What you need to know
No matter where life takes you, your benefits can support you along the way. BAE Systems offers a range of benefit options designed to address the diverse needs of you and your family throughout your career with us. Annual Enrollment is your opportunity to review all your benefits – not just medical – and make changes for 2025.
Don’t miss your opportunity to choose your 2025 benefits!
During Annual Enrollment, explore your medical coverage and other benefit options to ensure that you will be enrolled in benefits that will fit you best in 2025.
Is it time to shift gears? No single medical plan can be the right one for everyone every year. And your other benefit options may need to be updated too, especially if you’re anticipating a health event like elective surgery or the adoption or birth of a child in 2025.
Actively choose your benefits – it only takes a few minutes. Your current plan may not be the best fit for you next year. But even if it is, it’s smart to step through the enrollment process and actively submit all your benefit elections. You can go back and change your mind as often as you like throughout Annual Enrollment, so don’t wait until the last minute.
If you don’t take action, you will default to the same benefits you have now, with the exception of any Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). If you want to contribute to a Health Care and/or a Dependent Care FSA and take advantage of their pretax savings, you must elect to participate each year. Note that you do not have to enroll in any of our health plans to participate in these tax-advantaged accounts.
Keep in mind that you can’t make changes to your benefits during a calendar year unless you experience a qualified life event, such as getting married or welcoming a child to your family.
Pause in your journey to ensure your medical plan still fits your needs
Even though our medical, dental, and vision plans aren’t changing for 2025, it’s smart to review your health care benefit options each year to stay on track.
When choosing a medical plan, be sure to consider your family and their health care needs, how much each of your plan options pays for services and prescription medications, and how much you pay from each paycheck in premiums for your coverage.
These questions can help you assess your medical plan options:
- Have you had changes, or do you expect changes in your family for 2025?
- Do you typically take advantage of preventive care services each year and not much else?
- Do you typically need more care from specialists or take specialty medications?
- Are you planning an upcoming surgery?
- Do you prefer paying lower premiums each paycheck, knowing that you will pay more out of pocket when you need non-preventive care services?
- Do you prefer paying higher premiums so that you’ll have more predictable copays or out-of-pocket costs when you need medical care?
Important!
Remember, all our medical plans cover preventive care services at no cost to you and provide comprehensive coverage.
During Annual Enrollment, compare your medical plan options using the Medical Plan Evaluator on BenefitsNavigator. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you use this tool:
- The Medical Plan Evaluator will reflect your 2023 medical plan usage (if you were enrolled in a BAE Systems medical plan for the full year). If you joined BAE Systems during the year, you’ll need to customize your 2025 forecast with your estimated needs and costs.
- If you have claims data preloaded, run the tool before making adjustments to see an initial view of your plan option costs and rankings.
- Look ahead and consider how your medical needs may change for 2025. Are you expecting a baby or planning elective surgery, such as a knee replacement?
- Next, model your expected medical plan usage for 2025 to help determine which medical plan can best meet your upcoming needs.
The Medical Plan Evaluator tool is only available during Annual Enrollment.
Virtual ID Cards in 2025
If you choose to enroll in a Cigna medical plan, ID cards will not be issued in 2025. You can always access a virtual ID card at myCigna by clicking ID cards in the top right corner. You can download your ID card and save it in your Apple or android wallet to conveniently reference at doctor’s appointments.
Our disabled dependent coverage will expand beginning in 2025
We are pleased to be expanding our offerings for employees who have disabled dependents. If you have a dependent who was deemed totally and permanently disabled prior to age 26, you may add them to your benefit coverage during Annual Enrollment for your 2025 benefits. This applies to all employees who are eligible for our benefits. For more information, contact the Benefit Center 1 888 900 4223.
NEW: Virtual physical therapy through Hinge Health
If you enroll in a national Cigna medical plan for 2025, you and your covered dependents age 18 and older can access free virtual physical therapy through Hinge Health.
