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City of Bessemer City Overview of Benefits 2026

PRE-TAX BENEFITS
Flexible Spending Accounts: Ameriflex

– Medical Reimbursement Maximum: $3,300/year
– Dependent Care Reimbursement Maximum: $7,500/year
Please note there is a card fee of $4.00 that is the responsibility of the employee.
You will need to re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Accounts if you want them to continue next year.
IF YOU DO NOT RE-ENROLL, YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL STOP EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31, 2025

 Dental Insurance: MetLife
 Vision Insurance: Superior Vision
Cancer Benefits: Colonial Life
Accident Benefits: Colonial Life
Medical Bridge Benefits: Colonial Life

 

POST-TAX BENEFITS
Disability Benefits: Colonial Life
Short-Term Disability Benefits: MetLife
Long-Term Disability Benefits: MetLife
Critical Illness Benefits: Colonial Life
 Group Term Life Insurance: MetLife

– Basic Group Term Life Insurance (Employer-Paid)
– Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance

 Life Insurance: Colonial Life

– Term Life Insurance
– Whole Life Insurance

 

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

 

Enrollment Period: OCTOBER 21, 2025 – OCTOBER 23, 2025

Effective Dates: JANUARY 1, 2026 – DECEMBER 31, 2026

Lenoir County Public Schools Forms & Links 2026

Colonial Life

Dental

Vision

Telemedicine

Life

Student Loan Assistance Program

Long Term Care

ID Theft & Legal Benefits

Flex Accounts

 

Lenoir County Public Schools Colonial Life / Health Advocate EAP + Work/Life Programs 2026

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Health Advocate Employee Assistance Program (EAP), available through your Colonial Life Group Term Life Insurance, offers confidential, short-term counseling from Licensed Professional Counselors for a full range of personal issues and achieving a healthy work/life balance across the life span. In a crisis, emergency help is available 24/7.

– Stress, anxiety, depression

– Relationship, family, parenting issues

– Substance Abuse

– Anger, grief, loss

– Life transitions

– Referrals for additional treatment, as needed

888-645-1772  |   ColonialLife.com/EAP

Work/Life Planning Services

The Health Advocate work/life services, available through your Colonial Life Group Term Life Insurance, offers financial and legal counseling services, as well as grief support and referral for up to 12 months after a claim.

877.240.6863   |   HealthAdvocate.com/members  (Organization Name: ColonialLife-LifePlanning)

Lenoir County Public Schools The FSA Store 2026

Take control of your health and wellness with guaranteed FSA-eligible essentials. Pierce Group Benefits partners with the FSA Store to provide one convenient location for Flexible Spending Account holders to manage and use their FSA funds, and save on more than 4,000 health and wellness products using tax-free health money. Through our partnership, we’re also here to help answer the many questions that come along with having a Flexible Spending Account!

– The largest selection of guaranteed FSA-eligible products

– Phone and live chat support available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week

– Fast and free shipping on orders over $50

– Use your FSA card or any other major credit card for purchases

Other Great FSA Store Resources Available To You

– Eligibility List: A comprehensive list of eligible products and services

– FSA Calculator: Estimate how much you can save with an FSA

– Learning Center: Easy tips and resources for living with an FSA

– Savings Center: Where you can save even more on FSA-eligible essentials

– FSAPerks: Take your health and funds further with the FSA Store rewards program


NEED HELP? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!

FSA Store Customer Service

FSA Store Frequently Asked Questions

Lenoir County Public Schools IMS DCA 2026

Save up to $2,250 on dependent care expenses this year!

Participating in a dependent care flexible spending account (DCA) is like receiving a 30% discount from your care provider.

How does a dependent care FSA work?

A dependent care FSA is a flexible spending account that allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars for dependent care expenses, such as daycare, that allow you to work or look for work.

You choose an annual election amount, up to $7,500 per family. The money is placed in your account via payroll deduction, in equal installments, and then used to pay for eligible dependent care expenses incurred during the plan year.

Why should I enroll in a dependent care FSA?

Child and dependent care is a large expense for many families. Millions of people rely on child care to be able to work, while others are responsible for older parents or disabled family members.

If you pay for care of dependents in order to work, you’ll want to take advantage of the savings this plan offers. Money contributed to a dependent care account is free from federal and most state taxes and remains tax-free when it is spent on eligible expenses. On average, participants enjoy a 30% tax savings on their annual contribution. This means you could be saving up to $2,250 per year on dependent care expenses!

How do I use my DCA to pay for dependent care expenses?

You can use your debit card to pay your provider for eligible dependent care expenses, or pay with your personal funds and submit a claim for reimbursement.

Qualifying Dependents

– Your qualifying child under the age of 13

– Your spouse or qualifying adult child or relative who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care

Qualifying Expenses

What qualifies?

