Open Me First! Deadlines, dates and details
This quick start guide is designed to make it easy for you to navigate all of the news, changes and events happening in October in the world of benefits. It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3!
1
Learn About Changes to Our Retirement Plan T. Rowe Price is our new 401(k) vendor, starting November 2. If this is news to you, or if you deleted those emails, check out ChoiceCentral.com for more info.
The important stuff: Your current 401(k) balance—and any future contributions that you make—will be invested in one of the T. Rowe Price Retirement Funds. Your fund will have a “target date” close to the year that you turn 65. This is the default investment election. In other words: if you don’t take any action, do anything with your 401(k) balance, this is how your funds will be invested. But, if you want to choose your own investment portfolio, or even choose a different target date year, you can do that too. Go to rps.troweprice.com to learn more and to make your selection. You’ll need the PIN that was mailed to your home last week. This website will be available from October 15-October 29 until 4 p.m. ET for you to make your investment elections.
The fine print: Merrill Lynch will close its website, benefits.ml.com on October 27 at 3 p.m. ET. Until then, you can continue to make changes to your contributions or investments. After that time, there will be a blackout period, during which you will have limited access to your account. Contributions and loan payments will continue uninterrupted throughout this period. You’ll have full access to your account again by November 13. At that point, you’ll go to the T. Rowe Price website: rps.troweprice.com
2
Find Out More About Our 2016 Medical Plan The important stuff: There aren’t any major changes to the medical plan for 2016, but Choice® has shifted how it contributes to your costs in an important way. The result: more flexibility for you.
Two key points: 1. We’re putting a lot more money toward your medical premiums. So, your per-paycheck cost will be less in 2016. How much less? Actually, a lot. Take a look at the last page of the big benefits book in the packet or visit ChoiceCentral.com for details. 2. We will not be making “Core Contributions” to your HSA in 2016. Although you can still receive Incentive HSA Contributions from us if you participate in certain wellness activities. Now, think about the best use for the money you’ll save on medical plan premiums. If building up your HSA is important to you, consider increasing your contributions. Has all the talk about retirement got you thinking about your future? Maybe you’ll want to direct your extra funds to your 401(k). Some of us have student loans, and some are saving for our kids’ college funds. Everyone’s needs are different and this change in our medical plan funding allows you to choose where you spend your dollars. The fine print: To change your benefits or your HSA contribution, go to www.enroll.crawfordadvisors.com by October 29 (Having log on difficulties? Call 800.522.7188). • User Name: Your 5-digit Employee ID number • Password: Your birthdate (MMDDYYYY)
3
Other Key Points to Remember—We’ll Keep Them Short, We Promise! • Begin earning your 2016 HSA Incentive Contributions today by completing a biometric screening. You’ll EARN $100—it’s easy! Use the link on ChoiceCentral.com to sign up for an on-site screening or download a LabCorp voucher. • Once you’ve received your biometric results, enter your information into the online Health Assessment on mycigna.com and EARN ANOTHER $100! All information is completely confidential. Your Deadline: January 31, 2016 • After the first of the year, you can earn Incentive Contributions in other ways. You can rack up a maximum of $450 for individual coverage or $500 for dual or family coverage. Check out how: $250
Annual physical (for you and your covered spouse or partner)
$100
Preventive mammogram (if eligible, for you or your covered spouse or partner)
$100
Preventive OB/GYN exam (if eligible, for you or your covered spouse or partner)
$100
Preventive colonoscopy (if eligible, for you or your covered spouse or partner)
• Be sure to check out the many events we’ve scheduled this month. A full listing, with sign up links, is on ChoiceCentral.com, but a summary is on the back of this booklet. Don’t forget: we’ve scheduled some evening webinars so that your spouse or partner can listen in too. • Here’s a common question: How much can I contribute to my HSA? The 2016 maximum contribution amounts are: For individuals:
$3,350 (same as 2015)
For dual or family coverage:
$6,750 (increased from 2015)
Associates age 55 or older may contribute an additional $1,000. Don’t forget, these amounts include both your contributions and any Incentive Contributions you might receive. • Are you a Flexible Spending participant? Remember, you’ll need to re-enroll for 2016. • A really important reminder: You cannot make HSA contributions if you have medical coverage through another medical plan—it’s an IRS requirement. If you have questions, please contact the Benefits Department. • Are you new to the medical plan? To enroll in our medical plan for 2016, go to www.mycignaplans.com to open an HSA account. This is really important—it’s how we give you money! User Name: choicehotels2016 Password: cigna Open Enrollment ID: choicehotels2016 See? That wasn’t so bad. Still have questions? Contact benefits@choicehotels.com or call 301.592.6369.
Important Dates Rockville October 12 & 13
10 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Annual Enrollment Meetings
October 15
10:30-1:30 p.m.
Health Fair & Flu Shots
October 15 & 16
all day
Health Screenings
October 19 & 23
9:30, 11, 1:30, 3
T. Rowe Price Informational Meetings
October 26 & 27
11-1 p.m.
Benefits Department Café Hours
October 19 & 23
all day
Health Screenings
October 20
11-1 p.m.
Benefits Department Café Hours
October 20
11-1 p.m.
Health Fair
October 20
all day
Flu Shots
October 21 & 22
1 p.m.
Annual Enrollment Meetings
October 21 & 22
9, 10:30, 2:30, 4
T. Rowe Price Informational Meetings
October 19
9:30 & 11 a.m.
T. Rowe Price Informational Meetings
October 19
1 p.m.
Annual Enrollment Meeting
October 20
11-1 p.m.
Benefits Department Café Hours
October 20
11-1 p.m.
Health Fair & Flu Shots
October 21
all day
Health Screenings
Phoenix
Skytouch
Field Webinars October 14
7:30 p.m. (ET)
October 16
1 p.m. (ET)
October 22
7:30 p.m. (ET)
October 16
3 p.m. (ET)
October 19
8 p.m. (ET)
October 21
4 p.m. (ET)
October 23
2 p.m. (ET)
© 2015 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved. 15-356/09/15
Annual Enrollment Webinars
T. Rowe Price Informational Webinars