Back, joint, and muscle care
With the Hinge Health app, you can get treatment at no cost to you, whenever you need it. Once you complete your application, you’ll have access to an exercise-based physical therapy program with dedicated one-on-one support to keep you moving!
Hinge Health can help with:
- Reducing pain or improving mobility
- Recovering from an injury
- Preparing for and recovering from surgery
- Staying healthy and pain free
Pelvic health support
The Hinge Health Pelvic Health Program offers support for these unique musculoskeletal needs through virtual physical therapy. The program addresses all stages of life, including pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.
Once you join Hinge Health, you’ll work with a specialized care team, including a physical therapist, a women’s health coach, and, if needed, a urogynecologist to meet your goals. They’ll develop a personalized exercise plan for you, making any necessary changes over the course of your treatment.
These benefits launch on January 1, 2025, but you can join the wait list today by visiting Hinge Health.
Savings and spending account contribution limits are increasing
Health Savings Account (HSA)
The IRS has increased the amount you can contribute to an HSA for 2025. This means that if you enroll in HSA Primary or HSA Plus, you can contribute more to your account in 2025. And, if you are or will be age 55 in 2025, you can contribute an additional $1,000 next year.
Take a few minutes to learn more about the many benefits of an HSA.
If you are enrolled in HSA Primary or HSA Plus, here’s how the math works for 2025:
| Individual coverage | Family coverage | |
|---|---|---|
| Your 2025 maximum contributions (based on annual IRS maximums) | Under age 55: $4,300 Age 55+: $5,300 | Under age 55: $8,550 Age 55+: $9,550 |
HSA contributions and earnings are not subject to federal taxes; however, a few states treat the contributions as taxable income. Those employees residing in California and New Jersey will have applicable state taxes withheld from their contributions each pay period.
Note: If you are married and your spouse is also enrolled in an HSA, your combined HSA contributions may not exceed IRS limits.
Although your HSA contribution elections will remain in effect until you change them, you may want to update your election for 2025 to take advantage of the higher limit next year.
Can you have an HSA and an FSA at the same time?
Yes. If you are enrolled in the HSA Primary or HSA Plus, you can have an HSA for eligible medical expenses and also participate in a Limited Purpose FSA to help you pay for eligible dental and vision services. Under IRS rules, when you have an HSA and a Limited Purpose FSA, your medical and prescription drug expenses cannot be reimbursed from your Limited Purpose FSA.
Learn more by reviewing the comparison chart for HSAs and FSAs.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Contribute up to $3,200 in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account in 2025. Plan carefully, because FSAs are use-it-or-lose-it accounts, and restrictions may apply depending on your medical plan. You must spend your FSA dollars by December 31, 2025, and you will have until April 30, 2026, to submit your 2025 claims for reimbursement.
Be thoughtful about the dependent care you and your family will need next year. If it makes sense for your family, you may contribute up to $5,000 to your Dependent Care FSA ($2,500 if your spouse or domestic partner contributes to one as well). Please note that if your compensation is $155,000 or more, your 2025 contributions will be limited to $2,000.
Remember, FSA contributions do not carry over and must be elected during Annual Enrollment each year if you want to participate.
Prepare for life’s bumps along the way with voluntary supplemental benefits
Your medical plan insurance is your primary source for comprehensive coverage for the care you need to stay healthy or to treat an injury or illness. But, when you’re sick or injured, you may also need help with other expenses, like child care, groceries, or transportation. That’s where voluntary supplemental benefits can make a big difference. You can enroll in voluntary supplemental plans only during Annual Enrollment or if you have a qualified life event during the year.
Important: Voluntary supplemental coverage is not medical insurance
These supplemental benefits are 100% employee-paid plans. They provide financial assistance that can help with miscellaneous expenses, but you will still need medical insurance to pay for the majority of your health care.
Keep loved ones protected with the right amount of life insurance
How much is enough? Your life insurance needs can change over time as your life and family situation changes. Visit The Hartford microsite for a life insurance needs calculator, as well as other life insurance resources that can help you determine what’s right for yourself and your family.
