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Section 125 Plan Flexible Benefit

Please click into the section you’d like to view: 1. Flexible Benefit Plan Overview 2. Pre-Tax Group Insurance Premiums 3. Dependent Care Reimbursement Account 4. Medical Reimbursement Account 5. How to File a Claim Click “Return Home” at anytime to come back to this menu.

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Section 125 Plan Flexible Benefit

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  1. Please click into the section you’d like to view:1. Flexible Benefit Plan Overview 2. Pre-Tax Group Insurance Premiums3. Dependent Care Reimbursement Account4. Medical Reimbursement Account5. How to File a ClaimClick “Return Home” at anytime tocome back to this menu. Section 125 PlanFlexible Benefit

  2. Section 125 PlanFlexible Benefit PlanOverview

  3. What is a Flexible Benefit Plan? The intent of this slide presentation is to provide a brief overview of the Flexible Benefit Plan (Flex Plan). Please see your employer’s Plan Document for details of the Flex Plan rules and regulations before participating in the program. What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  4. What is a Flexible Benefit Plan? Welcome to an overview of the Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan (Flex Plan)! Flex Plans are an excellent way to increase your spendable income and reduce your federal and FICA taxes (and in most states, your state income taxes). Diversified Benefit Services, Inc. (DBS) is the third party administrator of your employer’s Flex Plan. DBS is located in Hartland, Wisconsin and has administered these plans since 1987. What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  5. It’s a tax reduction plan for employees! What is a Flexible Benefit Plan? Legislation creating these plans was enacted by Congress in 1978. The regulations are recorded in Section 125 of the IRS Code. What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  6. Under Section 125 of the IRS Code, you as an employee, can pay for qualified expenses using money from your paycheck that is deducted pre-tax. What is a Flexible Benefit Plan? By using pre-tax dollars, you reduce the amount you pay in taxes! Return Home What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  7. What can a Flex Plan do for you? By eliminating Federal and FICA tax (and possibly state tax) on qualifying expenses, the plan saves the average participant approximately 15%-30% in taxes on those expenses. It can increase the amount of your paycheck that you get to keep! Return Home What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  8. The Benefit Categories There are three main categories of expenses that qualify for pretax reimbursement. Group Insurance Premiums Dependent Care Reimbursement Account Medical Reimbursement Account The details of these categories are described in the other presentations on this website. Return Home What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  9. What does “pre-tax” mean? You earn what is called “gross pay”. This refers to the amount your employer pays you. However, this is not what most people get to spend from their paycheck. Why? Because the government takes a percentage of your “gross pay” first (in the form of taxes). Return Home What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  10. What does “pre-tax” mean? With the Flex Plan, the government allows you to set aside a portion of your “gross pay” to cover certain expenses before a percentage of it is deducted in taxes. The remainder of your paycheck is what the government declares subject to taxes. By deducting pre-tax monies, you pay less in taxes! The chart on the next slide illustrates this concept. Return Home What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  11. Paycheck Comparison • Insurance Premiums • Dependent Care • Medical, Dental, Vision expense • *(Total of I, II, III = $268) Return Home What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  12. Does the Flex Plan affect my Social Security retirement benefits? The Flex Plan may affect your Social Security retirement benefit as you are lowering the amount of your income from which you contribute Social Security taxes. For most people, the effect is minimal. Visit the Social Security Administration website at www.ssa.gov if you have questions on how to calculate retirement benefits. What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  13. Expenses must be incurred in the Plan Year The Plan Year is the time frame your employer’s plan is administered. It is important that any expenses you submit for reimbursement are incurred within the Plan Year. This means the dates of service (when the service was rendered) must fall within the Plan Year. What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  14. In Summary: • Flex Plans are a great way to increase your take home pay. • Please review the other presentations to learn more about the plan. • Ask your employer how you can enroll in the plan and start reducing your taxes! Return Home What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  15. Additional questions? www.dbsbenefits.com Diversified Benefit Services, Inc. Customer Service Representatives are available Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (CST) 1- (800)-234-1229 1- (262)-367-3300 What is a Flexible Benefit Plan?

  16. Section 125 PlanPre-tax Premium Overview For Employer Sponsored Group Insurance Premiums Pre-Tax Premium

  17. What is a Flexible Benefit Plan? The intent of this slide presentation is to provide a brief overview of the Pre-tax Premium area of the Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan (Flex Plan). Please see your employer’s Plan Document for details of the Flex Plan rules and regulations before participating in the program. Pre-Tax Premium

  18. I. Group Insurance Premiums • Under Under the Section 125 Plan, group insurance premiums you pay from your paycheck through your employer for health (or other qualified group insurance premiums) may be deducted from your paycheck with pre-tax dollars. • This will be done automatically by your employer through regular payroll deductions. Pre-Tax Premium

  19. I. Group Insurance Premiums Your insurance contributions are sent by your employer to the insurance company on your behalf. • By paying for your group insurance premiums pre-tax, you save approximately 15%-30% in taxes. • The chart on the next slide illustrates this concept. Pre-Tax Premium

  20. Pre-tax Illustration Pre-taxAfter-tax Gross Pay: $1,000 $1,000 Pre-tax Group Insurance: - 100- 0 Taxable Income: $ 900 $1,000 Taxes (assume 25%) - 225- 250 $ 675 $ 750 After-tax Group Insurance: 0- 100 Take Home Pay: $ 675 $ 650 Increased Take Home Pay: $ 25 Return Home Pre-Tax Premium

  21. I. Group Insurance Premiums • With this area of the Section 125 Plan, there is nothing you need to do. • There are no forms to complete. • The monies will not show up on your W-2 form as taxable income. Return Home Pre-Tax Premium

  22. www.dbsbenefits.com Additional questions? Diversified Benefit Services, Inc. Customer Representatives are available Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (CST) 1- (800)-234-1229 1- (262)-367-3300 Pre-Tax Premium

  23. Section 125 PlanDependent CareReimbursement Account Dependent Care

  24. What is a Dependent Care Reimbursement Account? The intent of this slide presentation is to provide a brief overview of the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account area of the Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan (Flex Plan). Please see your employer’s Plan Document for details of the Flex Plan rules and regulations before participating in the program. Dependent Care

  25. Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) • This category allows you to pay for qualified dependent care expenses for dependents on a pre-tax basis. • With the DCRA, you set aside a conservative amount of monies pre-tax for your dependent care expenses. • The monies are reimbursed to you after you submit a claim validating your expense showing services have been performed. • By using the account, you save approximately 15-30% in taxes on your expenses! Return Home Dependent Care

  26. Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) • The services must be performed within the program Plan Year to qualify. • You must report the care providers Federal Tax Identification or Social Security number on your tax returns in order to use this category. Return Home Dependent Care

  27. Who is a Qualified Dependent? • A dependent on your Federal income taxes for the year in which you are filing for reimbursement under the plan and; • A dependent under the age of 13 who you can claim as an exemption or your spouse, parent or child who is unable physically or mentally to care for himself/herself and; • A dependent that spends at least eight hours per day at your residence and lives at your residence at least 6 months of the year. Return Home Dependent Care

  28. Dependent Care Reimbursement Account • To qualify, the care must be for services that allow you (and your spouse, if you’re married) to be gainfully employed or to attend college on a full-time basis or seek employment during the hours your dependent is with the care provider. Return Home Dependent Care

  29. What is the Maximum I Can Contribute? • If you are single (or married & filing a joint Federal tax return), you may contribute up to $5,000 (not to exceed $5,000 in any given calendar year per family). You are limited to the amount of your annual earnings if you or your spouse earns less than $5,000 in a calendar year. • If you are married but filing separate tax returns you are limited to the lesser of $2,500 or your earned income. Dependent Care

  30. What is the Maximum I Can Contribute? • If you or your spouse are a full-time student, not working, and have one child in daycare, you may contribute $3,000. • If you or your spouse are a full-time student, not working, and have two or more children in daycare, you may contribute $5,000. • The maximums listed in the previous slides are per family maximums not to be exceeded in any given calendar year. Dependent Care

  31. How does the DCRA work? Estimate your cost during the Plan Year. • The maximum annual per family deduction allowed by IRS in most cases is $5,000. • Authorize your employer to deduct this amount from your paycheck in equal installments throughout the Plan Year. • Submit claims to DBS for reimbursement as you incur expenses. Dependent Care

  32. How does the DCRA work? • DBS reviews your claim and reimburses you directly for your expenses. • With dependent care expenses, you can only be reimbursed the dollar amounts that have been deducted from your paycheck as of the date of your claim. • Always submit the total amount of dependent care expenses incurred (even if you have not had that much deducted from your paycheck). Return Home Dependent Care

  33. How does the DCRA work? The excess amount claimed will be entered into a “pending account”. The “pending” amounts will be reimbursed after your payroll deductions are credited to your account. Dependent Care

  34. Dependent Care Reimbursement Account An alternative way to save on dependent care expenses is by taking atax creditwhen you file your income tax return. • The tax credit is based on your adjusted gross income. As your income goes up, the percent of credit you receive on your expenses goes down. • You should ask your tax advisor which method is best for you. DBS does not provide tax advice. • Youmay notuse the same expenses for both the Flex Plan and the Tax Credit. Dependent Care

  35. Dependent Care Reimbursement Account • You must file Federal Tax Form 2441 with your income taxes if you participate in the DCRA. Return Home Dependent Care