Dependent care FSA funds can cover costs for:

– Before school or after school care for children 12 and younger

– Custodial care for dependent adults

– Licensed day care centers

– Nanny / Au Pair

– Nursery schools or preschools

– Late pick-up fees

– Summer or holiday day camps

What doesn’t qualify?

Certain expenses are not eligible, for instance:

– Expenses incurred in a prior plan year

– Expenses for non-disabled children 13 and older

– Educational expenses including kindergarten or private school tuition fees

– Food, clothing, sports lessons, field trips, and entertainment

– Overnight camp expenses

– Late payment fees for child care

For a full list of eligible expenses, go to www.healthierbenefits.com.

Online & Mobile Access

Get instant access to your account with the IMS Flex Portal and the IMS Flex Wealthcare Mobile App.

– View your account balance and transaction history

– Submit and view claims

– Upload and store receipts

– View important alerts and communications

– Sign up for direct deposit

– Sign up for text message alerts

Register for the IMS Flex Portal at www.healthierbenefits.com. Download the IMS Flex Wealthcare Mobile App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Helpful Hints

– You must have funds in your dependent care FSA before you can spend them.

– You can’t change your election amount during the plan year, unless you experience a change in status or qualifying event.

– Keep your receipts, you will need an itemized invoice for all reimbursement requests.

– The easiest way to manage your account is online at www.healthierbenefits.com or through the IMS Flex Wealthcare Mobile App.

– Any unused funds that remain in your account at the end of the year will be forfeited. Plan carefully and use all the money in your dependent care FSA by the end of the plan year.

Lenoir County Public Schools IMS FSA 2026

Don’t lose the chance to put $990 back into your pocket this year!

Participating in a healthcare flexible spending account (FSA) is like receiving a 30% discount from your medical providers.

How does a healthcare FSA work?

A healthcare FSA is a flexible spending account that allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses for you and your dependents, even if they are not covered under your primary health plan.

You choose an annual election amount. At the beginning of the plan year, your account is pre-funded and your full contribution is immediately available for use. Your election amount is then deducted from your paychecks in equal installments throughout the year.

Why should I enroll in a healthcare FSA?

Almost everyone has some level of predictable and non-reimbursable medical needs.

If you expect to incur medical expenses that won’t be reimbursed by another plan, you’ll want to take advantage of the savings this plan offers. Money contributed to a healthcare FSA is free from federal and most state taxes and remains tax-free when it is spent on eligible expenses. On average, participants enjoy a 30% tax savings on their annual contribution. This means you could be saving up to $990 per year on healthcare expenses!

How do I use my FSA to pay for healthcare expenses?

You can use your debit card to pay your providers for eligible healthcare expenses, or pay with your personal funds and submit a claim for reimbursement.

Qualifying Expenses

What qualifies?

Healthcare FSA funds can cover costs for:

– Copays, deductible payments, coinsurance

– Doctor office visits, exams, lab work, x-rays

– Hospital charges

– Prescription drugs

– Dental exams, x-rays, fillings, crowns, orthodontia

– Vision exams, frames, contact lenses, contact lens solution, laser vision correction

– Physical therapy

– Chiropractic care

– Medical supplies and first aid kits

– Over-the-counter medications

What doesn’t qualify?

Certain expenses are not eligible, for instance:

– Expenses incurred in a prior plan year

– Cosmetic procedures or surgery

– Dental products for general health

– Hygiene products

– Insurance premiums

– Late payment fees charged by healthcare providers

For a full list of eligible expenses, go to www.healthierbenefits.com.

Online & Mobile Access

Get instant access to your account with the IMS Flex Portal and the IMS Flex Wealthcare Mobile App.

– View your account balance and transaction history

– Submit and view claims

– Upload and store receipts

– View important alerts and communications

– Sign up for direct deposit

– Sign up for text message alerts

Register for the IMS Flex Portal at www.healthierbenefits.com. Download the IMS Flex Wealthcare Mobile App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Helpful Hints

– Your full election amount is available on the first day of the plan year, which means you’ll have access to the money you need, when you need it.

– You can’t change your election amount during the plan year, unless you experience a change in status or qualifying event.

– Save your receipts when you spend your healthcare FSA dollars. You may need itemized invoices to verify the eligibility of expenses or for reimbursement requests.

– The easiest way to manage your account is online at www.healthierbenefits.com or through the IMS Flex Wealthcare Mobile App.

– You can’t contribute to an FSA and an HSA within the same plan year. As a married couple, one spouse cannot be enrolled in an FSA at the same time the other is contributing to an HSA.

