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Hennepin County, Minnesota

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Employee retirement

Learn about retirement benefits for county employees.

 

 

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Required retirement plan

Retirement plan required of most employees

  • County employees are required to take part in the retirement savings plan
  • The plan is managed by the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)
  • Money comes out of your paycheck pre-tax
  • The county also contributes a separate amount
  • When you retire, you get a monthly payment for the rest of your life
  • Your payment is based on your age, earnings and years of service    
  • You automatically become a member of PERA
  • You don't have to do anything to create an account 

Automatic paycheck deductions and county contributions   

  • Most employees: 6.5% gross salary plus a 7.5% county contribution (14% total)
  • Correctional employees: 5.83% gross salary plus a 8.75% county contribution (14.58% total)
  • Police and fire employees: 11.3% gross salary plus a 16.95% county contribution (27% total)

Withdrawal rules

  • You can't withdraw money from the PERA account while still employed by the county
  • If you leave the county before you retire, you can get a refund or leave the money in
  • A refund includes your contributions plus interest
  • A refund doesn't include the county's contribution 

Exceptions to participation

  • Some employees aren't allowed to take part in the PERA plan based on their job status    

Retirement education

Contact 

651-296-7460
PERA website

Other select required plans

Health care savings plan for certain employee groups

Certain employee groups (union and nonunion) are required to enroll in the health care savings plan and enrollment is automatic. Money comes out of your paycheck pre-tax to pay for post-employment health care premiums and other costs. The money covers costs for you, your spouse, children up to age 26 and any dependents.

Health care savings plan employee groups (PDF)

Health care savings plan contact  

Minnesota State Retirement System
651-296-2761 or 1-800-657-5757
Minnesota State Retirement System

1% supplemental retirement plan (closed to new enrollees in 1982)

This plan only applies to employees hired or re-hired before April 14, 1982 who qualified and chose to take part in this plan. Enrollment closed April 14, 1982.

The plan administrator is Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS). To request a hardship withdrawal, contact MSRS.

1% supplemental retirement plan web page

1% supplemental retirement plan contact

Minnesota State Retirement System
651-296-2761 or 1-800-657-5757
Minnesota State Retirement System

Optional retirement plan

Overview of deferred compensation

  • Like a 401(k) plan, deferred compensation is a way to save for retirement
  • Deferred compensation lets you set aside money pre-tax, after-tax or both
  • The county doesn't contribute separate money into your deferred compensation plan
  • You can only withdraw the money if you retire, resign or need the money for a financial hardship
  • Once you retire, you can leave the money in or withdraw it

Amount you can set aside

You can set aside as much money into deferred compensation as the IRS allows:

  • Under age 50: yearly limit $19,000 
  • Over age 50: yearly limit $25,000
  • Within three years of normal retirement age: each of the three years you can set aside up to $38,000 over the normal limit
  • One-minute video on deferred compensation

    Enrolling in deferred compensation

    1. Choose and contact a vendor to set up an account

    • You can use more than one
    • For example you can have after-tax contributions with one and pre-tax contributions with another
    • You can change vendors and transfer money from one to another
    • Meeting with vendors is on your own time

    Vendors:

    Vendor overview:

    2. Email HR benefits

    Email us at hr.benefits@hennepin.us with:

    • Your name and employee ID number
    • Pre-tax dollar amount you want set aside each paycheck
    • After-tax dollar amount you want set aside each paycheck
    • Name of your vendor(s)

    Start date for your deductions

    • You’ll see changes in your paycheck the month after we get your email  

    Once you're enrolled in deferred compensation

    • You can increase, decrease or stop your contributions any time
    • Make changes in APEX 

    Rollovers from other employers 

    To roll money over:

    1. Set up a deferred compensation account with a county vendor
    2. Ask for rollover paperwork from the county vendor
    3. Ask for rollover paperwork from your former employer’s vendor
    4. Scan and email your paperwork to hr.benefits@hennepin.us
    5. We’ll sign and return your paperwork to the county vendor

    Withdrawals from your deferred compensation account

    • You can only withdraw the money when you retire, resign or need the money for a financial hardship 
    • You must get approval for the hardship withdrawal

    The approval process depends on the vendor: 

    • Fidelity or VOYA: email HR benefits at hr.benefits@hennepin.us to ask for a hardship withdrawal application. We’ll contact you about next steps. 
    • Minnesota Deferred Compensation Plan: call 651-296-2761
    • 1% supplemental retirement fund (for employees hired before April 14, 1982): call the Minnesota State Retirement System at 651-296-2761