Do you need to add more coverage? Our plans allow you to elect Supplemental Employee Life Insurance, but you may need to complete the Evidence of Insurability (EOI) questionnaire and be approved before a higher coverage amount may become effective.
Don’t forget to review your beneficiary details
Many of our benefit plans offer a payout to your loved ones in the event of your death. But you must have your beneficiary details on file in advance for the benefits to be distributed according to your wishes.
Annual Enrollment is a great time to review and update your beneficiaries for your life and other insurance benefits, any HSA balance, as well as your 401(k) Savings Plan account.
For some benefits, you can designate beneficiaries as you complete the enrollment process.
How to update your beneficiaries for these benefits at any time:
Life insurance
Life insurance
On BenefitsNavigator, select the Health & Insurance menu entry at the top, and a Health & Insurance Summary page will load. Under the Take Action menu, click on Manage Beneficiaries to view your Beneficiary Summary, and use the buttons to update your beneficiaries.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Health Savings Account (HSA)
If you have an HSA today, from the BenefitsNavigator homepage, select Reimbursement Accounts in the top menu. In the Health Savings Account summary section, click on manage your account. Once this page loads, scroll down to the Health Savings Account Summary section and click on View Beneficiaries. From this page, you can add or update your HSA beneficiaries.
If you will be new to a BAE Systems HSA plan next year, an account will be opened for you. Once your account has been opened, you can designate your beneficiary(ies).
401(k) Savings Plan
401(k) Savings Plan
Visit the MyRetirement website to update your beneficiaries and your 401(k) contribution rate, and review your investment strategy.
Looking ahead: Be sure to keep your beneficiaries up to date, particularly if you experience a significant life event such as a divorce, birth of a child, or death of a loved one. It only takes a few minutes to get peace of mind that your wishes will be followed if the unthinkable happens.
Your Annual Enrollment checklist
November 6 – 20: Enroll in the benefits that are best for you on BenefitsNavigator. Enrollment is available 24/7 beginning November 6.
Compare your medical coverage options, so you’re ready to elect the best plan for you and your family once Annual Enrollment opens. The Medical Plan Evaluator will reflect your 2023 medical plan usage (if you were enrolled in a BAE Systems medical plan for the full year). Model your future medical plan usage for 2025 to help you determine which medical plan can best meet your needs.
Enroll in your benefits for 2025
- Enroll in your medical plan or waive medical coverage for next year.
- If you enroll in HSA Primary or HSA Plus, consider enrolling in a Health Savings Account (HSA) or increasing your HSA contribution amount, given the increased limits for 2025. If you’re already enrolled and do nothing, your contribution election from 2024 will carry over to 2025.
- Once your account is open, make sure you designate a beneficiary for your HSA balance.
- Enroll or re-enroll in a Health Care and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account. As a reminder, these contribution elections do not carry over from year to year.
- If you elect HSA Primary or HSA Plus, you may be eligible for a Limited Purpose FSA for dental and vision expenses.
- Consider the voluntary supplemental benefits that can provide extra financial protection, and decide whether one or more of these plans are a good fit for you. Note that these are voluntary options completely paid by you, and there is no requirement for you to enroll in them.
- Review and, if necessary, update your life insurance coverage and beneficiaries.
- Review and consider your needs for legal coverage, because Annual Enrollment is your only opportunity to elect or drop this coverage.
- Review your enrollment confirmation for accuracy, and keep a copy for your records.
Annual Enrollment ends at 11:59 p.m. Central time on Wednesday, November 20.
Questions?
From 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, chat with a benefits representative while you’re using BenefitsNavigator or call the BAE Systems Benefit Center at 1 888 900 4223.
Si usted necesita información en español, por favor llame a la Benefit Center a 1 888 900 4223.
Important! For those whose benefits are governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA): As provided by your CBA, certain benefits may differ from those described on the Benefits website, so some benefits and provisions may not apply to you.