It’s in the mail

Look for Open Enrollment information

Check your home mailbox for important benefits and Open Enrollment information mailed recently to the address you have listed in PeopleSoft. Open Enrollment takes place Nov. 1 – 15 and you can start preparing now.

What’s changing?

• New online enrollment tool: This year, we’ll be using an updated PeopleSoft tool featuring a new look and feel and a mobile-friendly interface—making it easier to complete Open Enrollment using your smart phone or tablet. For details, step-by-step instructions, and screenshots, watch the Completing Open Enrollment with PeopleSoft video and read the Open Enrollment PeopleSoft Guide.
• Benefit changes: Several benefit changes become effective Jan. 1, 2021. See 2021 Key Benefit Changes or watch the Open Enrollment Overview video to see what’s changing for your benefit group.

Learn more at a virtual information session

Get a head start on understanding your 2021 benefit changes, learn more about the updated Open Enrollment tool, and get your questions answered at a live information session hosted by your Benefits Team. This event will be held on a variety of days and times to accommodate your schedule.

Register for an information session

Why participate in Open Enrollment?

• Enroll in a Flexible Spending Account—Health Care and Dependent Day Care FSAs reduce your taxable income—saving you money. You must re-enroll every year during Open Enrollment. The Health Care FSA maximum contribution for 2021 is $2,750.

• Select the appropriate Benefit Access Fee—or exemption. If you cover a spouse or domestic partner on your medical plan, a Benefit Access Fee may be automatically applied, depending on your benefit group and the plan you choose. If you qualify for an exemption, you must confirm this each year during Open Enrollment. If no action is taken during Open Enrollment and you later determine that you qualified for an exemption, fees already deducted will not be refunded.

• Change medical plans—Use the Plan Comparison Charts and other resources on the Medical plans page to consider whether Kaiser SmartCare or KingCare Select (Regence) makes sense for your family. These plans will likely save you money, with lower deductibles, copays, and Benefit Access Fees. The KingCare (Regence) plan is also still available.

• Give—Contribute to your favorite nonprofit in the Employee Giving Program during the Annual Giving Drive. Pledges must be renewed each year. Your donations to the nonprofits you selected do not automatically roll over.

What if you don’t participate in Open Enrollment?

• You will remain enrolled in your current medical plan.
• The Benefit Access Fee associated with your medical plan and benefit group will be automatically applied if you cover your spouse or domestic partner.
• You will not be enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account.
• Your other benefit choices will remain the same for next year.

More Open Enrollment and benefits information

Learn more

Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations 206-684-1556 or KC Benefits
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday (closed Veterans Day, Nov. 11)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Benefits office is closed for walk-in service.