King County Benefits and Retirement- King County

Benefits and Retirement

Update Your Address for 2009 Open Enrollment

November 3 is the start of 2009 Open Enrollment. If you’ve moved recently, now is the time to update your mailing address with the county so that you can receive important benefits information in mid-October. To update your address, contact your payroll or human resources representative by Friday, September 19.

This year, you’ll receive a postcard instead of a packet of information in the mail. The postcard will highlight changes and things you need to do during Open Enrollment. It will also direct you to an Open Enrollment Web site where you can read all of the information you would normally receive in the annual open enrollment packet.

If you have questions about your benefits, contact Benefits and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556 or kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov.

September Face of BROS

Our September BROSnian is Moneca Allen, deferred compensation program manager. Deferred compensation is the county’s supplemental retirement plan. Similar to a 401-k, deferred comp is a long-term, pretax retirement plan based on your choices from the plan’s investment portfolio.

"I’ve been managing the deferred compensation program since 1998. I really enjoy helping people get started in the program because I believe in it 100%. I always say, the fact that your employer offers a supplemental retirement plan may suggest that you need to supplement your state retirement, so if you’re not currently participating, call me at 206-263-9250!"

Did U Know?

Qualifying life events allow you to make changes to your benefits outside of the annual open enrollment?

Qualifying life events include:

Marriage or establishment of a domestic partnership
Birth, adoption or placement of a child as a legal ward
Divorce or dissolution of a domestic partnership
Dependent’s loss of eligibility
Death of a covered dependent
Spouse/domestic partner’s loss of coverage under his/her employer.

A qualifying life event allows you to make the following changes:

Add or discontinue dependent coverage
Change your medical plan
Add or change supplemental life insurance
Add or change supplemental accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
Add or change the amount of a flexible spending account.

When you have a qualifying life event, you generally have 30 days from the date of the event to go online and make changes to your benefits. Simply go to www.metrokc.gov/mybenefits and sign in by following the instructions. Then, click the My Life Events link on the left and you are ready to go.

If you need access to a computer, need help using the online system or have questions about qualifying life events, contact Benefits and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556 or e-mail kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov.

Other featured benefits

You can take advantage of free financial, legal and counseling services through the Making Life Easier program and the Employee Assistance Program.

Attend one of the free Home Ownership Program classes – you might be able to save thousands of dollars buying, selling or refinancing your home

Talk to a nurse 24/7

Do you have a question about your health?

KingCare℠ members can call the Informed Health® Line 24/7, toll-free at 1-800-556-1555.

Group Health members have 24/7 access to the toll-free Consulting Nurse Line, 1-800-297-6877.

Understanding Your Benefits

As a King County employee, you receive a comprehensive package of health and insurance benefits. You may also set aside pre-tax dollars into flexible spending accounts to save money on your medical and dependent-care expenses.

Wondering whether your health plan covers a specific condition or procedure? Look it up in your plan booklet (regular employee booklet, part-time transit operator booklet or deputy sheriff booklet), and then contact your plan with follow-up questions. If you need additional help, contact Benefits and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556 or kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov.

Your retirement

Most King County employees participate in one of several mandatory state retirement plans. However, the county also offers you the opportunity to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program as a supplement to your state retirement plan and other investments you may have.

Remember that your financial future is as important as your future health. Be sure to review your retirement options periodically as part of your overall financial planning.

Focus on Employees Benefits and Retirement My Benefits Benefits details Retirement New employee Health and insurance Deferred compensation Flexible spending accounts Leave Administration Other benefits Leaving employment Forms Healthy Incentives HRI Toolkit Flu Shot Program Live Well Challenge Eat Smart Weight Watchers At Work Move More Activity Center Gym Discount Program Quit Tobacco Stress Less Prescriptions - Choose Generics Healthy Workplace Funding Initiative Managers My EAP My Transportation Focus on Employees E-mail us or contact us at: 516 Third Ave. Seattle, WA 98104	KING COUNTY HOME \| NEWS \| SERVICES \| DIRECTORY \| CONTACT Focus on Employees News and information for King County employees and their families You're in: Focus on Employees » Benefits and Retirement print Benefits and Retirement Benefits and Retirement Update Your Address for 2009 Open Enrollment November 3 is the start of 2009 Open Enrollment. If you’ve moved recently, now is the time to update your mailing address with the county so that you can receive important benefits information in mid-October. To update your address, contact your payroll or human resources representative by Friday, September 19. o This year, you’ll receive a postcard instead of a packet of information in the mail. The postcard will highlight changes and things you need to do during Open Enrollment. It will also direct you to an Open Enrollment Web site where you can read all of the information you would normally receive in the annual open enrollment packet. o If you have questions about your benefits, contact Benefits and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556 or kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov. o September Face of BROS Our September BROSnian is Moneca Allen, deferred compensation program manager. Deferred compensation is the county’s supplemental retirement plan. Similar to a 401-k, deferred comp is a long-term, pretax retirement plan based on your choices from the plan’s investment portfolio. o "I’ve been managing the deferred compensation program since 1998. I really enjoy helping people get started in the program because I believe in it 100%. I always say, the fact that your employer offers a supplemental retirement plan may suggest that you need to supplement your state retirement, so if you’re not currently participating, call me at 206-263-9250!" Did U Know? Qualifying life events allow you to make changes to your benefits outside of the annual open enrollment? Qualifying life events include: Marriage or establishment of a domestic partnership Birth, adoption or placement of a child as a legal ward Divorce or dissolution of a domestic partnership Dependent’s loss of eligibility Death of a covered dependent Spouse/domestic partner’s loss of coverage under his/her employer. A qualifying life event allows you to make the following changes: Add or discontinue dependent coverage Change your medical plan Add or change supplemental life insurance Add or change supplemental accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance Add or change the amount of a flexible spending account. When you have a qualifying life event, you generally have 30 days from the date of the event to go online and make changes to your benefits. Simply go to *www.metrokc.gov/mybenefits* and sign in by following the instructions. Then, click the My Life Events link on the left and you are ready to go. If you need access to a computer, need help using the online system or have questions about qualifying life events, contact Benefits and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556 or e-mail kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov. Other featured benefits You can take advantage of free financial, legal and counseling services through the Making Life Easier program and the Employee Assistance Program. Attend one of the free Home Ownership Program classes – you might be able to save thousands of dollars buying, selling or refinancing your home KingCare℠ benefits at a glance for regular employees Group Health benefits at a glance for regular employees KingCare℠ benefits at a glance for part-time transit operators Group Health benefits at a glance for part-time transit operators Home Ownership Program classes Benefits and Retirement Operations Retirement Information Deferred Compensation Program Talk to a nurse 24/7 Do you have a question about your health? KingCare℠ members can call the Informed Health® Line 24/7, toll-free at 1-800-556-1555. o Group Health members have 24/7 access to the toll-free Consulting Nurse Line, 1-800-297-6877. Understanding Your Benefits As a King County employee, you receive a comprehensive package of health and insurance benefits. You may also set aside pre-tax dollars into flexible spending accounts to save money on your medical and dependent-care expenses. o Wondering whether your health plan covers a specific condition or procedure? Look it up in your plan booklet (regular employee booklet, part-time transit operator booklet or deputy sheriff booklet), and then contact your plan with follow-up questions. If you need additional help, contact Benefits and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556 or kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov. Your retirement Most King County employees participate in one of several mandatory state retirement plans. However, the county also offers you the opportunity to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program as a supplement to your state retirement plan and other investments you may have. Remember that your financial future is as important as your future health. Be sure to review your retirement options periodically as part of your overall financial planning.
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	Updated: Sept. 8, 2008