    Pre-retirement planning

    Choosing your retirement date

    • Choose your retirement date six to 12 months ahead of time
    • Everything you do to prepare for retiring depends on your retirement date

    Using your remaining paid leave

    • Check the balance of your paid leave in APEX
    • You can take your remaining time off before you retire with your supervisor’s approval
    • You can also divert the cash value of your remaining paid leave into your deferred compensation plan
    • Health care savings plan members: all or part of any remaining paid leave automatically goes into your plan 

    Sick leave and vacation

    Payouts depend on how long you've worked at the county:

    • At least eight years: You receive pay for up to 800 unused hours (lifetime cap) of vacation and sick leave. Once you receive the 800 hour lifetime cap, vacation is always paid out.
    • Less than eight years: You receive pay for up to 280 unused hours of vacation only. Sick leave is not paid out.

    Paid time off (PTO) 

    • You receive pay for up to 480 unused hours
    • If you converted to PTO from sick leave and vacation: You receive pay for up to 800 unused hours (lifetime cap) and up to 480 unused hours of PTO

    County pre-retirement seminars 

    • You can attend a seminar on county time with your supervisor’s approval 
    • Spouses are welcome
    • Register in APEX 

    2019 seminars

    All seminars run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Auditorium:

    • Thursday, March 7, 2019
    • Thursday, June 6, 2019
    • Thursday, September 5, 2019
    • Thursday, December 5, 2019

    Seminar materials

    You can print or save these. We don’t hand these out at the seminar:

    Retirement education

    Retirement checklist: 2-3 months before you retire

    Giving notice

    Setting up PERA payments 

    Continuing insurance after you retire 

    Using the health care savings plan and 1% Supplemental Retirement Plan

    Deciding how to use your deferred compensation

    Choice 1: Withdraw the money:

    • Ask your vendor for withdrawal paperwork
    • Scan and email the completed paperwork to HR benefits at hr.benefits@hennepin.us
    • We’ll sign and return the paperwork to your vendor
    • We’ll return the paperwork to your vendor after we issue your check for unused vacation, sick and PTO

    Choice 2: Leave the money in.

    Choice 3: Contribute the cash value of your remaining paid leave (sick time, vacation and PTO) into your plan:

    • If you don't have a deferred compensation plan you can set one up before you retire  

    • The cash value has a small amount of taxation before going into your deferred compensation plan

    Before your retirement date, email HR benefits at hr.benefits@hennepin.us with: 

    • Your name and ID number
    • Retirement date
    • Amount of after-tax money going into the plan and which vendor
    • Amount of pre-tax money going into the plan and which vendor

    Applying for Medicare (employees 65 and older) 

    • If you’re applying for Part B of Medicare, you must bring a completed Request for Employment Information form to Social Security. To request a completed form, email HR benefits at hr.benefits@hennepin.us.
    • Select a Medicare supplement plan. The county sponsors Medicare plans through HealthPartners. Call 952-883-7428 or visit HealthPartners. For information about other plans contact Senior Linkage Line at 1-800-333-2433.

    Submitting expenses for trade time for fitness and flexible spending accounts  

    • Flexible spending accounts close the day you retire
    • Send in any outstanding trade time for fitness expenses
    • You can only use money in the account for expenses you had while actively working

    Cancelling transit cards

    • MetroPass: Submit completed MetroPass cancellation form (DOCX) and your card to HR benefits at mail code 040 by the 23rd of the month you retire
    • Go-To card deduction: Cancel in APEX
    • Mobility Fare card deduction: Cancel in APEX

    Printable checklist

    Final paychecks

    Last regular paycheck:

    • If you have direct deposit, the check goes into your bank
    • Otherwise it goes to your home address listed in APEX 
    • Paycheck taxed normally
    • Deductions also come out for charities, college savings plan and Minnesota Benefits Association.
    • Paycheck comes on the normal pay schedule

    Other final paychecks come two weeks after your regular paycheck and are taxed:

    • Unused sick leave, vacation and PTO
    • Unused comp time, deferred holiday time and banked special leave without pay: PERA deductions also come out
    • Retention pay: amount depends on how many pay periods you worked since the last payment
    • Health care savings plan members: retention pay may automatically go into your plan

    To get a hard copy of your last paychecks:

    • Ask your HR APEX contact to mail copies to your home

    Phased retirement

    Approval required 

    If your department allows it and you qualify under PERA rules, you can take part in phased retirement.

