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Published byDiana Foster Modified over 9 years ago
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Starting your Own Transit Benefit Program
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Why All the Excitement? High profile to employees (unlike dental, eye, etc., that is only visible when they need it) Surveys say… Sends the right message to employees (employer understands issues of traffic congestion, environment, money savings) While other employee programs are curtailed— easy choice to keep the ones that save everyone money.
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Average Commute in US: 15 miles.* *Bureau of Transportation Statistics
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The car that gets you to work emits 22 pounds of CO 2 per gallon.* *Average, US EPA
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This equates to roughly 20 pounds of CO 2 each way or 40 pounds round trip. …40 pounds adds up over time…
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One day: 40 lbs. of CO 2 not emitted One month: 920 lbs. One year: 11,040 lbs. Taking transit instead:
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One employee/year: 11,040 lbs. of CO 2 not emitted Five employees/year: 55,200 lbs. Fifty employees/year: 552,000 lbs.
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Goal of Presentation Leave with an understanding of: The two options you have to administer a transportation benefit program Steps to choose a third party benefits administrator (TPA) Steps to self administer a benefit program The interface with online enrollment through a TPA
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Quick Review: IRS 132 (f) -- Very Flexible -- 2 Key Points - Monthly maximum cannot exceed $230 (each for transit and parking) - No cash reimbursement
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Three ways to offer the transit benefit: A. pre-tax payroll deduction B. subsidy, in addition to salary C. a combination of the two
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Two Options for setting up your transit benefit program 1.Have someone else do it for you— through a third-party administrator -- Multiple worksites -- Larger companies 2. Administer it yourself -- Less than 100 employees -- You have one work site
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Self administration: Do it Yourself… 9 steps to setting up your program
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#1 Choose the type of program Debit Cards - IRS considerations Transit Passes - Available from all transit agencies Vouchers - Universal acceptance
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#2 Get management approval #3 Identify key personnel
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#4 Create and distribute survey/enrollment form #5 Tabulate surveys
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#6 Arrange for payroll to establish a deduction code #7 Order vouchers, passes or debit cards
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#8 Distribute benefit to employees #9 Update your personnel policy handbook
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Have someone else do it for you Selecting a Third Party Administrator
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#1 Research options Talk with your payroll or FSA provider Network with other companies to find out about their TPA Talk to HR associations
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#2 Plan your program Who is eligible? Full-timers; part-timers, temp workers (no consultants) Which company branches? Who approves? Which internal staff are affected—payroll, HR? How will you publicize the program? New employee packet; intranet, employee newsletter, etc.
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#3 Meet with a representative Make sure to understand plan details: Costs/fees (start up, PPPM) Timeframes (start up; deadlines) Contract period Your responsibilities (file transfer; payment schedules) Payment options (ACH transfer, invoice, etc.)
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#4 Sign agreement
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#5 Increase your success Meet… Plan... and Publicize… ….for maximum participation
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How an Online Ordering Platform Works… for You and Your Employees.
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Enrollment Deadline: Enrollment Ends Reports Available Two Days Later - Orders/Deductions - Invoice Payment by 15 th of the month - ACH Debit (ACH “Pull” or push) Fulfillment: 18 th – 25 th of the month - Orders shipped Employer’s Monthly Schedule
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Employer’s Administrative Site Login anytime - Upload new hires, delete terms… Excel Document
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Employer’s Administrative Site …Generate Reports Excel Document
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Needed from Employer prior to program roll-out First and Last Name Day and Month of Birth (i.e. 2/20 is sufficient) Home Address Employee ID Email address This information is necessary to recognize the user as your employee, and as someone authorized to enter the website and initiate participation Compromising personal information is NEVER collected File of Eligible Employees
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Sample Implementation Timeline January 2010 fulfillment, using a 1 st of the month enrollment deadline TIMEFRAME Employer provides signed CCD Service Agreement and ACH AuthorizationNov 4 or earlier Implementation Manager (IM) assigned by CCD, uploads Employer’s file of eligible employees to secure website, provides employer with communications materials to be used during program roll-out ~ Nov 10 Employer announces program to employees, distributes communicationsNov 11 Enrollment period: employees select their benefitNov 11 – Dec 1 Enrollment Deadline for January ServiceDec 1 Employer receives email stating that Deduction Report & Invoice for January order are available for download Dec 3 If pretax benefit, Employer takes deductionsDec 3 – Dec 15 Employer pays invoiceDec 15 CCD ships employees’ January orders~ Dec 18 Employees receive their orders at the address they direct, electronic products are loaded, all in time for easy January usage Dec 21– 27 Employees use their fare media, debit or smart card, or redeem their vouchers for fare media or vanpool participation January 1 or earlier
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Employees manage their account in advance of the month of service. They must enroll by an enrollment deadline occurring anywhere from the 1 st to the 10 th of the month that precedes the month of service Always by 11:59pm! “Rolling” Enrollment May 5 SUNDAYMONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAYSATURDAY 1 896342 12 1514 13 1011 9 192221171816 20 26 292824 25 2327 30
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Employee’s User Experience
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Online Enrollment Platform Click on “New Participant Registration”, fill in fields as prompted Must be completed by the enrollment deadline--in the month prior to the month in which employee intends to use the benefit
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Employees Are “Qualified” The data the employee provides here needs to match data supplied by employer in advance of program roll-out
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Password-Protected Homepage This employee is clicking on “transit order”
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Select Metro Area
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Chose Provider, then Product Transit voucher, pass, smart card loading, debit card…
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Agree to Terms and Conditions
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Mark Order to Recur Automatically
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Indicate When No Benefit is Desired Up to one year in advance Vacation, leave of absence, maternity leave, etc. Uncheck the month in question
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Summary Page What we’ll deliver Where we’ll deliver The initial enrollment process takes 5 min. or less Subsequent logins for changes take 3 min. or less
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Also consider including bicycling—it is now covered up to $20 a month! (But there is a caveat) Final Points
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Participate in a Guaranteed Ride Home Program 1.Many programs are free 2. It pays for taxi or car rental in case of emergency at home 3. Check with your local TMA Final Points
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“The mode of transportation that you choose has a greater effect on the environment than any other decision you make as a consumer.” -Union of Concerned Scientists
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