Benefits forMcDowell Technical Community College
Congratulations on your new employment! Your employment means more than just a paycheck. Your employer also provides eligible employees with a valuable benefits package. Below you will find information about how to enroll in these benefits as a new employee.
Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, and Colonial Life Insurance Products - Please call PGB’s Employee Services within 30 days of your date of hire and a PGB Benefits Representative will help you enroll in benefits. The Employee Services number is located in the contact section of this guide. You also have the option to self-enroll, if you choose, within 30 days of your date of hire. Please see the self-enrollment instructions in this guide for more information.
Be sure to also review your group’s custom benefits microsite, that allows for easy, year-round access to benefit information, live chat support, benefit explainer videos, plan certificates and documents, and carrier contacts and forms.
Important Information About Your Enrollment
IN-PERSON & SELF-ENROLL
During your annual enrollment period, a PGB Benefits Representative will be available by appointment to meet with you one-on-one to help you evaluate your benefits based on your individual and family needs, answer any questions you may have, and assist you in the enrollment process. If you prefer, you may also self-enroll online following the instructions on the Enrollment Instructions page of this site.
ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD: October 27, 2025 – November 7, 2025
ELIGIBILITY:
– Permanent employees working 30 hours or more per week and contribute to the North Carolina State Retirement System are eligible for benefits.
IMPORTANT NOTICES:
– When do my benefits start? The plan year for Colonial Life Insurance Products and Group Term Life, Delta Dental, EyeMed Vision, and Call-A-Doctor Plus Telemedicine runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
– When do my deductions start? Deductions for Delta Dental and EyeMed Vision start December 2025 for enrolled employees. Deductions for Colonial Life Insurance Products and Group Term Life start January 2026 for enrolled 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, 2026.
– What is an EAP? Your Group Term Life coverage includes Health Advocate Employee Assistance + Work/Life Programs. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support and resources for personal or work-related challenges and concerns. Please see the Group Term Life pages of this benefit guide for more details and contact information.
– 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.
– Can I sign up for Health Insurance as well? No, Pierce Group Representatives are not authorized to assist employees with their SHP enrollment or make SHP enrollment elections on an employee’s behalf.
– What is the difference between pre and post-tax benefits? Pre-tax benefit contributions are taken from an employee’s paycheck before state and federal taxes are applied. Post-tax benefit contributions are paid after taxes are deducted. It’s important to note that some coverages may still be subject to taxes even if paid for through pre-tax deduction or employee contribution.
– 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.
– 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.
YOU CAN MAKE THE FOLLOWING BENEFIT ELECTIONS DURING THE ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD:
• Enroll in, change, or cancel Dental Insurance.
• Enroll in, change, or cancel Vision Insurance.
• Enroll in, change, or cancel Group Term Life Insurance.
• Enroll in Telemedicine coverage.
• Enroll in, change, or cancel Colonial coverage.
IMPORTANT NOTE & DISCLAIMER
This is neither an insurance contract nor a Summary Plan Description and only the actual policy provisions will prevail. All information in your benefits guide including premiums quoted is subject to change. All policy descriptions are for information purposes only. Your actual policies may be different than those in the benefits guide.