Employee Benefits

In 2017, the Washington State Legislature passed a law requiring all school districts within the state to purchase their employee benefits from the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA).  The employee benefits offered by the HCA were negotiated and selected by the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB).

Medical: The SEBB Program offers a variety of medical insurance plans including Kaiser Permanente, Premera Blue Cross, and Regence Blue Shield (Uniform Medical Plan). 

Dental: SEBB offers two managed-care dental plans through Willamette Dental and Delta Dental (DeltaCare), and a Preferred Provider plan through Delta Dental (Uniform Dental Plan PPO).  Dental plans are no cost, even if you waive medical coverage.

Vision: SEBB offers three vision plans, MetLife Vision, EyeMed Vision Care, and Davis Vision (underwritten by MetLife).  Vision plans are no cost, even if you waive medical coverage.

The Benefits 24/7 online portal uses Secure Access WA (SAW) multi-factor authentication (MFA).  It is recommended to use your personal email address when creating your account.  This will allow you to keep your login should you move to a different district.

The SEBB Program provides basic life and basic accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance at no cost to eligible school employees.  If eligible, you will automatically be enrolled in basic life and AD&D insurance, even if you waive medical coverage.  Supplemental life and AD&D insurance for yourself and your eligible dependents is also available to buy.  These benefits are provided through MetLife.

How do I enroll?
Enroll using MetLife's MyBenefits portal.  If you have questions about enrollment or need to request paper forms, please contact MetLife at 1-833-854-9624.  Note: It can take up to 30 days to process the MetLife enrollment/change form.

Create an online account with MetLife:

1. Visit MetLife's MyBenefits Portal. A "Welcome to MyBenefits" screen will appear.
2. You should see "WA State Health Care Authority SEBB" in the login box.  Select the "Register Now" button.
3. Complete registration to create your login credentials.
4. After registering, select Go to Accounts in the registration confirmation pop-up.

If you have questions regarding enrollment or the MetLife website, please contact MetLife at 1-833-854-9624, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific).

When can I enroll in supplemental life insurance?
You may apply for up to the guaranteed issue amounts of supplemental life insurance without submitting evidence of insurability to MetLife.  The deadlines to apply are as follows:

• No later than 31 days after the date you become eligible for SEBB benefits.
• No later than 60 days after the date of marriage or state-register domestic partnership certification.
• No later than 60 days after the birth or adoption of a child, once the child is 14 days old.
  • Once you have enrolled one child in dependent life insurance, each succeeding child will automatically be covered for the same amount on the date that child becomes eligible as defined in the certificate of coverage.

If you apply for or increase your employee or spouse/state-registered domestic partner supplemental life insurance coverage amounts outside of the deadlines mentioned above, you must provide a Statement of Health to MetLife for approval.

Requests for coverage over the guaranteed issue amount submitted within the above deadlines will require evidence of insurability only for the amount over the guaranteed issue.  If the additional amount is denied, the enrollee will be covered for the guaranteed issue amount.

What are basic (employer-paid) life insurance and AD&D insurance?
The SEBB Program's benefits package includes basic life and AD&D insurance for all eligible subscribers at no cost to you.  It provides: 

• $35,000 for basic life insurance.
• $5,000 for basic AD&D insurance.

As an employee, your basic life insurance covers you and pays your designated beneficiaries in the event of your death.  AD&D insurance provides extra benefits for certain injuries or death resulting from a covered accident.

How do I add or update my beneficiary information?
You must name a beneficiary for both basic and supplemental life and AD&D insurance.  To name or update a beneficiary, visit MetLife's MyBenefits website.  On your profile page, click Group Life Insurance, then click the Beneficiaries tab.  You can also call MetLife at 1-833-854-9624 to request a Group Term Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation form.

