Open Enrollment Season for Employee Benefits

Reviewing your benefit choices to maximize what your employer offers

It’s once again open enrollment for employee benefits. Before you plan your Thanksgiving menu, you should make the time to review your benefit choices.

Employee benefit experts expect benefits to change next year like few years before – given the rising costs of health care and the impact of COVID-19 on businesses this year. Even if little changed in your life in 2020 – and that’s probably unlikely – you should aim to maximize what your employer offers.

Here are a few pointers.

Medical

Even if you carry the same plan as in many past years, spend a few minutes evaluating which one is best for you and your family when you choose – especially High-Deductible Health Plans and traditional plans.

Switching from the traditional plan to a high-deductible option might save money if you don’t visit the doctor much. Perhaps too your spouse’s company now offers a better plan and you can switch the family coverage to the better alternative.

Improved employer plan descriptions lay out plans’ differences and costs and do that much better this year. Take advantage of their free help, online or in person.

Dental

Often you receive only one choice for dental coverage, but you might be surprised at how many people decline to pay the relatively small premium for this coverage. Even if young and cavity-free, you take care of your teeth now to potentially prevent large dental bills in retirement.

If nothing else, dental insurance provides a teeth-cleaning twice a year.

Vision

This benefit works great if you wear glasses or contacts and need regular eye exams. Those with perfect vision may opt out of this coverage.

Life Insurance

Most employers offer some basic life insurance, the coverage usually a multiple of your salary. If you are married, own a home or have kids, this basic coverage usually falls short.

Consider paying extra if possible, to increase life coverage through your employer. If that’s not an option, consider supplementing this minimal coverage with a term policy from an independent provider. These policies come with set duration limits on coverage and you decide whether to renew once the policy expires.

Remember that whatever life coverage your employer pays for vanishes if you leave that company.

Long-Term Disability

Standard coverage in this category usually pays 60% to 66% of your compensation if you become disabled and unable to work.

As this coverage often comes with a cap, if you are highly compensated, this insurance might also fall short to sustain your standard of living. Estimate your minimum to live on if you become unable to work and, if that number scares you, consider purchasing a supplemental policy.

Long-Term Care Insurance

This pays for assisted living, a nursing home or in-home care late in your life.

Even as our lifespans increase, long-term care premiums escalate. If your employer offers any coverage at a relatively inexpensive group rate, consider locking in some protection. Financial advisors normally recommend LTCI when you turn age 50 – getting it while you are young and healthy under an employer plan may still make sense.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

If you participate in a qualifying high deductible health insurance plan (HDHP), you can participate in a Health Savings Account (HSA). For 2021, you can contribute up to $3,600 for a self only plan and $7,200 for a family plan. If you are over age 55, you can make an additional $1,000 “catch-up” contribution. If you participate in an HDHP and you maintain a related health savings account, you can only take advantage of a limited purpose FSA.

Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

This savings account reduces your taxable income and funds medical co-pays, orthodontist appointments and prescription drug orders, among other expenses. The contribution limit to an FSA for 2021 is $2,750 per employee. Each spouse in the household may contribute up to the limit to their employer’s FSA.

Remember that if you participate in an HDHP and you maintain a related health savings account and can only take advantage of a limited purpose FSA.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

If you pay for day care, after-school programs or summer day camps for children under age 13 or for elder care for a dependent parent, DCAs help you offset that cost with pre-tax dollars. Again, a working couple can set aside up to $5,000 from paychecks.

Life Planning Resources

This wide-ranging employee benefit is being offered more and more, from simple mental-health hotlines to complete menus of services.

For instance, if you lack a will, many companies now offer reduced-rate or even complimentary legal services to establish your basic estate planning documents. Others offer financial planning and weight-loss programs – sometimes even gym memberships.

Your Financial Advisor

Finally, while your employer will offer resources to help you navigate the menu of employee benefits, your financial advisor is well versed in ensuring your benefits are consistent with your overall financial plan and is a great resource too.

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