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 links below.

PEBA Website  MyBenefits Online Portal  Member Access (Retirement) Online Portal

Quick Links

→ New Employees

→ Navigating Your Benefits

→ Network Provider Search

→ Standard Medical Plan Information

→ Savings Medical Plan Information

→ Medicare Supplemental Medical Plan Information

→ TRICARE Supplemental Medical Plan Information

→ Prescription Benefit Information

→ Telehealth Information

→ Select Your Retirement Plan Guide

→ South Carolina Retirement System Information

→ State Optional Retirement Program Information

→ Be Aware & Prepare Program Information

→ PEBA Perks

→ Strive Sign-up / Login 

→ Wondr Health Sign-up / Login

Your PEBA Benefits Options

Learn more! The Insurance Summary, available at peba.sc.gov, provides more detail about your benefits options, including eligibility, when you can enroll and premiums.

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→ Watch Next: Navigating Your Retirement Benefits Video Playlist

Questions or Concerns?

Contact PEBA’s Customer Service through the contact forms below, or any time from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at 803.737.6800 or 888.260.9430.

Questions About Insurance Benefits     Questions About Retirement Benefits

For more contact information, visit peba.sc.gov/contact.

Colonial Life

• File A Claim
• Colonial Service Guide for Policy Holders
• Colonial Service Forms

PEBA

• PEBA Website
• PEBA Contact Information
• PEBA Network Provider Search

Student Loan Assistance Program

• GradFin Enrollment Portal

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.

PEBA Benefits – Visit https://mybenefits.sc.gov/

Colonial Benefits – Please call PGB’s Employee Services within 30 days of your date of hire. The Employee Services number is located at the bottom of his microsite. 

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.

IN-PERSON

During your open 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.

ENROLLMENT PERIOD: NOVEMBER 6, 2023 – NOVEMBER 17, 2023

YOU CAN MAKE THE FOLLOWING BENEFIT ELECTIONS ONLINE DURING THE ENROLLMENT PERIOD:

– Enroll in, change or cancel Colonial coverage.

ACCESS YOUR BENEFITS ONLINE WHENEVER, WHEREVER.

You can view details about what benefits your employer offers, view educational videos about all of your benefits, download forms, chat with one of our knowledgeable Service Center Specialists, and more on your personalized benefits website.

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

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)

Colonial Life

• File A Claim
• Colonial Service Guide for Policy Holders
• Colonial Service Forms
• GTL Employee Assistance Program
• GTL Life Planning Services
  (Organization Name: ColonialLife-LifePlanning)

Dental

• MetLife Dental Forms
• MetLife Contact Information
• MetLife Provider Search

Vision

• Community Eye Care Contact Information
• Community Eye Care Provider Search

Student Loan Assistance Program

• GradFin Enrollment Portal

Flex Accounts

• Ameriflex Spending Account Claim Form
• Ameriflex Contact Information
• Ameriflex Member Login / Check Your Balance
• Mobile App Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
• The FSA Store
• The FSA Store Contact Information
• The FSA Store Eligibility List

FLEX SPENDING WITH ZERO GUESSWORK

Your Health, Your Funds, Your Choice

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

Shop FSA Eligible Products Through Our Partnership with The FSA Store!

BONUS: Get $20 off any order of $150+ with code PGB20FSA (one use per customer).

NEED HELP? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!

FSA Store Customer Service

FSA Store Frequently Asked Questions

Online Account Instructions

How to Access Your Ameriflex Account:

Go to MyAmeriflex.com and click “Login” from the upper right hand corner. When prompted, select “Participant.”

How to Register Online For Your Ameriflex Spending Account:

Click the register button atop the right corner of the home screen.

1. As the primary account holder, enter your personal information.
   – Choose a unique User ID and create a password (if you are told that your username is invalid or already taken, you must select another).
   – Enter your first and last name.
   – Enter your email address.
   – Enter your Employee ID, which in most cases, will be the account holder’s Social Security Number(no dashes or spaces needed).
2. Check the box if you accept the terms of use.
3. Click ‘register’. The process may take a few seconds. Do not click your browser’s back button or refresh the page.
4. Last, you must complete your Secure Authentication setup. Implemented to protect your privacy and help us prevent fraudulent activity, setup is quick and easy. After the registration form is successfully completed, you will be prompted to complete the secure authentication setup process:
   Step 1: Select a Security Question option, and type in a corresponding answer.
   Step 2: Repeat for the following three Security Questions, then click next.
   Step 3: Verify your email address, and then click next.
   Step 4: Verify and submit setup information.
5. The registration process is complete! Should you receive an information error message that does not easily guide you through the information correction process, please feel free to contact our dedicated Member Services Team at 888.868.FLEX (3539).

