September 20, 2023

Open enrollment is your chance to make coverage changes for the upcoming year. PEBA wants to help you choose your benefits destination, so you are ready to select your insurance coverage for 2024. Start thinking now about what changes you might want to make to your coverage. Our open enrollment webpage can help you explore your options, so you’ll be ready to pack your bags and elect your benefits for 2024.

Eligible subscribers can make changes between October 1-31, 2023. Any changes you make during open enrollment will take effect January 1, 2024.

During this year’s open enrollment, you can enroll in Dental Plus. Changes to existing dental coverage can be made during open enrollment only in odd-numbered years. If you don't make changes this year, your next opportunity to make dental changes will be in October 2025.

If you are satisfied with your coverage, you don’t need to do anything. Your coverage will continue in 2024. Keep in mind, though, you must re-enroll in MoneyPlus flexible spending accounts each year.

If you’re unsure what insurance coverage you currently have, log in to MyBenefits to find out. While you’re logged in, take a few minutes to review your life insurance beneficiaries and make any necessary updates.

Highlights for 2024

• Active employee and funded retiree health insurance premiums will not increase in 2024.
• Permanent, part-time teacher, partially funded retiree, non-funded retiree, COBRA subscriber, survivor and former spouse health insurance premiums will increase in 2024.
• If you work for an optional employer, verify your rates with your benefits office.
• There will be a increase in premiums for Dental Plus and the State Vision Plan.
• The State Health Plan will cover an annual well woman visit at no member cost for eligible female non-Medicare primary members, effective January 1, 2024.
• The State Health Plan will cover birth control at no member cost for primary members covered as child dependents.
• Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC) will be the new State Flexible Benefits Plan (MoneyPlus) administrator. Administrative fees will reduce to $2.14 per account per month. Learn more at www.SCMoneyPlus.com.

Visit peba.sc.gov/oe to choose your benefits destination so you’ll be ready to pack your bags and elect your benefits for 2024.

It’s always good practice to review and update your beneficiary information, especially if you have had an important life event, such as a marriage or the birth of a child. To get started, make sure you have all necessary beneficiary information, such as full names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers.

For more information on updating beneficiaries, visit peba.sc.gov/update-beneficiary or check out our Designating Active Member Beneficiaries flyer.

Retirement defined benefit plans through PEBA

Active members have the option to designate three types of beneficiaries for their retirement accounts. To update your beneficiary, log in to Member Access.

State Optional Retirement Program

If you participate in State ORP, you must update beneficiaries for your State ORP account with your chosen service provider. Your beneficiary must submit a claim to receive your account balance in the event of your death. As a State ORP participant, you may also be eligible for an incidental death benefit, which is administered by PEBA. You may update your incidental death benefit beneficiaries through Member Access.

Life insurance

Active employees can update life insurance beneficiaries at any time through MyBenefits. The change is effective on the date the request is made. Retirees who have life insurance with MetLife may review or update beneficiary designations with MetLife.

Deferred Compensation Program

If you participate in Deferred Comp, you must update beneficiaries for your Deferred Comp account with Empower Retirement. You must designate beneficiaries for each plan in which you participate. Your beneficiary must submit a claim to receive your Deferred Comp account balance in the event of your death.

You wake up with a scratchy throat, a sweaty forehead and a sinking feeling in your stomach. Sure enough, you’re running a fever. As you curl up on the couch and watch reruns, your mind races over lost work hours and canceled plans.

We’ve all been there. Even if you are careful, you can still end up sidelined from your life thanks to seasonal viruses. A cold, the flu and COVID-19 are always more prevalent this time of year, but there are steps you can take to improve your odds of staying healthy.

1. Get vaccinated. Vaccines are one of the best ways to avoid getting sick. They can also reduce the severity of viruses if you get infected. State Health Plan members can get a flu shot and the latest COVID vaccine at no cost each year at a network pharmacy or doctor’s office (associated office visit charges apply). Additionally, the newly recommended RSV vaccine for members ages 60 and older is also available at no cost. Check out www.PEBAperks.com for details.
2. Wash your hands. Washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds will remove most germs and decrease your chances of getting sick. Be thorough when you wash your hands. Scrub your palms, the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
3. Protect others. If you are running a fever or feel sick, stay away from others. Remain at home or in a separate room until you are no longer contagious. If you must be in a public space, cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze and try to avoid crowds.