PEB Board learns about enhancements to long-term disability benefits

On May 15, the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEB Board) met. Members attended in person at the Health Care Authority (HCA) in Olympia and remotely. The meeting was open to the public both in person and via Zoom.

Meeting recap

Highlights are listed below. See the briefing book for all presentation materials.

HCA staff introduced the following proposed resolution:

  • PEBB 2025-03 — Amending PEBB Resolution 2021-13, Employer-Paid Long-Term Disability (LTD), which would increase the employer-paid long-term disability maximum monthly benefit from $240 to $450 effective January 1, 2026.

HCA staff introduced and the Board approved the following resolution:

  • PEBB 2025-04 — Amending Resolution PEBB 2024-23, UMP Diagnostic & Supplemental Breast Exam Coverage by removing language that these services are subject to the plan deductible in the UMP Consumer-Directed Health Plan (CDHP). This change is retroactively effective to January 1, 2025.

The Board also approved the following resolution:

  • PEBB 2025-02 — PEBB retiree insurance coverage when the subscriber’s dependent becomes eligible: When a subscriber’s dependent becomes eligible for the employer contribution toward PEBB or SEBB benefits, the subscriber’s dependent will be auto disenrolled from PEBB retiree insurance coverage.

HCA staff provided presentations on the following:

  • Wrap-up of the 2025 legislative session and update on bills that passed and if they have been signed by the Governor
  • Recap of the final conference budget, including measures to address the budget deficit
  • Reviewing LTD coverage, including the plan to increase the employer-paid benefit to $450 and a decrease in rates for the employee-paid benefit in January 2026
  • Update of UMP benefit design for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations, including the Board immediately passing Resolution PEBB 2025-04
  • Update on Benefits 24/7 online enrollment system stabilization efforts

The Board met in executive session before the meeting adjourned.

Next meeting

The next public meeting of the PEB Board is scheduled for June 12, 2025, starting at 9 a.m. Board members and the public may attend in person or virtually via Zoom. A link for virtual attendance will be noted on the meeting agenda and posted on the PEB Board Meetings and materials webpage.