    Phased retirement allows eligible employees to receive PERA retirement benefits while working part time:

    1. Talk to your supervisor to see if phased retirement is available to you.
    2. To determine if you qualify under PERA rules, visit the phased retirement web page.
    3. If you qualify, send the completed phased retirement agreement form to PERA with a copy to your HR APEX contact.
    4. Scan and email a copy to HR benefits at hr.benefits@hennepin.us.
    5. Qualified current employees can enroll through June 30, 2019.

    Choice 1: Stay in your current position and cut your hours

    Sick leave, vacation or paid time off

    You keep your balances and continue to earn sick leave, vacation and paid time off at your current rate, based on your part time hours.

    Short- and long-term disability

    You lose these benefits.

    Early retiree health insurance plan

    Your original hire date and years of service determine if you qualify.

    1% supplemental retirement

    If you have this benefit, it continues.

    Choice 2: Resign and get re-hired at fewer hours within six months

    Payout of unused sick leave, vacation or paid time off

    You get paid when you resign.

    Sick leave, vacation or paid time off after rehire

    You may ask your supervisor if you can earn these hours at the same rate you did before you resigned.

    Short- and long-term disability

    You lose these benefits.

    Early retiree health insurance plan

    Your original hire date and years of service determine if you qualify.

    1% supplemental retirement

    You still have your account but no longer make contributions.

    Continuing your insurance after you retire

    Dental, vision, life and flexible spending account

    Regardless of your age at retirement you can continue these benefits at your own expense:

    • Dental insurance for as long as you want
    • Vision insurance for up to 18 months
    • Life insurance for up to 18 months
    • Flexible spending account – health care expense account to the end of the plan year

    Process

    1. You’ll receive a packet from 121 Benefits, the county’s COBRA administrator
    2. Mark the election form with your benefit choices
    3. Sign the form
    4. Send the signed form and a check for the first month’s cost to 121 Benefits
    5. Continue to send monthly payments to 121 Benefits

    Health insurance: retiring at age 65 or older

    • If you retire at age 65 or older you can’t continue county health insurance 

    Medicare supplement plan

    • You can buy a county-sponsored Medicare supplement plan from HealthPartners
    • If you buy the county-sponsored HealthPartners plan, your spouse can also enroll if they're at least 65 and covered by county health insurance
    • Call 952-883-7428 and mention Hennepin County
    • For information about individual plans call Senior Linkage Line at 1-800-333-2433

    Spouses under 65

    • Can stay on county health insurance if they have it at the time you retire
    • Can stay on it up to 36 months or until age 65 if you're enrolled in a county-sponsored Medicare plan

    Cost to keep spouse on county health insurance is normal premium plus 2%:

    • Standard: $844.35 per month
    • Advantage: HealthPartners/Park Nicollet = $772.30 per month
    • Advantage: Fairview/North Memorial/Health East = $768.48 
    • Advantage: HCMC/NorthPoint = $710.93 per month

    Health insurance: retiring before age 65 

    • If you retire while under age 65 and meet other criteria, you can receive a county contribution toward the cost of your health insurance as if you are still working
    • The county contribution applies to the employee-only portion, and not for the cost of any dependents
    • The county contribution lasts until the end of the month you turn 65  

    To qualify for early retiree health insurance, you must meet all three of these:

    1. You must be under age 65

    2. You must belong to one of these groups with no break in service:

    • Non-union regular employees hired or rehired on or before January 1, 2007
    • Union regular employees hired or rehired on or before January 1, 2008 and did not opt-out of early retiree health coverage
    • Unclassified employees hired or rehired on or before January 1, 2007
    • Elected officials who took office on or before January 1, 2007

    3. You must meet one of these:

    1. You are:
      • At least age 55 with 20 years of service
      • At least age 62 with 15 years of service
      • At least age 63 with 14 years of service
      • At least age 64 with 13 years of service
    2. You’ve been approved for a full retirement payment from a public retirement plan (like PERA) based on at least 10 years with the county. An example is the Rule of 90.
    3. You’ve been approved for a retirement payment from a public retirement plan (like PERA) based on at least 25 years of pension credit (time that counts toward earning retirement benefits), at least 10 of those with the county

    Employee-only monthly cost

    Health insurance - with county contribution 

    • Standard: $91.06
    • Advantage: HealthPartners/Park Nicollet = $53.00
    • Advantage: Fairview/North Memorial/HealthEast = $52.74
    • Advantage: HCMC/NorthPoint = $20.91