How do I cancel my supplemental coverage?
To cancel your supplemental life or supplemental AD&D insurance, send MetLife's cancellation of supplemental life and AD&D insurance form to:

MetLife Recordkeeping Center
PO Box 14406
Lexington, KY 40512-4406

The SEBB Program offers an employer-paid plan with a maximum monthly benefit of $400.  A supplemental employee-paid plan with a maximum monthly benefit of $10,000 is available.  

SEBB provides employer-paid and employee-paid long-term disability (LTD) insurance to school employees who are eligible for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits. These benefits are provided through Standard Insurance Company. If you are eligible for SEBB benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in employer-paid LTD insurance coverage, even if you waive SEBB medical coverage.

What is supplemental (employee-paid) LTD insurance?
If you are eligible for employer-paid LTD, the SEBB Program will automatically enroll you in a plan that covers 60 percent of your insured income (your monthly insured earnings  before you become disabled, up to $16,667). If you are already enrolled in employee-paid LTD insurance for 2021, you will remain at the 60-percent coverage level with a 90-day waiting period. You do not need evidence of insurability.

At any time, you can reduce to a lower-cost 50-percent coverage level or decline the coverage. If you later decide to enroll in or increase coverage, you will have to provide evidence of insurability and be approved by the insurer. An increase in coverage takes effect the day the evidence of insurability is approved.

Supplemental LTD provides:

• Benefit: 60 percent of the first $16,667 of your pre-disability earnings, reduced by any deductible income
• Minimum: Greater of $100/month or 10% of LTD benefit before reduction by deductible income
• Maximum: $10,000/month

Benefits start after the benefit-waiting period, which is the longer of:

• 90 days
• The period of sick leave (excluding shared leave) for which you are eligible under your employer’s sick leave, paid time off (PTO), or other salaried continuation plan (excluding vacation leave), and/or
• The period of Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave for which you are receiving benefits.

Benefits continue during disability up to the maximum benefit period. The maximum benefit period is determined by your age when disability begins.

How do I enroll?
Within 31 days of becoming eligible for benefits, you will enroll online using Benefits 24/7 under the Supplemental benefits tab.

How do I reduce or decline employee-paid LTD?
At any time, you can reduce to a lower-cost 50-percent coverage level or decline the employee-paid coverage using Benefits 24/7 or by submitting the Long-Term Disability Insurance Enrollment/Change form to your benefits office. If you later decide to enroll in or increase coverage, you will have to provide evidence of insurability and be approved by the insurer.

For help with benefits or plan details:

Standard Insurance Company
Phone: 1-833-229-4177
Online: The Standard for school employees

The Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) lets you set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for out-of-pocket health care costs. Navia Benefit Solutions processes claims and provides customer service for School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) subscribers.

Am I eligible?
You are eligible if you meet criteria listed in WAC 182-31-040. Generally, the Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) is available to SEBB employees who are expected to work at least 630 hours during the school year.

You cannot enroll in both a Medical FSA and UMP High Deductible in the same year. If you do, you will be automatically disenrolled from the Medical FSA. If you have UMP High Deductible, you can enroll in a Limited Purpose FSA, for eligible dental and vision expenses.

How can a Medical FSA help me?
The Medical FSA allows you to set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for out-of-pocket health care costs like deductibles, copays, coinsurance, dental, vision, and more. You can use your Medical FSA to pay eligible health care expenses for you, your spouse, or your qualified tax dependents, even if they are not enrolled on your SEBB account.

What is carryover?
If you have not spent all the funds in your FSA by December 31 – and you are still employed and didn't lose eligibility for the FSA – you may be able to take advantage of the carryover feature, where certain unspent funds may "carry over" into the following year without affecting annual maximums.

Plan year
For each plan year, you must incur all expenses by December 31, and submit all claims to Navia Benefit Solutions for reimbursement by March 31 the following year. If you are no longer employed or have retired and still have money left in your account, you can still submit claims for reimbursement by March 31, as long as the services took place while you were employed.

To receive carryover, you must enroll in either the Medical FSA or Limited Purpose FSA for the following year or have at least $120 left in your 2025 balance. Unused funds up to $640 will roll over to the next year. Any funds above $640 will be forfeited. Carryover will occur in January.