After registering, you can log into your account to:

– Check your balance

– Order replacement cards

– Submit claims for reimbursement

– Update your reimbursement method, and more…

Want to Manage Your Account on the go?

Download the MyAmeriflex mobile app, available through the App Store or Google Play. This is the quickest and easiest way to access your account on the go. The mobile app offers the same functionality as your online account.

Your credentials for the MyAmeriflex Portal and the MyAmeriflex Mobile App are the same; there is no need for separate login information!

Using Your Ameriflex Card

You’ll receive a Mastercard debit card linked to your Ameriflex account that can be used to pay for eligible expenses. If you have more than one account, such as a flexible spending account and dependent care account, your card is linked to both accounts and knows which funds to pull from when you make a purchase. If you lose your card, you can request a complimentary replacement by logging into your Ameriflex account or the Ameriflex mobile app.

Eligible Expenses

Before you make a purchase, it’s important to verify that the expense is eligible under the rules of your plan. Spending and saving accounts reimburse specific expenses unique to those accounts. Visit our Help Center for more information about eligible expenses.

Help Center and Support

Your satisfaction is our top priority, and our team of experts are ready to help whenever you need it. The Help Center is the best place to go for quick answers to your questions and more information about your account. You can access the Help Center at myameriflex.com/HelpCenter.

The Ameriflex Participant Services team is available Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM CST and Saturday: 9:00 AM to 1 :00 PM CST.

Call: 888.868.3539
Email: service@myameriflex.com
Live Chat: myameriflex.com

Set aside tax-free money for daycare and dependent care services.

Use the below information to determine if a Dependent Care Account (DCA) is right for you and how to best take advantage of a DCA account.

How It Works

When you enroll in a Dependent Care Account (DCA) you get to experience tax savings on expenses like daycare, elderly care, summer day camp, preschool, and other services that allow you to work full time.

The Value & Perks

– Save On Eligible Expenses: You can use a DCA to pay for qualifying expenses such as daycare, summer day care, elder care, before and after school programs, and pre-school.

– Keep More Money: The funds are taken out of your paycheck “pre-tax” (meaning they are subtracted from your gross earnings before taxes) throughout the course of the year. Let’s say you earn $40,000 a year and contribute $1,500 to an DCA; so, only $38,500 of your income gets taxed. That means you are increasing your take-home pay simply by participating!

– Easy Spending and Account Management: You will receive an Ameriflex Debit Mastercard linked to their DCA. They can use their card for eligible purchases everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Account information can be securely accessed 24/7 online and through the mobile app.

Eligible DCA Expenses

The IRS determines what expenses are eligible under a DCA. Here are some examples of common eligible expenses:

– Daycare or elder care

– Before-school and after-school care

– Preschool and nursery school

– Private sitter

– Summer day camp

– Nanny service

For a full list of eligible expenses, go to myameriflex.com/eligibleexpenses.

An account for setting aside tax-free money for healthcare expenses.

Use the below information to determine if a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is right for you and how to best take advantage of an FSA account.

How It Works

When you enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) you get to experience tax savings on qualified expenses such as copays, deductibles, prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and medications, and thousands of other everyday items.

Can I have an FSA and an HSA?

You can’t contribute to an FSA and HSA within the same plan year. However, you can contribute to an HSA and a limited purpose FSA, which only covers dental and vision expenses.

As per IRS Publication 969, an employee covered by an HDHP and a health FSA or an HRA that pays or reimburses qualified medical expenses generally can’t make contributions to an HSA. An employee is also not HSA-eligible during an FSA Grace Period. An employee enrolled in a Limited Purpose FSA is HSA-eligible.

