Eligible Employees
Full-Time employees regularly working forty (40) hours or more per week are deemed eligible for benefits the first of the month following thirty (30) days of employment, upon completion of the application for coverage.
A part-time employee who averages thirty (30) hours or more per week within their new hire measurement period or any standard measurement period thereafter are deemed eligible for benefits.
Employees are eligible on the first of the month following new hire eligibility or January 1st of the next plan year following eligibility during any standard measurement period.
New Employees
Newly hired employees and dependents will be effective in PL Marketing’s benefits programs after completing the initial eligibility period.
All elections are in effect for the entire plan year and can only be changed during Open Enrollment unless you experience a family status event.
2026 New Hire Benefits Guide
2026 Full-time Benefits Overview
Benefit Enhancements for 2026
PLM remains committed to offering benefits that support your health, financial well-being, and peace of mind. We’re excited to share updates to your benefits that offer more choice, improved access, and greater value:
- Medical Plans: United Healthcare will continue to administer our medical plans. For the High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), deductibles will increase to $3,400/$6,800 in line with IRS requirements. Replacing the PPO plan, Surest features no deductible, copay-based services, and a more personalized care experience. Surest Explained in One Minute
- Prescription Coverage: We’re partnering with Optum Rx to deliver a more streamlined and cost-effective pharmacy experience, with enhanced tools and support for managing medications.
- Dental: Delta Dental is our new dental carrier, offering a broader provider network and premiums that are 8% lower than last year.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA): The amount that you can contribute to the Health Care FSA has also increased for 2026 to $3,400. The carryover amount has increased to $680.
- Health Savings Account (HSA): PL Marketing will continue to contribute to your HSA for those enrolled in the High-Deductible Health Plan: $250 annually for individual coverage and $500 annually for employee + dependent tiers. For 2026, the IRS contribution limits have increased to $4,400 for individual coverage and $8,750 for family coverage, with an additional $1,000 “catch-up” contribution available for employees age 55 and older.
Open Enrollment
What are my responsibilities during Open Enrollment?
All benefits-eligible employees must log into Workday to elect or waive coverage for 2026.
To review your current benefits:
- Log into Workday
- Select “Personal” from the sidebar
- Click “Benefits & Pay” > “Benefits” > “Benefit Elections”
How to Complete Open Enrollment in Workday
When is Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment for the 2026 plan year will begin on Tuesday, November 11th and will end on Friday, November 21st. The benefit elections made at this time will be effective 1/1/26. You will receive another email from HR once the 2026 Open Enrollment is live in Workday. You should also receive an email notification from Workday when it is time to enroll.
Important Dates
- Open Enrollment Start Date: Tuesday, November 11th, 2025
- Deadline to Enroll: Friday, November 21st, 2025
- Benefit Effective Date/Coverage Begin Date: January 1st, 2026
2026 Open Enrollment Resources
- Benefit Guide:
PLM 2026 Benefits Guide
- Open Enrollment Voiceover Presentation:
2026 Open Enrollment Presentation Slide Deck
- Videos about new medical plan option, Surest:
- Other Resources about new medical plan option, Surest.
Family Status Event / Qualifying Life Event
Within 30 days of a qualifying life event, please log into Workday to change your benefits.
In your workday profile, you will navigate to benefits > change benefits > and select the change reason that applies to your situation. From there you will walk through the process of adjusting and submitting the benefit changes.
Need help logging into Workday? See document “Logging into Workday for the first time”
What is a Qualifying Life Event? If you experience any of the scenarios below, you may be eligible to update your benefit elections mid-year:
- Marriage, divorce, or legal separation
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Commencement or termination of adoption proceedings
- Change in child’s dependent status
- Death of a dependent
- Loss or gain of other health coverage for you and/or dependents
- Change in employment status
- Change in Medicaid/Medicare eligibility for you or a dependent
- Receipt of a Qualified Medical Child Support Order
If such a change occurs, you must make the changes to your benefits within 30 days of the event date. Documentation may be required to verify your change of status.
Failure to request a change of status within 30 days of the event may result in your having to wait until the next open enrollment period to make your change. Please contact HR to make these changes.
Logging into Workday for the first time
Eligible Dependents
If you are eligible for our benefits, then your dependents are too.
In general, eligible dependents include your spouse and children up to age 26. If your child is mentally or physically disabled, coverage may continue beyond age 26 once proof of the ongoing disability is provided. Children may include natural, adopted, stepchildren and children obtained through court-appointed legal guardianship.
Note: Spousal Surcharge. If you wish to cover a working spouse that has medical benefits available to them through their employer, you will be subject to a $200 monthly surcharge.
Please complete the affidavit below and return to lindsey.irwin@kroger.com.
