2024 IRS Form 1095-C is now available

The IRS requires employers to report annually if an eligible employee had health insurance coverage on the Form 1095-C.  This form includes information about whether employees were offered health coverage by the Nebraska State College System and during which months. The IRS does not require a copy of the 1095-C form to complete tax returns.

The Paperwork Burden Reduction Act, signed into law on December 23, 2024, amended the requirement for employers to mail a paper copy of the form to eligible employees. With this new legislation, paper forms will no longer be mailed to employee home addresses unless requested by the employee.

Forms are also available online in Firefly ESS. To access the online copy of your 1095-C form:

1. Log into Firefly (firefly.nebraska.edu)  
2. Click on the Employee Self Service tile
3. Click on the 1095-C ACA Form tile
4. Click on the Tax Reporting Year at the top of the screen and select the year from the drop-down list.
5. If printing, click the "Open as PDF" button at the bottom right corner of the screen. 

Hints:

• An installed, updated version of Adobe Reader is necessary to view the 1095-C. To check for available updates, open Adobe Reader and select Help > Check for Updates. Please restart the computer after any updates are applied.

If employees would like a paper copy of their 1095-C form, please contact Human Resources.
 

2025-2026 Benefits

Health and Dental Insurance 

•   Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Nebraska https://www.nebraskablue.com/ 
•   Educators Health Alliance http://www.ehaplan.org/ 

Eligible employees may select from two BCBS plan options with coverage beginning the first of the month after employment starts.  Employees who begin working on the first day of the month may begin benefits immediately.  Employees must enroll in both health and dental plan coverage or may opt out of coverage. The employer pays 85% of the premium cost of the Employee plan and 75% of all other plans (Employee & Spouse, Employee & Child(ren), Family).  If both members of a married couple are employed by the NSCS, each employee will pay an Employee plan premium.  Note that deductible doubles for plans above Employee coverage  

$650 deductible  
View Summary of Benefits and Coverage
PPO (Preferred Provider) Health Plan includes copays prior to meeting deductible.

PPO Health Plan $650 Deductible*	Employee Monthly Cost	Employer Monthly Cost	Total Monthly Cost
Employee	$136.54	$773.74	$910.28
Employee & Spouse	$477.89	$1,433.68	$1,911.57
Employee & Child(ren)	$421.01	$1,263.01	$1,684.02
Family	$641.69	$1,925.06	$2,566.75

*Rates effective September 1, 2025.

$3800 deductible with HRA  
View Summary of Benefits and Coverage

HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan) includes monthly employer contribution to HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement) plan: $62.50/month for Employee Plan or $125/month for All Other Plans.  This plan does not offer any medical or prescription copays.  Copays and Coinsurance apply only after the deductible has been met. 

PPO High Deductible Health Plan  $3,800 Deductible*	Employee Monthly Cost	Employer Monthly Cost	Total Monthly Cost
Employee	$109.23	$618.98	$728.21
Employee & Spouse	$382.32	$1,146.96	$1,529.28
Employee & Child(ren)	$336.81	$1,010.42	$1,348.23
Family	$513.36	$1,540.06	$2,053.42

*Rates effective September 1, 2025.  

Dental Plan 
View Summary of Benefits and Coverage

The Dental PPO plan includes two oral exams/cleanings each calendar year with no deductible.  Maintenance and Restorative services require $25 deductible for individual ($50 family).  Orthodontic services are not covered.    

Dental Plan  Option 5 - PPO 100%*	Employee Monthly Cost	Employer Monthly Cost	Total Monthly Cost
Employee	$9.36	$53.05	$62.41
Employee & Spouse	$32.77	$98.32	$131.09
Employee & Child(ren)	$28.87	$86.61	$115.48
Family	$44.02	$132.04	$176.06

*Rates effective September 1, 2025. 

Vision Insurance – Ameritas-VSP

https://www.vsp.com  

The vision insurance program is an optional benefit that provides coverage for eye exams, lenses, frames and contact lenses (deductibles and co-pays apply) using the VSP Network.  The employer pays 50% of the Employee plan cost for the plan coverage level selected.

Vision Insurance*	Employee Monthly Cost	Employer Monthly Cost	Total Monthly Cost
Employee	$4.08	$4.08	$8.16
Employee & Spouse	$13.56	$4.08	$17.64
Employee & Child(ren)	$10.16	$4.08	$14.24
Family	$19.64	$4.08	$23.72

*Rates effective September 1, 2021

Flexible Spending Accounts – ASI Flex 

View Flexible Spending Accounts Open Enrollment Video

http://www.asiflex.com/ 
This optional benefit allows employees to pay eligible out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses using pre-tax dollars.  Per IRS regulations, employees must “use or lose” the amount contributed to this account each plan year (September 1 – August 31) and cannot roll it into the next plan year.  The annual contribution limits are $3,300 for the health care flexible spending account and $5,000 if married filing joint income tax returns or filing single as head of household ($2,500 if married and filing separate income tax returns) for the dependent care flexible spending account.

