What happens with my benefits?

This is – probably – the most common question we expected to receive.  We’re glad you asked.  The response below is specific to SFG & IPC team members not represented by a collective bargaining agreement.  Team members – in Owensboro – represented by UFCW will continue with the benefits that were negotiated previously.

Through the end of this calendar year (December 31), there will be no change to your medical, dental, vision, or other elected benefits.  There were two reasons for this: 1) We were not able – pre-close – to do the work required to “harmonize” benefits between the two companies and 2) changes in benefits during the course of the year have some negative impacts for team members (new balances that must be met on co-pays & out of pocket maximums for example).  We didn’t want that to happen!  FYI – If you’ve not heard the word “harmonize” before at least in terms of benefits, you’ll hear it a great deal over the next several months, as we seek to bring the benefit programs of SFG & IPC together (or “harmonize” them).

Over the course of the next 4-6 weeks, we – IPC & SFG HR team members – will be working with Mercer (a leading global HR consulting firm) to finalize what we will be offering in 2019 (beginning in January).  Our objective?  To provide the most competitive plans we are able at a cost that is sustainable for both our team members & company.  To complete this part of the integration work, it will require both SFG & IPC team members to participate in an annual “enrollment” (much like what has already been done – in August – with SFG and is scheduled to be done with IPC in November), where eligible team members will be able to elect medical, dental, vision, life, and other coverage.  What will be the same?  Our medical plan provider, for sure; both companies currently provide coverage through United Health Care.  What will be different?  At this point, we can’t say – because the work of defining our new benefits has not been completed.

Our commitment: to provide our team members with answers to these questions prior to the annual enrollment (which is tentatively scheduled to take place in mid-November) and to provide service & cost competitive benefits to those who will take part in this transition process.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to post (so we can share the answers with others)!

Mark Berry, VP, People (HR, Safety, & Health Services)