2027 Open Enrollment Benefit Options and Elections

Eastside Fire & Rescue • Issaquah, WA

10d

About The Position

Eastside Fire & Rescue’s 2027 annual benefits open enrollment runs from November 1 through December 7. Changes elected during enrollment take effect January 1, 2027. Members who do not want to change their plans do not need to take action. To request changes, members submit elections online; Human Resources reviews submitted changes and sends any required forms or paperwork through Bamboo.

Eastside Fire will continue providing employee and dependent coverage through the LEOFF Trust Medical Plan B and Delta Dental Plan. Annual HRA deposits remain $2,000 for single enrollees and $4,000 for employees with dependents. The 2027 VEBA allotment is to be deposited into member accounts by January 15, 2027. Eligible members may add or delete dependents during open enrollment without a qualifying event. Eligible union members may opt out of medical coverage in exchange for half of their monthly premium being deposited into a BPAS VEBA account, provided they show proof of other medical coverage; eligible members currently opted out may re-enroll in 2027.

Members may elect a pre-tax FSA or dependent care account (DCA) for planned out-of-pocket medical or dependent-care expenses. The stated current annual IRS maximums are $3,400 for an FSA and $5,000 for a DCA, with increases projected for 2027 pending IRS confirmation. Existing 2026 FSA and DCA elections and payroll deductions end at year-end; a new election is required for 2027.

For eligible union members, the employer contributes $250 per month to the MERP plan. During open enrollment, members may direct $175 of that amount to VEBA, leaving $75 for MERP. Members already directing $175 to VEBA who want to continue do not need to act; those who want to redirect it to MERP must request the change during open enrollment.

2027 cost-of-living adjustments will increase employer contributions to members’ Randall Hurley or DRS VOYA deferred compensation accounts. Employees are responsible for updating their deferred compensation plans and providing Payroll with copies of their 2027 plan choices and deferral elections by December 15, 2026. Payroll cannot establish new 2027 benefit elections without confirmation of each member’s selected plans and salary deferrals.

Requirements

• Eligible union members opting out of medical coverage must provide proof of other medical coverage.
• Members seeking a new FSA or DCA for 2027 must make a new election.
• Payroll requires confirmation of deferred compensation plan choices and salary deferrals before setting up new 2027 benefit elections.

Responsibilities

• Review available benefit plan options for the 2027 plan year.
• Submit desired benefit elections through the online election page.
• Provide requested information and complete the election submission process.
• If participating in deferred compensation, contact the plan agent to update 2027 plan elections and deferrals by December 15, 2026.
• Provide Payroll with copies of 2027 deferred compensation plan choices and deferral elections by December 15, 2026.

Benefits

• Medical coverage through the LEOFF Trust Medical Plan B for employees and dependents.
• Dental coverage through the Delta Dental Plan.
• HRA annual deposits of $2,000 for single enrollees and $4,000 for employees with dependents.
• VEBA funds and optional VEBA contributions for eligible members.
• Employer contribution of $250 per month to eligible union members’ MERP plans.
• Employer contributions to deferred compensation accounts, with 2027 increases from cost-of-living adjustments.
• Option to elect pre-tax FSA and dependent care accounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed