2027 Open Enrollment Benefit Options and Elections

Eastside Fire & Rescue • Issaquah, WA

13d

About The Position

This is an annual benefits open enrollment notice for Eastside Fire & Rescue, not a job posting. It outlines benefit options and election instructions for the 2027 plan year. Elections made during the November 1–December 7, 2026 open enrollment period take effect January 1, 2027. Members who do not want changes do not need to take action. To make elections, members submit their choices through the Election Page; Human Resources reviews changes and sends any required forms or paperwork through Bamboo.

Medical, dental, and BPAS VEBA coverage: Eastside Fire will continue employee and dependent coverage through the LEOFF Trust Medical Plan B and Delta Dental Plan. HRA annual deposits remain $2,000 for single enrollees and $4,000 for employees with dependents. New 2027 VEBA funds are to be deposited into member accounts by January 15, 2027. During open enrollment, members may add or delete eligible dependents without a qualifying event. Eligible union members may opt out of medical coverage and receive half of their monthly premium in their BPAS VEBA account, with proof of other medical coverage required. Eligible union members currently opted out may re-enroll in medical coverage for 2027.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA): Members may establish pre-tax accounts for planned out-of-pocket medical and dependent-care expenses. The stated current annual IRS maximums are $3,400 for an FSA and $5,000 for a DCA; these are projected to increase for 2027, with details to follow after IRS confirmation. Existing 2026 elections and payroll deductions end at year-end, so members must request a new election for a 2027 account.

Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) and optional VEBA deposit: For eligible union members, the employer contributes $250 per month to each member’s MERP. Members may direct $175 of the monthly proceeds to VEBA, leaving $75 for MERP. Members already directing $175 to VEBA who wish to continue do not need to act; members who want to redirect it to MERP must request the change during open enrollment.

Deferred compensation 457b and 401a: 2027 COLA increases will increase each member’s employer contribution toward their Randall Hurley or DRS VOYA DCP account. Employees are responsible for contacting their DCP plan agent to update their 2027 deferral elections and providing Payroll a copy of their new plan choices and deferrals by December 15, 2026. Payroll cannot set up new benefit elections for 2027 without confirmation of the member’s selected DCP plans and salary deferrals.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed