Look for Open Enrollment information in your mailbox

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… Read More

Love your King County employee benefits? 

Want to help spread the word about the great employee benefits King County provides? The Benefits Team is looking for employees who utilize and love their employee benefits. If this is you—and you’d like to find out even more and help your coworkers learn about their benefit choices during Open Enrollment, Nov. 1–15, let us know!  Later this month, you will be provided with virtual training and materials, so that you can encourage participation in Open Enrollment, answer questions, and offer support to the people you work with.  Participation is strictly voluntary, on… Read More

Make the most of your FSAs during the pandemic 

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted many aspects of daily life, and may have affected the amounts you are spending on day care and health care. The following reminders can help you make the most out of your Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), which allow you to set aside pre-tax money for day care and medical expenses.  Day Care FSAs  With many schools and daycare facilities closed, many employees are struggling to find a provider who can watch their children during working hours. If your day care expenses have changed due to the COVID pandemic, you… Read More

Routine dental care again allowed 

Dentists began seeing patients for routine visits again on May 19. Prior to reopening, dental offices have implemented new protocols, including additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to further protect the health and safety of you and your family members.  Some employees have reported that their dentists are charging them for the additional PPE needed to prevent the transmission of COVID 19. Delta Dental is now paying dentists an additional amount for each visit to cover the cost of PPE. Covered members are not required to pay any additional charges for PPE. Delta… Read More

Use new W-4 to change your tax withholding 

Form W-4 is used to let your employer know how much federal income tax to withhold from your pay. The IRS recommends completing a new Form W-4 when your personal or financial situation changes. This year, the IRS redesigned Form W-4 to reduce complexity and improve accuracy. Go to the IRS website for information about Tax Withholding, FAQs on the 2020 Form W-4, and a Tax Withholding Estimator. If you would like to adjust the amount withheld from your King County paycheck for tax purposes, please use PeopleSoft to update your W-4: Sign in to PeopleSoft…. Read More

FSA rules relaxed in response to COVID-19 

During Open Enrollment last year, you may have elected a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to have money taken from your paycheck, pretax, to pay for dependent day care or certain medical expenses not covered by your health plan. Now, your expenses may have changed due to the coronavirus pandemic, so the IRS has relaxed rules pertaining to Health Care and Dependent Day Care FSAs. These changes are effective through the end of 2020. Increase or decrease your FSA contribution If you have a Health Care or Dependent Day Care FSA, you can… Read More

HRA VEBA Plan webinars, June 9 and June 11 

Employees are invited to learn about their HRA VEBA Plan benefits in an online webinar. Topics will include plan features, using the plan, covering expenses, investment options, and getting help. A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) in a Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) provides a tax-free rollover of leave cash-outs to an HRA VEBA Trust at retirement. These funds are used to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses and premiums. Employees who retire from a group that voted to participate in either or both of the HRA VEBA options, will automatically be… Read More

New FSA rules in response to COVID-19 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, contains important provisions that affect Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).   In addition, under existing rules, certain changes in your situation—called “qualifying life events”—may allow you to increase or decrease contributions or enroll or disenroll from your FSAs. For example, if your spouse loses a job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or any other reason, and can no longer participate in their employer’s FSA plan, you can enroll in King County’s Health Care and Day Care FSAs or increase… Read More

How to obtain extra necessary medications to have on hand

King County is committed to the welfare of our employees, and as the COVID-19 virus continues to impact our community, we want employees to know that our prescription benefit vendors have taken steps to address the outbreak and protect employee’s access to medication. The following information will help you and your covered family members obtain extra necessary medication to have on hand. If you have long-term maintenance medications, you are encouraged to refill eligible prescriptions for 90-day supplies via mail-order/home delivery or pick up. This can help reduce the number of trips… Read More

View your W-2 form online 

Your 2019 W-2 form is now available in PeopleSoft to view and print. A paper copy of your W-2 form was mailed last week by ADP to the address you have listed in PeopleSoft.  To view or print your W-2, log in to PeopleSoft from work, choose the Payroll tile, then go to “View W-2/W-2c Forms.” You can also access W-2 forms by registering at the ADP website. If you need help with PeopleSoft, call the KCIT Service Center at 206-263-4357.  Your Form 1095-C—Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage—will also be sent to your home… Read More