Pre-Tax Benefits
Flexible Benefits and Transit Expense Plan
Pre-Tax Benefits
A Smart Way to Save
Pre-tax benefits allow you to reduce your taxable income by using pre-tax dollars to pay for certain eligible expenses. This includes your State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) health and dental insurance premiums, dependent day care, out-of-pocket medical and dental costs, and qualified work-related transportation expenses. The administrator for the State's Pre-Tax benefits is Benefit Resources (BRI).
If elected, the Flexible Benefits and Transit Expense Plans can be an important part of your total benefits package because they allow you to pay for certain medical, dependent daycare, and your work-related transit expenses with pre-tax dollars. Because these contributions are deducted from your paycheck before taxes are calculated, you may end up paying less in taxes and increasing your overall take-home pay.
Eligibility
The pre-tax benefits are available to employees who are paid through the State’s Central Payroll. Employees of other organizations participating in SEGIP, paid through independent payroll systems, may have similar benefits (ask your Human Resources office about the availability of pre-tax benefits).
Pre-Tax Overview Video
Learn more about these benefits below and on Benefit Resource's website.
Plan Information
Medical/Dental Expense Account (MDEA)
The Medical/Dental Expense Account (MDEA) allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses for yourself, your spouse, and your eligible dependents. This can help reduce your taxable income and increase your take-home pay.
Key Details:
- Eligible Expenses: Includes medical and dental plan deductibles, co-insurance, and other qualified out-of-pocket costs.
- Ineligible Expenses: Insurance premiums cannot be reimbursed through the MDEA.
- Contribution Limits (2025):
- Minimum: $100
- Maximum: $3,300
- Carryover Option: Unused funds up to the federally allowed limit may carry over to the next plan year if:
- You contribute the full amount of your current year election, and
- You make a new election during Open Enrollment.
- Funds above the carryover limit that are not claimed on time will be forfeited.
- Mid-Year Changes: Changes to your pre-tax benefit election are only permitted if you experience a qualifying life event. Any changes must be requested within 30 days of the event date to be considered valid.
- Annual Election Required: You must re-enroll each year during Open Enrollment for each
plan in which you wish to participate.
For more information or help managing your account, visit the Benefit Resource (BRI) landing page.
Dependent Care (Daycare) Expense Account (DCEA)
The Dependent Care Expense Account (DCEA) allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible dependent care expenses, helping reduce your taxable income while covering necessary day care costs.
Key Details:
- Eligible Expenses: Covers dependent care (day care) expenses incurred while you are working or actively looking for work.
- Ineligible Expenses: This account cannot be used for your dependent’s medical or healthcare expenses.
- Eligible Dependents:
- Children under the age of 13
- A disabled spouse or other disabled dependent who requires adult day care
- Dependents must reside in your home during the time care is provided
- Contribution Limits (2025):
- Minimum: $100
- Maximum: $5,000 per household
- Special rules may apply based on your tax filing status—consult a tax advisor to avoid potential tax implications.
- Reimbursement Timing: Funds are available for reimbursement only after they have been deducted from your paycheck and deposited into your account.
- Use-It-or-Lose-It Rule: Any unused funds remaining at the end of the plan year are forfeited.
- Mid-Year Changes: Changes to your election are only allowed if you experience a qualifying life event, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.
- Annual Election Required: You must re-enroll each year during Open Enrollment for each
plan in which you wish to participate.
For more information or help managing your account, visit the Benefit Resource (BRI) landing page.
Transit Expense Account - Parking (PKEA)
Transit Expense Accounts (TEA) allow you to pay for eligible commuting costs using pre-tax dollars, helping you save money on work-related transportation expenses. There are two types of Transit Expense Accounts: Bus Pass/Vanpool Expense Account (BVEA) and Parking Expense Account (PKEA).
Parking Expense Account (PKEA):
The PKEA allows you to be reimbursed for qualified work-related parking expenses, including vehicle and bicycle parking. Funds are available for reimbursement only after they have been deducted from your paycheck and deposited into your account.
Important Notes:
- This does NOT cover parking on University campus.
- Expenses already paid through pre-tax payroll deductions are not eligible for reimbursement.
- PKEA funds can only be used for parking expenses—not for transit, bus, or vanpool costs.
- Reimbursement requests must be submitted within 180 days of the date of service or payment, and before the plan year filing deadline.
If you are already enrolled in an agency-provided, payroll-deducted parking or transit program, you should not enroll in a PKEA or BVEA unless you have additional out-of-pocket expenses not covered by that program.
Additional TEA Details:
- Annual Election: You must choose your election amount each year.
- Minimum Election: $50 per plan year.
- Maximum Monthly Reimbursement (2025): $325, totaling up to $3,900 annually.
- Election Changes: You may adjust your election throughout the year on a prospective basis. However, it cannot be reduced below the $50 annual minimum.
- Rollover Feature: Unused funds may roll over to the next plan year if you elect at least the $50 minimum for the new year before the plan year begins. If no election is made, unused funds will be forfeited.
- Reimbursement Deadline: Expenses must be submitted within 180 days of the date of service or payment, and no later than the plan year filing deadline.
For more information or help managing your account, visit the Benefit Resource (BRI) landing page.
Transit Expense Account - Bus Pass / Vanpool (BVEA)
Transit Expense Accounts (TEA) allow you to pay for eligible commuting costs using pre-tax dollars, helping you save money on work-related transportation expenses. There are two types of Transit Expense Accounts: Bus Pass/Vanpool Expense Account (BVEA) and Parking Expense Account (PKEA).
