HR Memo - JSU Flexible Benefit Plan

To: Jacksonville State University Full-time Employees
From: Human Resources
Re: JSU Flexible Benefit Plan - OPEN ENROLLMENT
Date: October 22, 2004

Once per year you may enroll in or modify your election in JSU's Flexible Benefit Plan. As you know, this plan will allow PEEHIP insurance premiums and payroll deductions for medical reimbursement of certain health care expenses and dependent care benefits to be paid with pretax dollars. By doing this, you may save federal, state, and FICA tax on your premium payments, medical reimbursement, and/or dependent care deductions.

Benefit Elect is now our plan administrator. Direct payment of expenses is available by debit card, direct deposit is available for medical expenses you have paid out of pocket, and some over-the-counter medications are now eligible expenses. To learn more, attend a Benefit Elect session scheduled on November 1 & 2, 2004. Details to be announced.

Also new for 2005 is an increased limit on the Medical Reimbursement account to $5,000 per year. The maximum available for the Dependent Care Program remains at $5,000, $2,500 if single or married filing separately. The minimum participation rate for either type of accounts remains at $240 annually.

If you wish to begin participation or change your current level of participation, your completed enrollment form must be received in Human Resources by November 30, 2004. Biweekly deductions will change on the checks received January 4, 2005. Monthly deductions will change on checks received January 3, 2005. All changes will be effective January 1, 2005. If you do not want to change existing Flexible Benefit plan benefits, you need not respond at this time.

To make changes, come to the Human Resources Office to complete the appropriate form, or call 5007 to request that forms be forwarded to you through campus mail. For detailed questions, you may call KaSandra Russaw, our new Manager, Benefits & HRIS, at 8893. Plan description booklets are available upon request.

As a reminder to those currently participating in the Medical Reimbursement or Dependent Care programs, you have until March 31, 2005, to present claims for reimbursement. These claims must be for services during the period January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2004 and filed with Benefit Elect. You may download a Benefit Elect Reimbursement Voucher on the Human Resources Forms page.

PLEASE NOTE: This is the only opportunity for present employees to enroll or modify their current agreement for 2005.

---

Submit items for news releases by using the request form at http://www.jsu.edu/news/requestform.html.