, you would have been issued a number when you first enrolled. If you do not know your number, please contact Human Resources at 241-1321 or e-mail the address listed below to request your number.
If you currently do not have NDPERS pension or health insurance and you are planning to enroll in the NDPERS health insurance for 2013 you will need a PERS ID number. Human Resources will be able to assist you with obtaining your PERS ID number at the Benefit Fair. Please complete the Member Personal Data Checklist and bring it with you to the Benefits Fair.
MetLife Dental Insurance
There are no changes to the benefits provided under the plan for the coming year. The premiums will be increasing by 6% effective January 1, 2013 which equates to an increase of $4.72 per month for an employee enrolled in a family plan.
If you are not making any changes to your dental insurance and want to continue the current level of coverage, no action is required. If you wish to make changes such as adding/dropping dependents or changing your level of coverage, you will need to print the MetLife application found below, complete it and turn it in to Human Resources by November 9.
Avesis Vision Insurance
The current vision insurance plan through Avesis is effective for a two year period beginning January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013. For those of you who enrolled in the vision insurance effective January 1, 2012, your coverage will continue with no change to premiums through the end of 2013. If you are not currently enrolled and you wish to enroll, your next opportunity to add vision insurance will be during next year’s enrollment period with an effective date of January 1, 2014. The only time changes are allowed to vision insurance during this two-year period is within 30 days of a qualifying event.
Life Insurance
During the benefit fair, representatives from Premier Benefits Group will provide current enrollees with an individualized Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Statement. If you want to keep your current level of coverage, no action is required. If you are currently enrolled and would like to change your level of coverage, indicate the change you wish to make on your individualized Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Statement and return the completed form to Human Resources by November 9.
In addition, if you are enrolling in life insurance or are making any changes to the level of coverage for yourself, your spouse or your children, you will need to complete an Evidence of Insurability Form. The only change that doesn’t require the completion of an Evidence of Insurability Form is for employees currently enrolled who are increasing only by $10,000.
Flexible Spending Accounts
A substantial change to the medical flexible spending account for 2013 is the decrease to the annual maximum to $2,500 per year. The dependent care annual maximum remains $5,000. For more information on the Flexible Spending Accounts, refer to the Flexible Spending Account Guide.
The Flexible Spending Accounts do not automatically renew so you will need to complete the web enrollment or the Flexible Spending Account Data Collection Worksheet to participate by November 9.
Pension Plans
Contributions to NDPERS Pension, City of Fargo Pension, Police Pension and Fire Pension will be increasing in 2013. The employee’s contribution for all plans will increase by 1% and the City’s contribution will increase by 1% on January 1, 2013. In addition, supplemental contributions by the City, as recommended by the plan actuary and approved by City Commission, will occur in 2013.
City and Police Pension statements will be mailed out later this year.
457 Plans
Review your current contribution level (see your personalized benefit statement). NDPERS Retirement participants should consider the PEP Provision when determining your contribution level. If you would like to enroll in a 457, the providers will be available at the benefit fair to assist you or you can contact Human Resources. If you are currently contributing to a 457 and want to change your contribution level, you will need to print and complete a 457 Deferral Change Form. You can enroll in a 457 and/or change your contribution at anytime throughout the year.
Payroll Calendar and Pay Scales
The 2013 Payroll Calendar and the 2013 Pay Scales (which remain the same as those distributed in July 2012) are available at Payroll Calendar and Pay Scale.
Deadlines
The deadline to complete your on-line enrollments and submit any applications/forms is November 9, 2012.
No enrollments or changes will be accepted after November 9.
If you have any questions or need assistance in completing any of your benefit election changes, please contact Human Resources at 241-1321. We are happy to help you with your benefit enrollment.