Bus Pass/Vanpool Expense Account (BVEA):
The BVEA is designed to reimburse you for eligible mass transit and vanpool commuting expenses. Like the PKEA, funds become available for reimbursement after payroll contributions are made.
Important Notes:
- Expenses already paid through pre-tax payroll deductions are not eligible for reimbursement.
- BVEA funds can only be used for bus, light rail, and vanpool expenses—not for parking.
- Reimbursement requests must be submitted within 180 days of the date of service or payment, and before the plan year filing deadline.
If you are already enrolled in an agency-provided, payroll-deducted parking or transit program, you should not enroll in a PKEA or BVEA unless you have additional out-of-pocket expenses not covered by that program.
Additional TEA Details:
- Annual Election: You must choose your election amount each year.
- Minimum Election: $50 per plan year.
- Maximum Monthly Reimbursement (2025): $325, totaling up to $3,900 annually.
- Election Changes: You may adjust your election throughout the year on a prospective basis. However, it cannot be reduced below the $50 annual minimum.
- Rollover Feature: Unused funds may roll over to the next plan year if you elect at least the $50 minimum for the new year before the plan year begins. If no election is made, unused funds will be forfeited.
- Reimbursement Deadline: Expenses must be submitted within 180 days of the date of service or payment, and no later than the plan year filing deadline.
For more information or help managing your account, visit the Benefit Resource (BRI) landing page.
Accessing Your Funds / Beniversal Card
Accessing Your Account Funds
Beniversal® Prepaid Mastercard®
Previous Participants enrolled in a 2024 Medical/Dental Expense Account (MDEA), Transit Expense Account (TEA), or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) may continue using their existing Beniversal® Prepaid Mastercard® in 2025.
New participants will automatically receive two Beniversal® cards by mail in a plain white envelope. Once received, follow the enclosed instructions to activate your card.
After activation, your card can be used to pay for eligible expenses directly from your:
- Medical/Dental Expense Account (MDEA)
- Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
- Transit Expense Account (TEA)
For added convenience, you can enable your Beniversal® card for contactless payments through digital wallets such as Apple Pay®, Google Pay®, and Samsung Pay®. This allows you to make secure, mobile payments at qualified healthcare and commuting locations directly from your smartphone.
Beniversal Card Reminders:
To ensure smooth access to your pre-tax benefit funds, please keep the following in mind when using your Beniversal® Prepaid Mastercard®
-
Account Inactivity During Leave or Separation:
If you begin an unpaid leave of absence, are laid off, or separate from employment, your debit card and account will become inactive. To maintain access, you must elect to continue participation and pay the required monthly contributions. -
Alternative Reimbursement Options:
If you are unable to use your debit card, you may request reimbursement through the mobile app, online portal, or by submitting a paper reimbursement form.
Note: Mass transit expenses must be paid using the debit card and are not eligible for manual reimbursement.
Submitting A Claim for Reimbursement:
If you are not using the Beniversal® Prepaid Mastercard®—or if you are submitting expenses for Dependent Care (day care)—you can request reimbursement by submitting a claim along with an itemized receipt or appropriate supporting documentation.
You have three convenient options to submit your claim:
- Online at BRIWEB
- Through BRIMOBILE
- By mailing a CLAIM FORM
For step-by-step guidance and helpful tips, visit the Claims Best Practices resource page on the Benefit Resource website.
Additional Account Tools
Tools to Manage Your Account
💻 BRIWEB Online Portal
Access your account anytime through the BRIWEB portal and click the "LOGIN TO BRIWEB" button toward the middle right of the page.
If you're a new participant or haven't accessed your account online before, click “Register an Account.”
To complete registration, you'll need:
- Company Code: Minnesota
- Member ID/Registration ID: Employee ID + last 4 digits of your SSN
- Access to an email or phone number to complete the registration process
What You Can Do on BRIWEB
- Submit claims and upload receipts
- View account balances, transactions, and claim history
- Update your profile (login info, contact details, direct deposit, card activation)
- Sign up for real-time alerts via text or email
- Download forms, plan documents, and educational resources
📱 BRIMOBILE App: Manage Your Benefits On the Go
Stay connected to your benefits anytime, anywhere with the BRIMOBILE app—available for both Apple and Android devices in your app store. This secure and easy-to-use app gives you instant access to your account and a variety of helpful tools.
With BRIMOBILE, you can:
- Scan and search for eligible items
- View current and prior year account balances
- Review recent card transactions
- Submit and track claims
- Upload receipts directly from your device
- Sign up for real-time notifications and alerts
To get started, visit your device’s app store and search for BRIMOBILE.
Note: You must first register on BRIWEB to receive your Login ID and Password before using the app.
🔔 BRIALERTS: Stay Informed in Real Time
Stay up to date with real-time notifications about your account activity. You can choose to receive alerts via text message or email, giving you instant insight into your benefit account status—anytime, anywhere.
You can sign up for alerts through BRIWEB or the BRIMOBILE app.
Available alert types include:
- Card Denials – Get notified if a transaction is declined
- Card Deposits – Know when funds are added to your account
- Card Purchases – Track spending as it happens
- Claims Payment Activity – Receive updates when claims are processed
- Monthly Balance Summary – Stay on top of your account with a monthly snapshot
Take control of your benefits with timely updates that help you manage your funds more effectively.
For more information or help managing your account, visit the Benefit Resource (BRI) landing page.