T.S. Eliot, poet
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Author: Walter Franks
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Kudos to you!
KUDOS TO YOU!
DECEMBER 2023
Thanks for a great year
It’s hard to believe another year is ending. But what a year it has been! Your dedication, resilience and unique talents played a major role in Costco’s success. We’re grateful for all that you do.
Another thing we appreciate — your commitment to your emotional, financial and physical well-being. Over 100,000 of you took the We’re in This Together pledge this year, and many of your spouses and domestic partners joined in, too. An increasing number of you used Resources For Living® to support your mental health. And in one month alone, your enrollment in Omada for Joint & Muscle Health nearly tripled — a sign that you know the value of keeping your body healthy.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
What will you celebrate?
Next year is full of opportunities to make changes for the better. You can start by pledging to continue to work toward your emotional, financial and physical well-being goals, beginning in January, 2024.
If you enrolled in the quarterly Well-being Challenges this year, thanks for participating. Challenge #4, our final challenge of 2024, focuses on your emotional, financial and physical welll-being. Why not give it a try? The challenges are a great way to take small steps toward your larger goals and celebrate your progress.
As always, your well-being portal will be full of news and information about a variety of health topics each month to support you emotionally, financially and physically. Check back often so you don’t miss a thing.
A year of Your Stories
Our 2023 podcast series featured inspiring stories from four of your co-workers. Each shared their well-being struggles and highlighted the important role Costco benefits played in their journey to better health. This month, Costco employee Reese Schmelling tells his story and how the Live Healthy Team* played a critical role in his recovery.
You can listen to all four podcasts now. Their stories might help you in your own well-being journey.
Costco continues to be committed to prioritizing the health and well-being of our employees. That’s why we work hard to provide you and your family with valuable and affordable benefits to help you receive quality care whenever needed.
We want you to be familiar with these benefits and resources so that you can get the most out of them. And the best way to do that is by participating in the We’re in This Together pledge. By participating, you’ll receive information specific to your needs.
Thank you for the important role you play in making Costco a great company. And best wishes to you and your family for a healthy 2024!
Craig Jelinek,
CEO
Ron Vachris,
President
*Available on the Mainland only.
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Take action
LEARN MORE
DECEMBER 2023
Well-being toolkit
By learning about and using your Costco benefits this past year, you’ve worked hard to improve emotional, financial and physical well-being for you and your family. Studies show that higher levels of well-being are associated with a lower risk of disease and injury, better immune function, increased longevity, heightened personal development and greater social connectedness. This well-being toolkit will help you keep up the good work you started.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
How to use your toolkit
Your well-being toolkit provides simple ideas to help you live healthier, improve your quality of life and realize your full potential. To get started, choose the aspect of your emotional, financial or physical well-being you’d like to work on, and then try one or more of the suggested activities. Use the toolkit whenever you need support to be your best self.
Keep the well-being toolkit as a handy checklist to use anywhere, at any time.
Take an emotional breather
Build resilience
- Create a list of things you’re grateful for, such as a great friend or warm cup of coffee.
- Look at a difficult situation from different angles to find another solution.
- Go to a park or greenspace and soak up nature.
Strengthen connections
- Spend time with your kids, friends or family members doing something you all enjoy.
- Ask for help when you’re tired or overwhelmed.
- Volunteer for causes you care about in your community.
Be mindful
- Take slow, deep breaths through your nose and out through your mouth.
- Go on a stroll and engage all your senses.
- Do a mental scan of your body to feel more connected to your physical and emotional self.
Take a financial time-out
Know where you stand
- Track your spending to see where your money is going.
- Check your FICO credit score (the number used to predict how likely you are to pay back a loan) through your bank or online service.
- Set up a budget to make sure you can cover your expenses.
Tackle debt
- Create a debt pay-off plan.
- Cut down on expenses that aren’t necessary.
- Reduce your credit card use.
Save for the future
- Save money for an emergency fund.
- Increase your Costco 401(k) contribution.
- Set up automatic recurring deposits into a savings account.
Take a physical break
Get active
- Set specific goals for your physical activity, like “walk a mile every day.”
- Try a free 20-minute online workout — there are lots to choose from on YouTube.
- Take the stairs or walk whenever possible.
Mind your metabolism
- Stand or walk regularly to reduce your time sitting down.
- Drink water before grabbing a snack to help fill you up.
- Sleep at least seven hours a night to keep metabolism steady.
Maintain your muscle
- Walk with small hand weights to work your arms and your core.
- Do pushups, squats or lunges when watching TV.
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of protein.
Your Costco benefits can help you on your well-being journey. See the resources below for more information.
Sources:
Forbes. How to create a financial wellness checklist.
National Institutes of Health. Emotional wellness toolkit.
National Institutes of Health. Physical wellness toolkit.
Ramsey Solutions. The 7 baby steps.
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Learn more
LEARN MORE
DECEMBER 2023
Handling holiday mishaps
The holiday season is often called “the most wonderful time of the year.” But from December into the new year, emergency rooms tend to see a sharp increase in accidents and injuries associated with the holidays.
