July 15, 2005 UNT Inhouse publication: Summer benefits enrollment begins July 25

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Summer benefits enrollment begins July 25

Between July 25 and Aug. 19, UNT employees have the opportunity to add or make changes to certain benefit packages, including TexFlex Dependent Care and Health Care Reimbursement accounts, the State Kids Insurance Program, HealthSelect medical insurance, dental plans and several life and disability insurance packages.

Attention TexFlex account holders

Faculty and staff who have TexFlex accounts now have until Nov. 15 to use funds deposited during fiscal year 2004-05 for eligible health and dependent care expenses. Ordinarily, account holders would have to use their funds by Aug. 31. A recent ruling by the Internal Revenue Service now provides a grace period for expenses incurred during the 2004-05 fiscal year.

Faculty and staff who work a nine month year have the option to choose between spreading their salary, and thus their insurance premiums, over 12 months or enrolling in premium reserve, which deducts premiums only during the nine months when the employee is working. Donna Shell, assistant director for human resources benefits, says a change this year will affect when those employees may change their premium deduction option. Nine-month employees who want to enroll in premium reserve and cancel their nine-over-12 salary spread or who want to cancel premium reserve and enroll in the nine-over-12 salary spread must do so during the summer enrollment period.

UNT employees can visit the human resources office, Marquis Hall, Room 150, to fill out the forms required for any benefit changes.

Employees can also use ERS Online (www.ers.state.tx.us) to make changes to their benefits. Employees who do not already have an active ERS Online account will need to call ERS — (512) 867-7711 or (877) 275-4377 — and provide their e-mail address. ERS will then send a password to the employee, which can be used to activate the account. ERS will not provide passwords over the phone. The ERS Online user ID is the employee's Social Security number.

Employees who are not making any changes to their benefits packages do not need to take enrollment steps unless they want to re-enroll in TexFlex. TexFlex accounts must be re-elected during summer enrollment each year in order to be continued.

For more information, contact the benefits office at (940) 565-4250.