As a married couple, one spouse cannot be enrolled in an FSA at the same time the other is contributing to an HSA. FSA coverage extends tax benefits to family members allowing the FSA holder to be reimbursed for medical expenses for themselves, their spouse, and their dependents.

The Value & Perks

– Election Accessibility: You will have access to your entire election on the first day of the plan year.

– Save On Eligible Expenses: You can save up to 40% on thousands of eligible everyday expenses such as prescriptions, doctor’s visits, dental services, glasses, over-the-counter medicines, and copays.

– Keep More Money: The funds are taken out of your paycheck “pre-tax” (meaning they are subtracted from your gross earnings before taxes) throughout the course of the year. Let’s say you earn $40,000 a year and contribute $1,500 to an FSA; so, only $38,500 of your income gets taxed. That means you are increasing your take-home pay simply by participating!

– Easy Spending and Account Management: Employees will receive an Ameriflex Debit Mastercard linked to their FSA. Employees can use their card for eligible purchases everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Account information can be securely accessed 24/7 online and through the mobile app.

Eligible FSA Expenses

The IRS determines what expenses are eligible under an FSA. Below are some examples of common eligible expenses:

– Deductibles

– Copays

– Prescriptions

– Teeth cleaning

– LASIK

– Glasses and contact lenses

– Band-aids

– Sunscreen

– Over-the-counter medicine (prescription required)

– Feminine menstrual care

For a full list of eligible expenses, go to myameriflex.com/eligibleexpenses.

The “Use-or-Lose” Rule

If you contribute dollars to a reimbursement account and do not use all the money you deposit, you will lose any remaining balance in the account at the end of the eligible claims period. This rule, established by the IRS as a component of tax-advantaged plans, is referred to as the “use-or-lose” rule.

To avoid losing any of the funds you contribute to your FSA, it’s important to plan ahead as much as possible to estimate what your expenditures will be in a given plan year.

Modification to the Health FSA “Use-or-Lose” Rule:

– FSA plan participants should note that up to $610 of any unused funds from the current plan year will be rolled over into your FSA balance for the new plan year.

– The rollover modification applies to Health FSA plans only (and not to other types of FSA plans such as dependent care).

– The rollover does not affect the maximum contribution amount for the new plan year. In other words, even if you roll over the entire $610 from the previous plan year, you may still elect up to the maximum contribution limit allowed under your employer’s plan.

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.

Colonial Insurance Products, Flex Accounts & Vision– 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 at the bottom of his microsite. 

Group Term Life & Dental – Please contact your Benefits Department within 30 days of your date of hire.

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.

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

– Username, password, 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 the PGB Service Center at 888-662-7500 between 8:30am and 5:00pm for assistance.

– If you are an existing employee and unable to login to the online system, please contact the Harmony Help Desk at 866-875-4772 between 8:30am and 6:00pm, or speak with the Benefits Representative assigned to your location.

How To Enroll:

1. Logging In 

– Enter your User Name: MCC- and then Last Name and then Last 4 of Social Security Number (ex.)(MCC-SMITH6789)

– Enter your Password: Four digit Year of Birth and then Last 4 of Social Security Number
(ex.)(19796789)

To login, visit:https://harmonyenroll.coloniallife.com

2. Creating a New Password

You will be prompted to create a new password. Your password must have: 1 lowercase letter, 1 uppercase letter, 1 number, and 8 characters minimum.

Your password cannot include: first name, last name, spaces, special characters (such as ! $ % &), or User ID.

3. Creating a New Password

Choose a security question and enter answer.

4. Begin Enrollment

Click on ‘I Agree’ and then ‘Enter My Enrollment’.

5. Verification

The screen shows ‘Me & My Family’. Verify that the information is correct and enter the additional required information (title, marital status, work phone, e-mail address).

Click ‘Save & Continue’ twice.

6. Family Member Information

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 ‘Continue’.

7. Personal Information

The screen shows updated personal information. Verify that the information is correct and make changes if necessary.

Click ‘Continue’.

8. Review Elections

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

9. Finish Enrollment

Click ‘Finish’.

10. Confirm Elections

Click ‘I Agree’ to electronically sign the authorization for your benefit elections.

11. Print & Log Out

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

Click ‘Log out & close your browser window’ and click ‘Log Out’.