In This Edition
Webinars: Modernization Transforms the Way You Work
Learn how Modernization will change the way you enroll employees and submit reports in the next webinar coming in February. VRS will cover these topics in a 30-minute presentation and a question-and-answer period of up to 30 minutes. Plan to attend if you work in finance or human resources.
A limited number of registrations are available for each date. Please register for one webinar only. You can invite others to participate with you in your conference room.
| Date | Time | |
|---|---|---|
| February 3 | 2 - 3 p.m. | Full |
| February 4 | 10 - 11 a.m. | Full |
| February 9 | 2 - 3 p.m. | Full |
| February 10 | 10 - 11 a.m. | Full |
| February 16 | 2 - 3 p.m. | Full |
| February 17 | 10 - 11 a.m. | Full |
Coming Soon: New Benefit Administration Curriculum
In February, VRS will introduce a new Coordinating VRS Benefits Curriculum for new and experienced human resource officers. The curriculum provides:
- Three online foundation courses as an introduction to the core and elective courses. New human resource officers are encouraged to take these courses before taking other courses.
- Five core courses on death-in-service benefits, disability retirement, group life insurance, purchase of prior service and service retirement.
- Electives targeted to your employer group. Current electives include hazardous duty benefits for political subdivision employees, health insurance credit, Optional Retirement Plan for Higher Education, Virginia Law Officers’ Retirement System benefits and the basics of the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP). Additional electives are being developed.
Flexible Scheduling and Learning Mediums
You can mix and match courses according to your needs and take them when it’s convenient for you. Foundation and elective courses will be offered through e-learning, which you can take anytime. Most core courses will be offered through monthly webinars. Four instructor-led regional sessions also will be scheduled to allow you to take four core courses over two days.
Participants Can Transfer to the Voluntary Long-Term Care Plan by January 15
VRS selected Genworth Life Insurance Company to replace Aetna Life Insurance Company as the provider for the Commonwealth of Virginia Voluntary Group Long-Term Care Program. The change in providers is effective March 1, 2010. Employees and retirees who enrolled in the program with Aetna may transfer their coverage to Genworth Life and receive a transfer credit. The credit will be spread over the duration of the new Genworth Life coverage to reduce participants’ premiums. This offer ends on January 15, 2010. Those who do not transfer their coverage by January 15 will remain covered with Aetna and will not be eligible for the transfer credit.
Under Genworth Life, participants’ premium rates are guaranteed until March 1, 2020. In addition, premiums may be reduced if an employee elects to pay the premiums on a quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis.
For more information on transfer enrollment for employees who are current voluntary long-term care participants and to view sample participant materials, go to Genworth Life/VRS.
An initial enrollment period for employees who do not participate in the program begins in March. If you would like your employees to receive information about the program, contact Debbie Welch at VRS, DWelch@varetire.org, before January 29.
VRS-participating political subdivisions must elect to offer the Commonwealth of Virginia Voluntary Long-Term Care Program through a Memorandum of Understanding with VRS. Local governments that do not participate in VRS also are eligible to elect the program. For more information, contact Cathi Ames at GLTCInfo@genworth.com.
Contact Compliance Review Continues
State agency administrative authorities will be receiving a Contact Compliance Review packet in February to verify your employer contacts. The review for school divisions was completed in the fall; the review for political subdivisions will begin in May 2010.
VRS conducts an employer contact compliance review every 18 months to ensure your authorized employer contacts are up to date and only those your administrative head authorizes are allowed access to your employees’ information. If you do not have any designated contacts, do so now to ensure you are in compliance.
Who are Employer Contacts?
Employer contacts are those individuals designated for each employer who have authority to receive confidential information, monthly employer reports and other information from VRS. The designated human resource and payroll contacts also are authorized to access myVRS for Employers.
What is the Process?
Your designated administrative authority will receive a packet containing a report listing all currently authorized contacts for your employer code. Your administrative authority must sign the report to certify your employer contacts within 30 days of receiving the packet. Packets will be mailed according to the following schedule:
| Employer Type | Packet Mail Date | Certification is due to VRS within 30 days of receipt of packet. Note: Returning the report after 30 days may result in a suspension of access to VRS information and myVRS for Employers. |
|---|---|---|
| State Agencies | February 2010 | |
| Political Subdivisions | May 2010 |
When your administrative authority receives the packet, he or she should review the report and certify that:
- There is a primary contact for human resources, payroll, publications and accounting. One individual can fulfill several functions.
- All primary and secondary contact information is complete and up to date.
The packet also will contain:
- Certification sheet that the administrative authority must sign and submit with the report.
- Instruction sheet.
- Authorization of Employer Contacts (VRS-67)
50kb. Use this form to update your employer contacts, such as adding or deleting a contact. - Employer Certification of Authority (VRS-67A) 60kb. Use this form to change the primary administrative authority or designate a secondary administrative authority.
Compliance Review Resources
A brief online tutorial on completing the compliance review is available at Employer Training.
If you have questions, call VRS toll free at 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847). Select menu option 3 to speak to an employer advisor.
FAQ of the Month
Q: If an employee submits a retirement application and then changes the retirement date, what do I need to submit?
A: Submit a Change to Certification for Retirement (VRS-49) 22kb. Do not submit another Application for Service Retirement.
Have a question?
E-mail the editor. If your question has broad appeal, it could be featured in a future edition of Employer Update.
Important note: Do not send a question regarding an individual employee or the employee’s confidential or personal information, such as a Social Security number, to the editor. For assistance with a specific case, call VRS toll free at 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847) to speak with an Employer Advisor (select menu option 3) or contact your Employer Representative.
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