Enrolling in employee benefits is crucial to securing healthcare, financial security, and other essential coverage. BerniePortal's benefits administration system streamlines this process by offering employees an organized, user-friendly enrollment experience.
Whether you're newly hired, choosing benefits for the first time, or an existing employee making modifications during open enrollment, following a clear procedure helps you make informed decisions. This article walks you through the whole process of enrollment in benefits through BerniePortal, covering everything from signing in to submitting your final selections.
- Start by logging into your BerniePortal account. Based on your enrollment status (new or returning employee), click the 'Begin Enrollment' or 'Make Changes' tab on your home page. This will launch your guided enrollment process.
- An 'Enrollment Progress Tracker' tab at the top of the page refreshes as you complete each enrollment step. You can return to any prior step using the 'Back to Previous Step' option (if needed).
During the initial phase, you may be asked to answer basic questions or review important documents. Some key actions are:
- Entering the required personal details
- Downloading and reviewing any documents provided by your employer
- Confirming that you have reviewed it by selecting 'Yes' if a Summary Plan Description (SPD) is available
If you intend to enroll your spouse and/or dependents, you are required to provide their details.
- Toggle the 'On' option for the dependent type(s) you want to cover
- Enter their legal name, correct birth date, social security number, and any other necessary information
- If you're adding multiple dependents, click the 'Add Another Dependent' button
In this phase, you can choose your desired benefit options/plans.
- Read the ‘3 Tips to Electing Benefits’ provided at the beginning of the section
- The left menu lists all available benefits. Once you make a selection, each benefit type will show a checkmark. You can return to any benefit to review or modify your choice
- You can use the shopping cart on the right side to track your per-pay-period costs for selected benefits
- Select plans by clicking the ‘Select a Plan’ dropdown button and review details like coverage options, costs, and related documents
- If you're enrolling family members, check the box next to their names to include them in a plan
- Certain benefits, like ‘Voluntary Life Insurance’, allow you to adjust coverage amounts using a sliding bar
- If you have previously elected benefits through BerniePortal, past selections will be displayed for easy comparison
- If you selected benefits requiring a beneficiary, such as life insurance, you must designate primary and contingent beneficiaries.
- Toggle 'Yes' if you want the same beneficiaries across all applicable policies. Otherwise, select 'No' to assign beneficiaries for each benefit separately
- Click ‘Add Another Beneficiary’ if you need to name multiple people
- Here, you can adjust the percentage distribution using the sliding bar to allocate benefit shares. Repeat this process for contingent beneficiaries
Before making your final selection, you need to carefully review the following information:
- Double-check cost breakdowns for each benefit
- Ensure all required fields are completed
- Use your mouse to sign in the e-signature box
- Click ‘I Agree’ to officially submit your enrollment
Keep the following points in mind to make the registration process smooth:
- Prepare In Advance: Gather all required information, including dependent information (e.g., social security numbers and birthdates) and an understanding of offered benefits
- Review Coverage Options: Take some time to review plan details, pricing, and coverage levels before making a decision
- Utilize Employer Resources: If you have any queries, contact the HR department or refer to the provided resources to further understand your options
- Submit Before The Deadline: You must complete your registration before the deadline to avoid any risks of missing out on coverage
BerniePortal streamlines and simplifies the benefits enrollment procedure. Following the outlined process, employees can efficiently choose, review, and confirm the coverage that best meets their needs.
Paying close attention to plan details and beneficiary designations can help you maximize your benefits package. If you have any doubt, consult your HR department to ensure a smooth enrollment process.