Benefits Plan Overview

Pre-Tax Benefits

Cancer Benefits: Colonial Life

Accident Benefits: Colonial Life

Medical Bridge Benefits: Colonial Life

Post-Tax Benefits

Short-Term Disability Benefits: Colonial Life

Critical Illness Benefits: Colonial Life

Whole Life Insurance: Colonial Life

Additional Benefits

Student Loan Assistance Program: GradFin

Please note your insurance products will remain in effect unless you speak with a representative to change them.

Enrollment Period: NOVEMBER 6, 2023 – NOVEMBER 17, 2023

Effective Dates: JANUARY 1, 2024 – DECEMBER 31, 2024

ELIGIBILITY:

– All employees are eligible for benefits.

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

– When do my benefits start? The plan year for Colonial Insurance products lasts from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

– When do my deductions start? Deductions for Colonial Insurance products will begin January 2024 for Custodians, Bus Drivers, and Child Nutrition. Deduction for Colonial Insurance products will begin December 2023 for all other employees.

– Why have my Cancer, Accident, or Medical Bridge benefits not started yet? The Colonial Cancer plan and the Health Screening Rider on the Colonial Accident and Colonial Medical Bridge plan have a 30-day waiting period for new enrollees. Coverage, therefore, will not begin until January 31, 2024.

– I want to sign my family up for benefits as well, what information will I need? If signing up for any coverage on your spouse and/or children, please have their dates of birth and social security numbers available when speaking with the Benefits Representative.

–What does Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax Change? Pre-Tax benefits take funds directly from your paycheck to cover benefits before going through State and Federal taxing process. Post-Tax collects funds for benefits after taxes have been taken out. Please be aware there are certain coverages that may be subject to federal and state tax when premium is paid by pretax deduction or employee contribution.

– Can I sign up for PEBA Benefits as well? No, Pierce Group Representatives are not authorized to assist employees with PEBA enrollment or make enrollment elections on an employee’s behalf. PEBA information is included in this guide for informational purposes only. Please see the following page for ways to access your benefits and enrollment information.

– Can I change my benefit elections outside of the enrollment period? Elections made during this enrollment period CANNOT BE CHANGED AFTER THE ENROLLMENT PERIOD unless there is a family status change, otherwise known as a qualifying life event (QLE), as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Examples of a QLE can be found here. Once a QLE has occurred, an employee has 30 days to notify PGB’s Service Center at 1-833-556-0006. to request a change in elections.

– I have a pre-existing condition. Will I still be covered? Some policies may include a pre-existing condition clause. Please read your policy carefully for full details.

PEBA BENEFITS & ENROLLMENT:

– PEBA administers the state’s employee insurance programs for South Carolina’s public workforce. PEBA benefit elections are processed through PEBA’s MyBenefits and Member Access portals. Learn more about the benefits available to employees by visiting the link below.

To view the PEBA Insurance Summary, click on the link and, once the new page loads, click on ‘2024 Insurance Summary’: https://www.peba.sc.gov/oe