Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do Open Enrollment anytime throughout the year?
No, you have until the deadline of May 31, 2021 to complete the enrollment process for 2021-2022. After that date, open enrollment will close and will no longer be accessible.
I have insurance questions or want assistance in completing my open enrollment.
HR Services is happy to assist! Our office is working remotely again this year, and unfortunately, we're not able to meet with folks face-to-face. Please feel free to email, call, or set up a Microsoft Teams meeting with us and we will be happy to help you out that way. Email - hrservices@dickinson.edu; Phone - 717-245-1503, or reach out via Teams to one of our helpful staff members.
I don't have internet access at home, how am I able to make changes for July 1?
Please contact our office at 717-245-1504 and we will reach out to you and get you the information you need.
I don't know what my salary will be on July 1. How can I find that out?
To give employees sufficient time to review and/or select benefits for 2021-22, open enrollment will include your FY21 salary. Your current 2020-21 annualized salary is displayed right in open enrollment. It is shown at the start of open enrollment directly underneath the dates. Compensation letters will be posted in the Gateway the week following the scheduled Board of Trustees meeting on June 11. They will be found under Employees, then navigate to the Salary Letter section.
Since I don't know what my salary will be yet for 2021-22, what should I do if I need to make a change after open enrollment ends and that information is released?
Employees may make changes to retirement contributions at any time throughout the year directly in Self Service Banner (SSB). To do that, please follow these instructions. If you need to make a change to your flexible spending options or insurance elections for 2021-22, please contact our office via email at 'hrservices@dickinson.edu' no later than June 30. Please be advised that any changes made after open enrollment closes on May 31 will not be able to generate an estimate of take home pay.
What happened to Dickinson's 8% retirement contribution and the .25% match? Do I need to contribute to retirement?
Dickinson's employer retirement contributions were temporarily suspended for a 10-month period beginning December 2020.They will start up again for October 2021. Employees are not required to contribute personal funds via payroll deduction; however, it is encouraged and a great way to build retirement savings! For employees with at least one year of full-time service at Dickinson, a .25% contribution is required in order to receive Dickinson's .25% match contribution (that will start up again in October 2021).
How much may I contribute to a Flexible Spending Account?
The maximum an individual may contribute to a Health Care Expense Account is $2,750 per plan year.
The maximum for a Dependent Care Expense Account is a 'family maximum'. The combined limit between both spouses may not exceed $5,000 or your own personal limit if less than $5,000. Dickinson employees who utilize the Dickinson College Children's Center receive a discounted tuition rate. The amount of this discount is included in the $5,000 family maximum exclusion and should be considered when choosing your deduction amount. Any benefits in excess of $5,000 are included in gross income with applicable taxes withheld on the final pay cycle of the calendar year.
I entered a "0" amount for my Flexible Spending Account. Why does it say that I have elected to start the benefit?
The system assumes since you've entered something in the per-pay amount, that you would like to start the benefit. You can go back to that election and choose 'Stop Benefit' to end it.
I want to sign up for Dental Insurance for the first time. I selected 'Add Choice', but I am getting an error message that says: "A valid plan must be chosen". What am I doing wrong?
You need to select either Employee, Employee+Spouse/EE+Child, or Employee+Spouse+Child(ren)/Employee+Children coverage. Then you should 'Add Choice'.
How secure is this open enrollment process?
We have taken every precaution to ensure that the Open Enrollment process is as secure as possible. You log into the Dickinson Gateway, our secure portal. Because there is no paper to go through the mail system, there is no chance that the information can get "lost" or that someone else might open your mail.
If I can do Open Enrollment as many times as I want up until the deadline, how will I know you have the right information?
Human Resource Services will have the most recent information that you have completed. All previous entries are overwritten. Please be sure to complete the process by clicking on the 'Complete' button.
Since I am doing this on-line, does that mean I no longer have to do any paperwork?
You need to complete paperwork for Human Resource Services if you are adding/removing a dependent from your coverage and if you are enrolling or changing your level of Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage. Contributing money for the first time in retirement also requires an on-line enrollment directly with either TIAA and/or Fidelity.
How do I see my estimated take home pay?
Once you 'Complete' the open enrollment process, a link will be displayed to 'Estimate Take Home Pay'. By clicking on that link, you will see an estimate of your July 1 pay. This functionality will not be available for any changes made after open enrollment closes.
How do I get a copy of my information?
To get a copy, use the Print button on your browser to print a copy of the information right off the web. If you forgot to print it, you can go back in to open enrollment before the deadline and print from your web browser. Your elections will also be verified via email the following day to your Dickinson email address. You will also receive a final email confirmation in mid-June.
What if I need to make retirement or insurance changes during the year?
You are able to make changes to your retirement contributions through Self Service Banner anytime during the year. If you have a life status qualifying event, you may be able to change your insurance options. You should contact Human Resource Services to make insurance changes.