Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Benefit Resource Inc (BRI) is our FSA benefits administrator.
Flexible spending accounts enable you to set aside a predetermined dollar amount in an account to cover eligible out-of-pocket health care and dependent care expenses. IRS rules allow you to contribute to your account(s) through payroll deductions on a pre-tax basis which reduces your taxable income.
Elections for the FSA plans are made in December for the next calendar year.
Each account is separate; you cannot transfer funds from one to another. Enrollment is voluntary and you can choose to enroll in the plan(s) that meet your needs.
If you elect to participate in the Health Care FSA and/or the Dependent Care FSA, you may not change this contribution or cancel within the plan year, unless you have a “qualifying life event” as defined by the IRS.
Eligible Expenses
If you or a family member have out-of-pocket medical, dental, or vision care expenses, the Health Care FSA can be a valuable, tax-saving strategy for you.
Your Health Care FSA is like a personal savings account where you may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for your eligible health care expenses. See table in sidebar for maximum amount you may elect to put aside for the plan year.
Think about using your FSA for recurring copays that you have for medication or the expenses associated with eyeglasses that are not fully covered by your health, dental or vision plan. There may be medical expenses that you or your family members are responsible for during the coming year – expenses that the FSA can help you to cover. Detailed information about eligible health care expenses can be found in the IRS Publication 502, which is on the IRS website at www.irs.gov/publications/p502/index.html.
NOTE: For Flexible Spending Accounts you must make a new election each year. Your current elections will NOT automatically roll over into the next plan year
You can also set aside funds in a Dependent Care FSA to pay for eligible expenses incurred for the care of your dependent children (under the age of 13) or any person living with you (e.g. a parent) whom you claim as a dependent (who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care). To take advantage of the tax savings offered by this plan, both you and your spouse must be employed. See table in sidebar for maximum amount you may elect to put aside for the plan year.
Expenses not related to day care are not eligible for reimbursement. Some examples of ineligible expenses are: educational expenses, overnight camps, nursing home care, meals, special classes such as dance or swimming.
NOTE: For Flexible Spending Accounts you must make a new election each year. Your current elections will NOT automatically roll over into the next plan year
The Transportation Program allows you to pay for eligible transportation expenses to and from work only with pre-tax dollars through payroll deduction. See table in sidebar for maximum amount you may elect to put aside for the plan year.
Eligible expenses include:
Parking Expenses – Expenses incurred to park your car on or near the business premises of the Employer or expenses incurred to park your car at a location from which you commute to work ( i.e. mass transit facilities, a Commuter Highway Vehicle, or carpool).
Transit Pass Expenses – Expenses incurred for a pass, fare card, voucher, or similar item for transportation on mass transit or business that charges a fee for transporting persons in a vehicle that seats at least 6 commuting adults.
Transit benefits roll over year to year, so there is no need to re-enroll.
Important Reminders
FSA Plans
Rollover Provision
Our Health Care FSA plans permit you to carry over remaining balances of up to $680 to 2027. The $680 carry-over amount does not affect your ability to elect up to the annual contribution maximum. You will have until March 30, 2027 to submit any claims for reimbursement that were incurred during the 2026 calendar year.
Enroll Each Year to Participate – If you would like to participate in our Flexible Spending Accounts, you must make a new election each year. Current elections will NOT automatically roll over into the next plan year.
Transportation Plan
If you enroll in the Transit program, your benefits roll over from year to year.