At the end of your plan year, any unused pre-tax benefit funds may expire, carry over to the next year, or enter a grace period where you can continue spending them – the specific outcome depends on your benefit type and how your employer has configured the plan in adherence with IRS policies.

Important dates can be found by navigating to Accounts > Benefit > Election Summary > Dates

Please note, not all pre-tax benefits have a plan year. HSAs and most commuter benefits, for example, do not have a set plan year.

What important dates should I know?

Pre-tax benefits are regulated by the IRS, which means there are strict options for how the funds can be spent during and after the plan year. 

Once you've found the relevant dates, here's how to understand them:

• Plan year ends: This is the final day of your plan year, generally when your coverage period ends
• Last day to spend: This is your final day to make eligible new purchases using your funds
• Last day to get reimbursed: This is your final day to submit claims for eligible expenses

In some cases, you may also be allowed to roll over or carry forward any unused funds into the next plan year.

Common questions

How do I find the important dates for my benefit?

Your pre-tax benefit plan year dates and any associated deadlines can be found directly in your Benepass account by navigating to Accounts > Benefit > Election Summary > Dates

What are grace periods and run-out periods?

Benefits like FSAs can be configured with special periods that add flexibility to when you must spend funds by or submit final claims.

Grace periods allow you to continue spending funds after the plan year ends. Run-out periods give you extra time to submit receipts for expenses from the previous plan year.

What are the options for each benefit type?

Health FSAs and Limited Purpose FSAs can be configured with a grace period of up to 75 days or a roll over amount (up to an annually set limit). In both cases, your employer may opt to also include a run-out period to provide a chance to submit final claims. Unused funds exceeding the rollover limit, if applicable, are forfeit.

Dependent Care FSAs can be configured with a run-out period to give time to submit final claims, along with a grace period of up to 75 days. Funds from DCFSAs cannot be rolled over into the next year. Unused funds are forfeit after the end of the grace or run out periods.

Commuter benefits continue to roll over month to month and year to year as long as you remain employed. They do not expire at the end of the plan year.

Health Savings Accounts never expire and roll over year to year without limitation. These funds remain yours even if you leave your employer.