Lenoir County Public Schools Enrollment Instructions – BenSelect 2026

Below is a series of instructions outlining the online self-enrollment process. Please have the following information available before you begin:

– Username, pin, and enrollment website URL from Step 1 of this page

– Dates of birth and social security numbers of your spouse and any dependents you wish to enroll

– Beneficiary names and social security numbers

Helpful Tips:

– If you are a new employee, please refer here for more information or contact PGB’s Employee Services at 888-662-7500 between 8:30am and 5:00pm for assistance.

– If you are an existing employee and unable to log into the online system, please contact PGB’s Employee Services at 888-662-7500, or speak with the Benefits Representative assigned to your location.

How To Enroll:

1. Logging In 

– Enter your User Name: Social Security Number with or without dashes (ex. 123-45-6789 or 123456789)

– Enter your Pin: Last 4 numbers of your Social Security Number followed by last 2 numbers of your Date of Birth year (ex. 678970)

To login, visit: harmony.benselect.com/lenoircs

2. New PIN

The screen prompts you to create a NEW PIN [__________].

3. Security Questions

Choose a security question and enter answer [__________].

4. Confirm

Confirm (or enter) an email address.

5. Save New PIN

Click on ‘Save New PIN’ to continue to the enrollment welcome screen.

6. Click Next

From the welcome screen click “Next”.

7. Personal Information

The screen shows ‘Personal Information’. Verify that the information is correct and enter the additional required information (marital status, work phone, e-mail address). Click ‘Next’.

8. Adding Family Members

The screen allows you to add family members. It is only necessary to enter family member information if adding or including family members in your coverage. Click ‘Next’.

9. Benefit Summary

The screen shows ‘Benefit Summary’. Review your current benefits and make changes/selections for the upcoming plan year.

10. Sign & Submit

Click ‘Sign & Submit’ once you have decided which benefits to enroll in.

11. Review

Review your coverage. If any items are ‘Pending’, you will need to decide whether to enroll or decline this benefit.

12. Next

Click ‘Next’ to review and electronically sign the authorization for your benefit elections.

13. Sign Form

Review the confirmation, then if you are satisfied with your elections, enter your PIN and click ‘Sign Form’.

14. Download & Print

Click ‘Download & Print’ to print a copy of your elections, or download and save the document. Please do not forget this important step! Click ‘Log Out’.

Lenoir County Public Schools Important Information About Your Enrollment 2026

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 – DECEMBER 5, 2025
ELIGIBILITY:

– Employees working 30 hours or more per week are eligible for benefits.

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

– When do my benefits start? The plan year for Colonial Life Insurance Products and Group Term Life, IMS Flexible Spending Accounts and CHUBB Long Term Care runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. The plan year for Sun Life Dental, Superior Vision, Legal Shield ID Theft and Legal Plan and Call A Doctor Plus Telemedicine runs from February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027.

– When do my deductions start? Deductions for Colonial Life Insurance Products and Group Term Life, IMS Flexible Spending Accounts, Sun Life Dental, Superior Vision, Legal Shield ID Theft and Legal Plan, Call A Doctor Plus Telemedicine and CHUBB Long Term Care start January 2026 for all 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 has 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.

– How do Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds work, and do my FSA funds have to be used by a specific deadline? Flexible Spending Account expenses must be incurred during the plan year to be eligible for reimbursement. After the plan year ends, an employee has 90 days to submit claims for incurred qualified spending account expenses (or 90 days after employment termination date). If employment is terminated before the plan year ends, the spending account also ends. Failure to use all allotted funds in the FSA account will result in a “Use It or Lose It” scenario.

– My spouse is enrolled in an Health Savings Account (HSA), am I eligible for an FSA? As a married couple, one spouse cannot be enrolled in a Medical Reimbursement FSA at the same time the other opens or contributes to an HSA.

– How do Dependent Care Account (DCA) funds work and when do they need to be used? Dependent Care Accounts are like FSA accounts and allow you to request reimbursement up to your current balance. However, you cannot receive more reimbursement than what has been deducted from your pay. It’s important to note that any remaining funds in your DCA account must be utilized before the deadline. Failure to use all allotted funds in the DCA account will result in a “Use It or Lose It” scenario.

– When will I get my card? If you will be receiving a new debit card, whether you are a new participant or to replace your expired card, please be aware that it may take up to 30 days following your plan effective date for your card to arrive. Your card will be delivered by mail in a plain white envelope. During this time you may use manual claim forms for eligible expenses. Please note that your debit card is good through the expiration date printed on the card.

– 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 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/Re-Enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts.⁺
– 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, change, or cancel Long Term Care Benefits.
– Enroll in, change, or cancel Telemedicine coverage.
– Enroll in, change, or cancel ID Theft & Legal Benefits.**
– Enroll in, change, or cancel Colonial coverage.