    Health insurance - you pay full cost 

    • Standard: $827.79
    • Advantage: HealthPartners/Park Nicollet = $757.16
    • Advantage: Fairview/North Memorial/HealthEast = $753.41 
    • Advantage: HCMC/NorthPoint = $696.99

    Other insurance costs

    • Dental insurance: $41.08
    • Vision insurance: $5.33
    • Life insurance: $6.12 per month for a basic life plan of $50,000 coverage. For supplemental insurance, refer to your packet from 121 Benefits.
    • Flexible spending account – health care expense account: You can continue with post-tax dollars

    Employee and spouse monthly cost

    If you’re already married and want to add your spouse to your insurance before you retire, you cannot do so unless it’s during open enrollment or if you have a life event before you retire.

    Health insurance - with county contribution 

    • Standard: $1,208.52
    • Advantage: HealthPartners/Park Nicollet = $1,075.14
    • Advantage: Fairview/North Memorial/HealthEast = $1,069.82 
    • Advantage: HCMC/NorthPoint = $961.79

    Health insurance - you pay full cost 

    • Standard: $1,945.25
    • Advantage: HealthPartners/Park Nicollet = $1,779.30
    • Advantage: Fairview/North Memorial/HealthEast = $1,770.49 
    • Advantage: HCMC/NorthPoint = $1,637.87

    Other insurance costs

    • Dental insurance: $91.91
    • Vision insurance: $10.01
    • Life insurance: $6.12 per month for a basic life plan of $50,000 coverage. For supplemental insurance, refer to your packet from 121 Benefits.
    • Flexible spending account – health care expense account: You can continue with post-tax dollars

    Employee and children monthly cost

    Health insurance - with county contribution 

    • Standard: $753.29
    • Advantage: HealthPartners/Park Nicollet = $658.72
    • Advantage: Fairview/North Memorial/HealthEast = $655.46 
    • Advantage: HCMC/NorthPoint = $578.46

    Health insurance - you pay full cost 

    • Standard: $1,490.02
    • Advantage: HealthPartners/Park Nicollet = $1,362.88
    • Advantage: Fairview/North Memorial/HealthEast = $1,356.13 
    • Advantage: HCMC/NorthPoint = $1,254.54

    Other insurance costs

    • Dental insurance: $91.91
    • Vision insurance: $10.53
    • Life insurance: $6.12 per month for a basic life plan of $50,000 coverage. For supplemental insurance, refer to your packet from 121 Benefits.
    • Flexible spending account – health care expense account: You can continue with post-tax dollars

    Family monthly cost

    Health insurance - with county contribution 

    • Standard: $1,539.65
    • Advantage: HealthPartners/Park Nicollet = $1,377.98
    • Advantage: Fairview/North Memorial/HealthEast = $1,371.16
    • Advantage: HCMC/NorthPoint = $1240.60

    Health insurance - you pay full cost 

    • Standard: $2,276.38
    • Advantage: HealthPartners/Park Nicollet = $2,082.14
    • Advantage: Fairview/North Memorial/HealthEast = $2,071.83
    • Advantage: HCMC/NorthPoint = $1,916.68

    Other insurance costs

    • Dental insurance: $91.91
    • Vision insurance: $15.60
    • Life insurance: $6.12 per month for a basic life plan of $50,000 coverage. For supplemental insurance, refer to your packet from 121 Benefits.
    • Flexible spending account – health care expense account: You can continue with post-tax dollars

    Contact information

    Insurance

    Health, dental, vision and life insurance

    121 Benefits 
    612-877-4321 or 1-800-300-1672 
    121 Benefits website 

    Dental insurance

    HealthPartners 
    952-883-5000 
    HealthPartners website

    Health incentive

    Hennepin County HealthWorks
    612-348-4628 

    If you’re under 65

    PreferredOne
    763-847-4477 
    PreferredOne website   

    Retirement savings plans

    Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)

    651-296-7460 
    PERA website  

    Health Care Savings Plan

    651-296-2761 
    Minnesota State Retirement System website

    1% Supplemental Retirement Plan

    651-296-2761 
    Minnesota State Retirement System website

    VOYA

    612-492-0202 
    VOYA website

    Fidelity

    1-800-343-0860 
    Fidelity website

    Minnesota Deferred Compensation Plan

    651-296-2761 
    Minnesota Deferred Compensation Plan website   

    Flexible spending account

    121 Benefits  
    612-877-4321 or 1-800-300-1672 
    121 Benefits website

    Benefits staff help

    15 minute phone consultations

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