Life Insurance – Madison National Life 

http://www.madisonlife.com/
Eligible employees are provided $30,000 group term life insurance coverage at no cost to the employee.  Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and dependents.  Eligible coverage for children begins at 6 months of age to age 26. Coverage for children age 14 days to 6 months is $400. Benefits and premiums are reduced by 50% at 70 years of age. Eligibility of Insurance review may apply. 

Employee Life Insurance	Employee Monthly Cost	Dependent Life Insurance	Employee Monthly Cost
$10,000	$3.25	Option 1: $2,000 spouse/ $2,000 child	$0.80
$20,000	$6.50	Option 2: $10,000 spouse/ $5,000 child	$3.25
$50,000	$16.25
$100,000	$32.50
$180,000	$58.50

Long Term Disability Insurance – Madison National Life 

http://www.madisonlife.com/

Eligible employees are provided group long-term disability insurance coverage which offers 66 2/3% of salary after 90 days of continuous disability as defined by the insurance carrier.  The employer pays 75% of the premium for this required benefit plan and the employee pays 25%.  The premium is based on 00.26% of the employee’s base monthly salary.  Disability benefits may be co-shared with Social Security and other benefit resources.   

Retirement – TIAA 

https://www.tiaa.org/public/tcm/nscs

Employees contribute 6% of their gross salary on a pre-tax basis and the employer contributes 8% of the employee’s gross salary to the primary retirement account administered by TIAA.  Contributions are fully vested in the plan immediately.  Employees who are age 30 or above are required to participate.  Voluntary participation is available to employees who have two years of service and are 25 years of age.  Additional retirement contributions may be made through a secondary retirement plan (no employer match). 

Types of Leave Available

Employees are eligible for a variety of leave types which are dependent upon their classification and applicable negotiated agreement or Board Policy.  Types of leave may include vacation, sick, holiday, and/or bereavement.  Refer to the applicable negotiated agreement or Board Policy for specific details.

Tuition Waivers

Eligible employees may take one course each semester for a tuition cost of $1.00 plus applicable fees.  Spouses and dependent children of eligible employees are allowed a 67% tuition only waiver (taxes apply to graduate courses).  Refer to applicable negotiated agreements or Board Policy for additional rules and information.

Employee Assistance Program – Continuum EAP 

http://www.4continuum.com/
Employees and their dependent family members are provided a variety of free and confidential EAP services which may include counseling, work/life resources, wellness coaching, and legal and financial services.

Negotiated Agreements

View agreements
More information about the negotiated agreements is available on the NSCS website. 

Payroll Information

Full-time employees are paid on a monthly basis on the last working day of the month through direct deposit.       

 

Wellness Program

https://www.ehawellness.org/
Employees may participate in the wellness plan offered through the Educators Health Alliance at no cost.  The EHA Wellness plan provides employees opportunities and incentives to improve and manage their health.   

2024-2025 Benefits

Health and Dental Insurance 

•   Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Nebraska https://www.nebraskablue.com/ 
•   Educators Health Alliance http://www.ehaplan.org/ 

Eligible employees may select from two BCBS plan options with coverage beginning the first of the month after employment starts.  Employees who begin working on the first day of the month may begin benefits immediately.  Employees must enroll in both health and dental plan coverage or may opt out of coverage. The employer pays 85% of the premium cost of the Employee plan and 75% of all other plans (Employee & Spouse, Employee & Child(ren), Family).  If both members of a married couple are employed by the NSCS, each employee will pay an Employee plan premium.  Note that deductible doubles for plans above Employee coverage  

$650 deductible  
View Summary of Benefits and Coverage
PPO (Preferred Provider) Health Plan includes copays prior to meeting deductible.

PPO Health Plan $650 Deductible*	Employee Monthly Cost	Employer Monthly Cost	Total Monthly Cost
Employee	$129.44	$733.47	$862.91
Employee & Spouse	$453.02	$1,359.07	$1,812.09
Employee & Child(ren)	$399.09	$1,197.29	$1,596.38
Family	$608.29	$1,824.88	$2,433.17

*Rates effective September 1, 2024.

$3800 deductible with HRA  
View Summary of Benefits and Coverage

HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan) includes monthly employer contribution to HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement) plan: $62.50/month for Employee Plan or $125/month for All Other Plans.  This plan does not offer any medical or prescription copays.  Copays and Coinsurance apply only after the deductible has been met. 

PPO High Deductible Health Plan  $3,800 Deductible*	Employee Monthly Cost	Employer Monthly Cost	Total Monthly Cost
Employee	$103.55	$586.76	$690.31
Employee & Spouse	$362.42	$1,087.27	$1,449.69
Employee & Child(ren)	$319.28	$957.84	$1,277.12
Family	$486.64	$1,459.91	$1,946.55

*Rates effective September 1, 2024.  

