Toolkit for Employers: Supporting Newly Hired PERS or TRS Defined Contribution Members

This toolkit is designed to help employers provide essential resources to newly hired members of the PERS or TRS Defined Contribution plan webpage.

The State of Alaska offers a variety of benefits; however, not all benefits are available to every employer or have been selected by all employers for participation. As the employer, it is your responsibility to build your employee orientation kit based on the specific plans you participate in and the services you offer.

If you are unsure which plan your organization is enrolled in or need guidance, please reach out to your Retirement and Benefits counselor for clarification.

Print the Political Subdivision DCR New Employee Checklist PDF and customize it by selecting the plans you participate in, along with the recommended handouts for DCR employees. Then, locate and print the relevant documents below. Once everything is ready, provide the checklist and documents to the employee.

• Select Your Beneficiary PDF
• Updated documents to come.

To complete the customization of your new employee packet, please refer to the Political Subdivision DCR New Employee Checklist PDF . From the list below, select and print the forms that apply to your new employee.

Defined Contribution Retirement (DCR) Plan

1. PERS Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Features and Highlights PDF
2. PERS Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Overview PDF
3. TRS Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Features and Highlights PDF
4. TRS Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Overview PDF
5. Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Overview of Your Retirement Benefits (dcr010) PDF
6. Disability Benefits webpage PDF

Supplemental Annuity Plan (SBS-AP)

1. SBS Annuity Plan Features and Highlights PDF
   SBS Annuity participants may also enroll in the below Voluntary Supplemental Benefit Options.

Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP)

1. 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Features and Highlights PDF

Voluntary Supplemental Benefits (VSBs)

Eligible employees wishing to participate in VSB must elect to enroll within 30 days of hire or during an open enrollment period. Enroll or complete beneficiary designations by going to BENEFITFOCUS website .

VSB options include:

• Life insurance starting at 10K up to 300K
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Short or Long-Term Disability
• Critical Illness

Political Subdivision Group Health and Life Plan (GHL)

Enroll or complete beneficiary designations by going to BENEFITFOCUS website .

Eligible employees wishing to participate must contact their employer regarding enrollment into the plan.

• Basic Life and AD&D is provided by the employer for eligible employees.
• Employees can choose to elect Select Life up to a maximum of 60K for a premium.
• Political Subdivision Group Life Insurance Plan Flyer PDF

1. After your first payroll has processed:
   

   Login to your Empower account on the Empower Retirement website to complete a beneficiary form for each account you have with them. This applies to State of Alaska’s PERS DCR, TRS DCR, SBS Annuity, or DCP.



2. View online orientation videos:
   

   Watch employee orientation videos that apply to you.



3. Within the Next 3 months:
   

   Learn more about your benefits by scheduling an appointment (telephonic or in-person) with a Retirement Benefit Counselor.



4. Within the Next 3 months:
   

   Learn more about your investments and tools to help you manage your funds by scheduling an appointment with an Empower Retirement Plan Advisor.



5. Make an appointment:
   

   Make regular annual appointments with an Empower representative to stay on track for retirement or if you experience any major life event (marriage, divorce, birth, loss of spouse, job promotion, inheritance etc.).