  36. ! Important Note • The Dependent Care Reimbursement Account and the Medical Reimbursement Account are separate categories. • Pre-tax dollars from one account may not be used for expenses in the other account. Return Home Dependent Care

  37. What happens if I don’t use all my DCRA money? • By Federal law, unused monies are forfeited at the end of the Plan Year’s run-out period. • Because of this rule, you need to plan conservatively. • For most people, it is easy to estimate the amount for the DCRA as they spend the same amount each week on dependent care. • Note: Most people do not leave any money in this account. Return Home Dependent Care

  38. In Summary The DCRA is an excellent way to reduce your taxes. Consult your tax advisor to see if this account can benefit you. Please review the other presentations to learn more about the plan. Ask your employer how you can enroll in the plan and start reducing your taxes! Dependent Care

  39. www.dbsbenefits.com Additional questions? Claim forms may be downloaded from our website. Diversified Benefit Services, Inc. Customer Service Representatives are available Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (CST) 1- (800)-234-1229 1- (262)-367-3300 Dependent Care

  40. Section 125 PlanMedical Reimbursement Account Medical Reimbursement Account

  41. What is a Flexible Benefit Plan? The intent of this slide presentation is to provide a brief overview of the Medical Reimbursement Account area of the Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan (Flex Plan). Please see your employer’s Plan Document for details of the Flex Plan rules and regulations before participating in the program. Medical Reimbursement Account

  42. Medical Reimbursement Account • This category allows you to pay for your (and your legal dependents’) qualified medical, dental, vision, and other eligible expenses on a pre-tax basis. • The expenses need to be for out-of-pocket expenses that are not reimbursed or paid for by any other sources. • The services must be performed within the Plan Year (meaning dates of service must be within the Plan Year). Return Home Medical Reimbursement Account

  43. What expenses qualify in the Medical Reimbursement Account? Eligible Out-of-Pocket Expenses Include: Medical insurance deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance Dental insurance deductibles and co-insurance Dental expenses such as exams, caps, crowns, bridges & fillings Orthodontia Vision exams, glasses, frames, contact lenses & supplies Laser eye surgery Hearing aids (including batteries) Routine exams/physicals/mammograms Chiropractor costs Prescription drugs Mileage for medical care Medical Reimbursement Account

  44. Medical Reimbursement Account Expenses which areNOT eligibleinclude: • Surgery for cosmetic reasons • Breast pump rental • Medical supplies that are not medically necessary • Teeth bleaching/whitening/bonding • Health club membership dues • Over-the-counter vitamins and other dietary supplements for general health purposes • Cosmetic drugs • Marriage counseling • Group insurance premiums deducted from your paycheck Return Home Medical Reimbursement Account

  45. How does the Medical Reimbursement Account work? • Estimate your family’s out-of-pocket cost for qualified medical expenses during the Plan Year. • Ask your Human Resources department for the medical maximum that is allowed for the Plan Year. • Authorize your employer to deduct this amount from your paycheck in equal installments throughout the Plan Year. • Submit claims to DBS for reimbursement as you incur expenses. Return Home Medical Reimbursement Account

  46. How does the Medical Reimbursement Account work? • DBS verifies the expense based on IRS guidelines and reimburses you directly. Note: other methods for accessing your account may be in place at your employer. • Reimbursement is NOT limited to the current account balance. Your entire annual election is available for reimbursement when you incur the expenses. • Monies in the Medical Reimbursement Account can be used for any expense that qualifies within the category. For example, money set aside for your glasses can be used for your child’s dental care. Return Home Medical Reimbursement Account

  47. Benefits of the Medical Reimbursement Account • Tax-free money – you save approximately 15%-30% in taxes. • Flexible – use the money anywhere within the category. • Ability for reimbursement of the full Plan Year amount if expenses are incurred early in the Plan Year. Return Home Medical Reimbursement Account

  48. What if I don’t use all my money? • According to the Federal rules, unused money is forfeited at the end of the Plan Year, if all claims are not submitted during the run-out period. • However, most people do not leave money in the plan because… • …they only set aside money for predictable expenses. • …they submit their smaller expenses for items such as diabetic supplies, contact lens saline solution, and medical mileage, to use up their monies. Return Home Medical Reimbursement Account

  49. Can I claim the expenses in the Medical Reimbursement Account from my income taxes? • No, the expenses reimbursed under the Medical Reimbursement Account cannot be used toward Medical Itemization (Schedule A) on your Federal Tax return. • Consult your tax advisor to see which method benefits you most. • DBS does not provide tax advice. Medical Reimbursement Account

  50. ! Important Note • The Dependent Care Reimbursement Account and the Medical Reimbursement Account are separate categories. • Pre-tax dollars from one account maynot be used for expenses in the other account. Return Home Medical Reimbursement Account

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