Dental Plan 
View Summary of Benefits and Coverage

The Dental PPO plan includes two oral exams/cleanings each calendar year with no deductible.  Maintenance and Restorative services require $25 deductible for individual ($50 family).  Orthodontic services are not covered.    

Dental Plan  Option 5 - PPO 100%*	Employee Monthly Cost	Employer Monthly Cost	Total Monthly Cost
Employee	$8.87	$50.29	$59.16
Employee & Spouse	$31.07	$93.20	$124.27
Employee & Child(ren)	$27.37	$82.10	$109.47
Family	$41.72	$125.18	$166.90

*Rates effective September 1, 2024. 

Vision Insurance – Ameritas-VSP

https://www.vsp.com  

The vision insurance program is an optional benefit that provides coverage for eye exams, lenses, frames and contact lenses (deductibles and co-pays apply) using the VSP Network.  The employer pays 50% of the Employee plan cost for the plan coverage level selected.

Vision Insurance*	Employee Monthly Cost	Employer Monthly Cost	Total Monthly Cost
Employee	$4.08	$4.08	$8.16
Employee & Spouse	$13.56	$4.08	$17.64
Employee & Child(ren)	$10.16	$4.08	$14.24
Family	$19.64	$4.08	$23.72

*Rates effective September 1, 2021

Flexible Spending Accounts – ASI Flex 

View Flexible Spending Accounts Open Enrollment Video

http://www.asiflex.com/ 
This optional benefit allows employees to pay eligible out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses using pre-tax dollars.  Per IRS regulations, employees must “use or lose” the amount contributed to this account each plan year (September 1 – August 31) and cannot roll it into the next plan year.  The annual contribution limits are $3,200 for the health care flexible spending account and $5,000 if married filing joint income tax returns or filing single as head of household ($2,500 if married and filing separate income tax returns) for the dependent care flexible spending account.

Life Insurance – Madison National Life 

http://www.madisonlife.com/
Eligible employees are provided $30,000 group term life insurance coverage at no cost to the employee.  Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and dependents.  Eligible coverage for children begins at 6 months of age to age 26. Coverage for children age 14 days to 6 months is $400. Benefits and premiums are reduced by 50% at 70 years of age. Eligibility of Insurance review may apply. 

Employee Life Insurance	Employee Monthly Cost	Dependent Life Insurance	Employee Monthly Cost
$10,000	$3.25	Option 1: $2,000 spouse/ $2,000 child	$0.80
$20,000	$6.50	Option 2: $10,000 spouse/ $5,000 child	$3.25
$50,000	$16.25
$100,000	$32.50
$180,000	$58.50

Long Term Disability Insurance – Madison National Life 

http://www.madisonlife.com/

Eligible employees are provided group long-term disability insurance coverage which offers 66 2/3% of salary after 90 days of continuous disability as defined by the insurance carrier.  The employer pays 75% of the premium for this required benefit plan and the employee pays 25%.  The premium is based on 00.27% of the employee’s base monthly salary.  Disability benefits may be co-shared with Social Security and other benefit resources.   

Retirement – TIAA 

https://www.tiaa.org/public/tcm/nscs

Employees contribute 6% of their gross salary on a pre-tax basis and the employer contributes 8% of the employee’s gross salary to the primary retirement account administered by TIAA.  Contributions are fully vested in the plan immediately.  Employees who are age 30 or above are required to participate.  Voluntary participation is available to employees who have two years of service and are 25 years of age.  Additional retirement contributions may be made through a secondary retirement plan (no employer match). 

Types of Leave Available

Employees are eligible for a variety of leave types which are dependent upon their classification and applicable negotiated agreement or Board Policy.  Types of leave may include vacation, sick, holiday, and/or bereavement.  Refer to the applicable negotiated agreement or Board Policy for specific details.

Tuition Waivers

Eligible employees may take one course each semester for a tuition cost of $1.00 plus applicable fees.  Spouses and dependent children of eligible employees are allowed a 67% tuition only waiver (taxes apply to graduate courses).  Refer to applicable negotiated agreements or Board Policy for additional rules and information.

Employee Assistance Program – Continuum EAP 

http://www.4continuum.com/
Employees and their dependent family members are provided a variety of free and confidential EAP services which may include counseling, work/life resources, wellness coaching, and legal and financial services.

Negotiated Agreements

View agreements
More information about the negotiated agreements is available on the NSCS website. 

Payroll Information

Full-time employees are paid on a monthly basis on the last working day of the month through direct deposit.       

 

Wellness Program

https://www.ehawellness.org/
Employees may participate in the wellness plan offered through the Educators Health Alliance at no cost.  The EHA Wellness plan provides employees opportunities and incentives to improve and manage their health.