In anticipation of this years annual open enrollment period, during which you can make changes to your health and dental plans, the Human Resources Department is providing weekly informational messages on a variety of Benefit topics. It will be important to follow these messages closely, as further information will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead concerning 2009 plan offerings, new rates, and how to make changes.

• September 29, 2008 - "VSP Plan"
  This week, our topic is the City’s “Vision Plan” which features the highlights of the Vision Service Plan (VSP) for City employees and their dependents who are enrolled in any of the City’s medical plans.
• October 6, 2008 - "FSA Plans"
  This week, our topic is the City’s “FSA Plan” which features the highlights of the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans for City employees.
• October 10, 2008 - "Dependent Verification Process"
  The City recognizes that families are important to its employees. This week’s message is therefore dedicated to the dependent verification process, in preparation for open enrollment November 3rd - 21st, 2008.
• October 20, 2008 - "Deferred Compensation Plans"

This week, our topic is the City’s "Deferred Compensation Plans". The City offers TWO deferred compensation retirement plans to assist you in investing for your retirement? The City’s deferred compensation plans are administered through Great-West and ICMA-RC.
• October 27, 2008 (Revised) - "Health and Dental Plans"

This week, our topic is the City’s "Health and Dental Plans". The City recognizes that employees have different needs and preferences when it comes to health and dental care. For Your Benefit, the City will continue to offer SEVEN medical plan choices for 2009, administered by Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser Permanente. Moreover, the City will continue to offer THREE dental plan choices administered by Delta Dental and Local Dental Advantage.
• November 3, 2008 - "Long-Term Disability (LTD) & State Disability Insurance (SDI)"
  The City recognizes that employees make a great investment in their family. You spend time and care for them. For Your Benefit, the City offers a Long-Term Disability (LTD) & State Disability Insurance (SDI) plan to protect you and your family in case of an extended disability or illness that prevents you from working.
• November 13, 2008 - "Additional Life Insurance"
  The City recognizes the importance of your family. Life insurance helps you plan ahead so your family will be taken care of in the event you can not be there for them. For Your Benefit, the City offers an Additional Life Insurance plan to protect your loved ones.
  
• November 20, 2008 - "FMLA and Sick Leave"
  The City strives to support its employees in balancing the demands of work and family life, and in this spirit provides employees with leave benefits for personal and family care. Information is provided in this week's message regarding the City's Family, Medical, and Pregnancy Disability Leave Policy, and the City's Sick Leave benefits which may be used for non-job related injuries and illness.