The University of California Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits Plan (PSBP) annual Open Enrollment event is live!  The Open Enrollment period begins today, October 25, and ends on November 20, 2018 at 5 pm.  

There will be no significant changes for UC benefits offering in 2019; however, we encourage you to review your benefit elections carefully and chose the right benefits for you and your family.  All new elections will be effective as of January 1, 2019.

Effective Jan. 1, 2019, all benefits-eligible Postdoctoral Scholars will be able to enroll their domestic partners and their partners’ eligible dependents as long as the relationship meets established criteria. Postdoctoral Scholars will be able to take an action during Open Enrollment to add domestic partners to their plans. All actions taken during Open enrollment will be effective January 1,2019.

Important tax considerations for domestic partners

Although UC’s rules now allow more domestic partners to enroll in benefits, it is important to understand how federal and state tax laws may apply to your situation.

In most cases, your domestic partner and your partner’s children do not automatically qualify as your dependents under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). That means any UC contribution toward their medical, dental and vision coverage is considered “imputed income” and may be subject to federal and California state income taxes, as well as Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA) and any other required payroll taxes. This income is reported on your annual W-2 statement.

Changes you may make during the Open Enrollment window:

• Enroll or delete eligible dependents
• Enroll in plans you previously waived
• Change your medical plan
• Change your dental plan
• Waive medical, dental, and/or vision plan coverage

During the Open Enrollment meetings and webinars, representatives from Garnett-Powers & Associates will give an overview of the 2019 benefit plans and contributions.  Please review the attached announcement piece for further information regarding Open Enrollment and the meeting/webinar time and location.  We highly recommend that everyone attend the open enrollment meeting or webinar and visit the Garnett-Powers & Associates website, https://clients.garnett-powers.com/pd/uc/, for more details.   

No action is required if you do not wish to make changes; your current coverage and enrolled family members if any will remain the same.

Changes cannot be made after open enrollment ends (unless you have a family status change) so please review the material carefully. 

To Make Changes You MUST ACT

Go to the Garnett-Powers website, https://clients.garnett-powers.com/pd/uc/, and follow the prompts for Open Enrollment changes.  If you and your family members have social security numbers, you can make changes via the UC At Your Service Online (AYSO) or you can complete a paper enrollment form. Please review all forms for accuracy (including enrollment and personal information). Email scanned copies of enrollment forms to [email protected]  you will get an email confirmation your enrollment form was received. All forms must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2018.