How do I enroll in a Medical FSA?
You can set up a Medical FSA account:

• No later than 31 days after the date you become eligible for SEBB benefits. Submit the Midyear Enrollment Form to your payroll or benefits office
• During the SEBB Program’s annual open enrollment. Visit the online portal on the Navia Benefit Solutions website
• No later than 60 days after you or an eligible family member has a qualifying event that creates a special open enrollment. Submit the Midyear Enrollment Form to your payroll or benefits office

You must enroll in a Medical FSA for each plan year you want to participate because your enrollment does not automatically continue year to year. If you want to enroll, make sure to elect this benefit again during each SEBB Program annual open enrollment.

How much can I contribute?
IRS rules set the maximum you may contribute to a Medical FSA for each plan year.

In 2025, you can contribute a minimum annual amount of $120, up to a maximum annual amount of $3,200.

To figure out how much you want to contribute, estimate your expenses for the plan year (January 1 through December 31) and enroll in Medical FSA for that amount. Divide that amount by the number of paychecks you will receive that year to find out how much will be deducted each pay period. For more help, use the Navia Benefit Solutions Tax Savings Calculator.

You can start submitting reimbursement claims for eligible expenses on or after the first day of the plan year, January 1. The full amount you set aside for your annual Medical FSA contribution is available to spend on January 1. You may submit claims for services as often as you like, but not until after the services have been provided.

What happens to my Medical FSA funds when coverage ends?
When your SEBB insurance coverage ends or you go on unpaid leave that is not approved under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or military leave, you are no longer eligible to contribute to your Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement. Eligibility ends on the last day of the month of loss of coverage or unapproved leave.

You will be able to claim expenses incurred while employed, only up to your available funds, unless you are eligible to continue your Medical FSA coverage under SEBB Continuation Coverage (COBRA) or SEBB Continuation Coverage (Unpaid Leave), through Navia Benefit Solutions. Claims may be submitted up to your account balance and must be submitted to Navia Benefit Solutions by March 31 of the following year.

Transferring to another SEBB organization
You can continue your Medical FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, or DCAP election if the time between employment is 30 days or less and within the current plan year. Submit the School Employment Transfer Form to your new employer’s payroll or benefits office no later than 31 days after your first day of work. If you end employment or retire during the year, submit the SEBB Medical FSA and Limited Purpose FSA Termination form to your payroll or benefits office.

Need help with the FSA plan contact:

Navia Benefit Services
Online: sebb.naviabenefits.com
Email: customerservice@naviabenefits.com
Phone: 425-452-3500 or toll free 1-800-669-3539, Monday-Friday 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific)
Mail: Navia Benefit Solutions, PO Box 53250, Bellevue, WA 98015-3250

 The Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) lets you set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for out-of-pocket dental and vision costs. Navia Benefit Solutions processes claims and provides customer service for School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) subscribers.

Am I eligible?
The Limited Purpose FSA is intended for employees enrolled in UMP High Deductible. By providing pretax funds for dental and vision expenses, it allows you to further reduce taxable salary and save more of your HSA funds for medical expenses. If you are not enrolled in UMP High Deductible, the Medical FSA is a better fit for you.

You cannot enroll in a Limited Purpose FSA and a Medical FSA in the same year.

How can a Limited Purpose FSA help me? 
The Limited Purpose FSA allows you to set aside money from your paycheck on a pretax basis to pay for out-of-pocket dental and vision costs like glasses, contact lenses and solution, dentures, dental copays, orthodontia, and more (See eligible expenses). You can use your Limited Purpose FSA to pay dental and vision expenses for you, your spouse, or your qualified tax dependents, even if they are not enrolled in your SEBB medical, dental, or vision plan.

How do I enroll?
You can set up a Limited Purpose FSA account:

• No later than 31 days after the date you become eligible for SEBB benefits. Submit the Midyear Enrollment Form to your benefits office
• During the SEBB Program’s annual open enrollment. Visit the online portal on the Navia Benefit Solutions website
• No later than 60 days after you or an eligible family member has a qualifying event that creates a special open enrollment. Submit the Midyear Enrollment Form to your payroll or benefits office

You must enroll in a Limited Purpose FSA for each plan year you want to participate because your enrollment does not automatically continue year to year. If you want to enroll, make sure to elect this benefit again during each open enrollment.

How do I submit claims?
When you incur an eligible expense, you can submit a claim online, use the mobile app, or send a claim form by fax, mail, or email to request reimbursement. You also can sign up for a debit card.

Online: Navia Benefit Solutions
Mobile App: download for iPhone or Android
Email: claims@naviabenefits.com
Fax: 1-425-451-7002 or toll free 1-866-535-9227
Mail: Navia Benefit Solutions, PO Box 53250, Bellevue, WA 98015-3250

You can begin submitting reimbursement claims for eligible expenses on or after the first day of your plan year, January 1. The full amount you set aside for your Limited Purpose FSA contribution is available on the first day of the plan year for expenses. You may submit claims for services as often as you like, but not until after the services have been provided.

What happens to my funds when coverage ends?
When your SEBB insurance coverage ends or you go on unpaid leave that is not approved under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or military leave, you are no longer eligible to contribute to your Limited Purpose FSA. Eligibility ends on the last day of the month of loss of coverage or unapproved leave.

You will be able to claim expenses incurred while employed, only up to your available funds, unless you are eligible to continue your Limited Purpose FSA coverage under SEBB Continuation Coverage (COBRA) or SEBB Continuation Coverage (Unpaid Leave), through Navia Benefit Solutions. Claims may be submitted up to your account balance and must be submitted to Navia Benefit Solutions by March 31 of the following year.

Transferring to another SEBB organization?
You can continue your Limited Purpose FSA election if the time between employment is 30 days or less and within the current plan year. Submit the School Employment Transfer Form to your new employer’s payroll or benefits office no later than 31 days after your first day of work. If you end employment or retire during the year, submit the SEBB Medical FSA and Limited Purpose FSA Termination form to your payroll or benefits office.

The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), lets you set aside pretax money from your paycheck to help pay for qualifying child care or elder care expenses. Navia Benefit Solutions processes claims and provides customer service for School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) subscribers.

Am I eligible?
If you are determined eligible for SEBB benefits, you qualify to contribute.

How can the DCAP help me?
Child and elder care can be one of the largest expenses for a family. The DCAP allows you to set aside pretax money from your paycheck to help pay for qualifying child care or elder care expenses while you (and your spouse or state-registered domestic partner) work, look for work, or attend school full time. The care must be provided during the hours the parent(s) work, look for work, or attend school.

A qualifying dependent must be either:

• Age 12 or younger and live with you.
• Age 13 or older, physically or mentally incapable of self-care, and regularly spend at least eight hours each day in your household.

When can I enroll?
No later than 31 days after the date you become newly eligible for SEBB benefits.

• During the SEBB Program's annual open enrollment.
• No later than 60 days after you or an eligible dependent experiences a qualifying event that creates a special open enrollment.

How do I enroll?
During annual open enrollment, enroll in the DCAP using the Navia Benefit Solutions website. Paper enrollment forms will also be available.

You must enroll in the DCAP for each plan year you want to participate. Your enrollment does not automatically continue year to year. If you want to enroll, make sure to choose this benefit again during each SEBB Program annual open enrollment.

To enroll when you first become eligible for this SEBB benefit, submit the Midyear Enrollment Form to your payroll or benefits office.

How much can I contribute?
Estimate your expenses for the plan year and enroll in the DCAP for that amount. The money deducted from your pay is divided evenly by the number of paychecks you will receive in the plan year.

DCAP contributions are limited to:

• $5,000 annually for a single person or married couple filing a joint income tax return.
• $2,500 annually for each married participant who files a separate income tax return.

The total amount of your contribution cannot be more than either your earned income or your spouse’s earned income, whichever is less. Earned income means wages, salaries, tips, and other employee compensation, as well as net earnings from self-employment.

How do I submit claims?
When you incur an eligible expense, submit a claim online, use the mobile app, or send a claim form by fax, mail, or email to request reimbursement.

Online: Navia Benefit Solutions
Mobile App: download for iPhone or Android
Fax: 1-425-451-7002 or toll free 1-866-535-9227
Mail: Navia Benefit Solutions, PO Box 5179, Fresno, CA 93755-5809
Email: customerservice@naviabenefits.com

You can begin submitting reimbursement claims for eligible expenses on or after the first day of your plan year, January 1. You can only be reimbursed up to the dollar amount you have in your DCAP account at the time you request reimbursement. You may submit claims for services as often as you like, but not until after the services have been provided.

What’s the deadline to spend down my DCAP account?
DCAP expenses must be incurred by December 31 each year. You must submit all claims for reimbursement to Navia Benefit Solutions no later than March 31 of the following year.

After that date, your account will be closed and any balance remaining will be forfeited to the Health Care Authority. Once the money is forfeited, you will not be able to claim it. 

What happens to my DCAP funds when coverage ends?
If you terminate employment and have unspent DCAP funds, you may continue to submit claims for eligible expenses as long as the expenses allow you  to attend school full-time, look for work, or work full-time. Claims may be submitted up to your account balance and must be submitted to Navia Benefit Solutions by March 31 of the following plan year. You cannot incur expenses after December 31 of the plan year. There are no continuation coverage rights for the DCAP.

For more information on when coverage ends, see the DCAP Enrollment Guide on Navia's website. You can also contact Navia Benefit Solutions at 1-800-669-3539 or send an email to customerservice@naviabenefits.com.

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are available to subscribers enrolled in a SEBB high-deductible health plan (HDHP). You can use your HSA to pay for IRS-qualified, out-of-pocket medical expenses.

The HSA is compatible with a Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) and the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP).

Find out more information on the Health Care Authority website for Health Savings Accounts here. 

 

Public Pensions 
In Washington, there are eight state-administered public retirement systems for state and local government employees, with 15 different plans within those systems. These systems serve nearly 784,000 current and former public employees. The retirement benefits they earn result in more than $4.3 billion in payments each year, most of which is distributed within the state.

History
In the 1930s and 1940s, retirement systems were created for the state's public employees, teachers, judges, law enforcement officers and fire fighters. Each was independently administered until 1976, when the Legislature created the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) to serve as the administrator of the public retirement systems. In 1996, DRS also took on the role of administering the state's Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).

Systems, Plans and Programs Administered

• Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS)
• Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• School Employees' Retirement System (SERS)
• Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System (LEOFF)
• Washington State Patrol Retirement System (WSPRS)
• Public Safety Employees' Retirement System (PSERS)
• Judges' Retirement Fund (JRF)
• Judicial Retirement System (JRS)
• Judicial Retirement Account (JRA)
• Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)

Retirement Plans
PERS Plan 1 and TRS Plan 1 are defined benefit plans that provide full pension benefits based on years of service – members are eligible after 30 years of employment.

PERS Plan 2, SERS Plan 2, TRS Plan 2, and PSERS Plan 2 are defined benefit plans that provide full pension benefits after the member reaches age 65.

PERS Plan 3, SERS Plan 3 and TRS Plan 3 are defined benefit plans that include a member-funded defined contribution component. Full pension benefits are provided after the member reaches age 65.

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Choosing a Plan
New employees have 90 days to choose between two retirement plans: Plan 2 or Plan 3.  If you don't choose a plan, you'll be placed in Plan 2. Click Here to view a video.  More information can be found here on the DRS website. You can compare the plans here.

Reviewing your DRS account
If you have not yet done so, create an online account with the Department of Retirement Systems. Sign up for an online account and review your account frequently.

Career transition
If you are leaving public employment and want to know what happens with your retirement plan, here is a short Career Transition video you can watch.

Retiring
Are you reading to start planning your retirement?  You can complete a retirement application online, ideally 30 to 90 days before your retirement date. Sign into your online account and request an official benefit estimate to begin the application process.

A more detailed checklist of the retirement process is available on the Retirement Planning Checklist.

For information about retiree health benefits, contact Washington State Health Care Authority at 1-800-200-1004.

More Information
The Department of Retirement Systems’ Education & Outreach team has regularly scheduled webinars. To review the schedule, and learn how to join a live DRS webinar, please go to the webinars webpage.  

For questions regarding your current retirement plan, please call 1-800-547-6657 or visit the website at http://www.drs.wa.gov.

The Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) helps you save for retirement, offering the options you need to develop a personal investment strategy. With DCP, you authorize your employer to postpone or defer a part of your income, before or after taxes are calculated, and have that money invested in your DCP account. Both the income you save and the earnings on your investments grow to add to your future retirement and Social Security benefits.

DCP now offers a Roth or pretax option. Each option affects when your retirement contributions will be taxed.

What is pretax? 
With the DCP pretax option, your contributions are made before tax. Withdrawals, including investment earnings, are taxed in the year of withdrawal.

What is Roth?
With the DCP Roth option, your contributions are deferred from your already taxed income. Roth withdrawals, including any investment earnings, are not taxed if you meet the minimum qualifications. These include a five-year holding period from the year of your first contribution and a minimum age of 59½. If you withdraw before meeting these, any investment earnings will be taxed.

Should you have any questions or would like more information on the Washington State Deferred Compensation Program, contact DCP at:

Phone: 1-888-327-5596 (Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00pm)
Email: dcpinfo@drs.wa.gov
Mail: PO BOX 40931 Olympia, WA 98504-0931
Web:  https://www.drs.wa.gov/plan/dcp/

DCP Enrollment Guide (PDF)

Optional Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) 403b
The District offers 403(b) Plans to eligible employees in order to help save for retirement. Participation is optional, allowing you to make pre-tax salary deferral contributions via payroll deduction. One of the benefits of participating in the Plan is the ability to defer salary from taxation that would otherwise be currently taxable and also defer income taxes on the earnings credited to your account. 

A 403(b) account permits you to set aside part of your paycheck PRE-TAX for a retirement savings account with approved investment companies. These accounts are comparable to 401(k) accounts offered by private businesses. The district has retained The OMNI Group for administration of these accounts. Click here for more information about setting up a 403(b) account with The OMNI Group. Visit the the Omni Group website to enroll or to access your account. Enrollment in 403(b) accounts is open year-round. 

The VEBA Plan is a funded health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) offered by VEBA Trust. VEBA Trust is a non-profit, multiple employee voluntary employees’ beneficiary association authorized under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(g). The Trust is managed by a board of trustees appointed by the Association of Washington School Principals, Washington Association of School Administrators, and Washington Association of School Business Officials. The Trust provides a health reimbursement plan for employees and eligible dependents. The plan can be used to reimburse employees for qualified health expenses during employment and after retirement. 

For more information, visit the VEBA website here: https://www.veba.org/

Tumwater School District offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided through First Choice Health. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 to support you and your family with a variety of challenges, whether personal or work-related. From mental health support to financial counseling, the EAP is here to help you navigate life's ups and downs. Take advantage of this valuable resource to ensure your well-being and peace of mind, anytime you need it.

Find out more about this program and its valuable resources here:

https://fch.personaladvantage.com/
Username: tsd

The EAP Benefits Hub offers exclusive discounts to help you save on a wide range of products and services. From fitness memberships and wellness programs to shopping and travel discounts, this online portal provides easy access to valuable savings that can enhance your lifestyle. As part of the Tumwater School District’s Employee Assistance Program, these benefits are available at no additional cost to you, giving you more ways to support your health and well-being while making the most of your benefits.

First Choice EAP BenefitHub Discount Marketplace