⁺You will need to re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Accounts if you want them to continue each year.

**Please see the coordinating pages of your Benefits Guide for enrollment instructions for the ID Theft and Legal Plan.

 

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.

Lenoir County Public Schools Overview of Benefits 2026

PRE-TAX BENEFITS
Flexible Spending Accounts: IMS

– Medical Reimbursement Maximum: $3,300/year | $250/year Min
– Dependent Care Reimbursement Maximum: $7,500/year
You will need to re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Accounts if you want them to continue next year.
IF YOU DO NOT RE-ENROLL, YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL STOP EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31, 2025

 Dental Insurance: Sun Life
 Vision Insurance: Superior Vision
Cancer Benefits: Colonial Life
Accident Benefits: Colonial Life
Medical Bridge Benefits: Colonial Life

 

POST-TAX BENEFITS
Disability Benefits: Colonial Life
Critical Illness Benefits: Colonial Life
Basic Group Term Life Insurance: Sun Life
 Group Term Life Insurance: Colonial Life

– Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance
– Including EAP + Work/Life Programs

 Life Insurance: Colonial Life

– Term Life Insurance
– Whole Life Insurance

Telemedicine Benefits: Call A Doctor Plus
ID Theft & Legal Benefits: Legal Shield
Long Term Care Benefits: CHUBB

 

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: OCTOBER 27, 2025 – DECEMBER 5, 2025

Effective Dates: JANUARY 1, 2026 – DECEMBER 31, 2026​​ (Colonial, FSA and Long Term Care)

FEBRUARY 1, 2026 – JANUARY 31, 2027 (All Other Benefits)

City of Lancaster Enrollment Assistance – Gathr 2026

You will be able to use the Gathr site to make your annual enrollment benefit elections, view your current elections, make life event changes, update family and/or beneficiary information, access benefit materials (i.e. plan summary documents or forms), etc.

FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW TO COMPLETE THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS: 

1. Logging In

To self-enroll online, please visit: https://gathr.goco.io/companies/city-of-lancaster/invite/MzY0

– Returning users: Enter your Social Security Number and Date of Birth and click ‘Continue.’ Log in with the username and password you setup upon initial onboarding. If necessary, click ‘Forgot login or password?’ above the Password field to locate the email address used or reset your password.

– First-time users: Enter your Social Security Number and Date of Birth and click ‘Continue.’ Follow the system prompts to setup your account and two-factor authentication.

2. Onboarding (only applicable to first-time users)

– Complete the onboarding steps by verifying your Personal Info and Contact Info. Then click ‘Finish.’

3. Next Steps (only applicable to first-time users)

– Click ‘Continue’ to navigate to the homepage.

4. Start Enrollment

– Click ‘Start Enrolling.’

5. Dependent Information

– You will need to add any dependents you wish to enroll before moving forward. Then click ‘Continue.’

Tip: Have dependent details handy. To enroll a dependent in coverage you will need their Social Security Number and Date of Birth.

6. Enroll in Benefits

– Click ‘Start’ next to each benefit to enroll in that benefit or waive coverage. Once you’ve finished enrolling, click ‘Continue.’

Tip: If you miss a benefit it will be marked Incomplete. Click ‘Start’ next to any Incomplete benefits to enroll in or waive coverage.

7. Review & Confirm Benefit Elections

– Click ‘Start’ next to Enrollment Summary. Next, fill in your legal name and click ‘Click here to sign’ to sign your enrollment summary. Then, check the box next to ‘I have read and reviewed my benefit enrollments.’ Finally, click ‘Sign.’

8. Finish Enrollment

– If you are finished making elections, click ‘Yes, I’m Finished’ to complete your enrollment. NOTE: If you click ‘Yes, I’m Finished,’ you will no longer be able to make changes to your elections.

– If you would like to save your elections and make changes later, click ‘Finish Later.’ NOTE: If you click ‘Finish Later,’ your enrollment is not complete and you will need to finish the enrollment before the enrollment period ends.

City of Lancaster Important Information About Your Supplemental Benefits Enrollment 2026

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: November 3, 2025 – November 7, 2025
ELIGIBILITY:

– Employees must work 30 hours or more per week to qualify for supplemental benefits.

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

– When do my supplemental benefits start? The plan year for Colonial Insurance Products runs from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.

– When do my deductions for supplemental benefits start? Deductions for Colonial Insurance Products start January 2026 for enrolled employees.

– Why have my supplemental 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.

– I want to sign my family up for supplemental 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 is the difference between pre and post-tax supplemental 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 SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFIT ELECTIONS DURING THE ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD:

– 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 on this microsite including premiums quoted is subject to change. All policy descriptions are for information purposes only. Your actual policies may be different than those on this microsite.