The good news is that you don’t have to roll yourself in bubble wrap to stay safe this season. With some awareness, preparation and safety measures, you improve the chances that you and your loved ones will enter the new year injury free.
When things happen that you can’t prevent and you need help, turn to your Costco benefits. You’ll find the care you need when you need it to get back to good health.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
6 common holiday injuries and accidents (and how to avoid them)
Fall-related injuries during holiday decorating
Everyone wants to deck the halls, but at what cost? According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 160 decorating injuries occur each day in the U.S. during the holiday season. Almost half of those accidents involve falls that often lead to broken bones, concussions and pulled muscles.
Avoid the injury: If you’re using a ladder to hang your decorations, check for broken or worn parts, especially if you haven’t gotten it out since last year. And when using the ladder, always work with another person. A good rule of thumb from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: For every four feet of height you have to climb, move the base of the ladder one foot away from the wall.
Fall-related injuries on ice or snow
A winter wonderland, though beautiful, can also be a risky place. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 1 million Americans are injured annually from falling on ice or snow. These injuries can range from minor sprains to broken bones and concussions.
Avoid the injury: Taking slow, short steps and wearing footwear with non-slip rubber soles can go a long way in preventing falls. Stay on designated paths that have been cleared (if possible), and don’t take shortcuts. And avoid walking on a particularly dark area — it could be black ice.
Toy-related injuries
Toys are supposed to bring smiles, not tears. But in 2021, emergency rooms across the country treated almost 152,000 toy-related injuries among children aged 14 and younger.
Avoid the injury: Make sure to read all the instructions for new toys, and follow age guidance and safety information listed on the package. If you or your children are using new riding toys (e.g., bikes, scooters, skateboards), wear protective gear and helmets. And remember to keep small parts and packaging away from young children.
Cutting injuries from unwrapping gifts
Opening holiday presents can be a whirlwind, especially with kids, as bows, ribbons and torn paper fly through the air. It can also be dangerous. Using tools like scissors or knives when you’re in a hurry, distracted or overly excited can cause lacerations or puncture wounds that require a trip to the emergency room. On average, 6,000 people a year are treated for package-related injuries, according to the CPSC.
Avoid the injury: When using scissors or a knife, always cut away from yourself and away from anyone else. Help children who are struggling to open a gift. Stay away from using tools like razor blades, box cutters or pocketknives. Have a first aid kit nearby. And keep ribbons and bows away from pets. They can cause intestinal blockages that often require surgery.
Cooking and electrical accidents
Whenever there’s extra cooking, baking and deep fried turkeys happening, an increase in fires or minor burns is inevitable. When you add candles, overloaded electrical outlets and a Christmas tree into the mix, the chance of a fire goes up from there. The American Red Cross estimates that holiday fires cause more than 2,000 injuries each year.
Avoid the injury: Never leave the stove unattended, especially if there are children around. Turn off the oven as soon as food is done cooking. Use your deep fryer outdoors, away from trees and wooden structures, and turn it off immediately if oil starts to smoke. If you have a live tree, keep it watered, or look for a fire-resistant artificial one. Keep all trees at least three feet away from heat vents, radiators or other heat sources. Blow out candles when you leave a room.
Food-related concerns
It’s easy to get caught up in holiday celebrations, but all too often, people get sick from the food and drink they enjoy. Two food-related concerns to be aware of are food poisoning — which can occur when food is left out too long at parties and buffets — and allergic reactions, as more people eat away from home and sample unfamiliar food.
Avoid the injury: If you know you have food allergies, be cautious about trying food that’s new to you or if you don’t know the ingredients. At parties, eat early, when the food is first put out. If you’re the host, wash your hands frequently and prevent cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat and produce. Refrigerate any leftovers within two hours of serving.
If you do sustain an injury over the holidays, your Costco benefits are there to support you. Check out the resources below for more information.
Sources:
UCLA Health. 7 common holiday injuries and accidents and how to avoid them.
Cleveland Clinic. How to walk in snow and avoid winter hazards.
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Explore more
EXPLORE MORE
DECEMBER 2023
Audio: Setting intentions
Setting goals or resolutions for the new year is the easy part. Keeping them? That’s another story. So maybe this year, try something different: intention setting.
Intention setting shifts your focus away from concrete goals and toward the bigger picture. The practice asks you to decide how you want to be, live and show up in the world, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. It’s a powerful tool to build inner strength and give you more clarity about your needs.
Listen and learn how to set your own intention. It only takes a few minutes, but its impact can last throughout your life.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Audio — Setting intentions
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Show transcript
Sources:
Resources For Living®. Setting intentions.
Yoga Journal. I’m a goal-setting expert. Here’s how to set — and keep — your new year intentions.
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Healthy recipe
HEALTHY RECIPE
DECEMBER 2023
Fudgy cocoa brownies
Is it time to add a new treat to your holiday baking traditions? This recipe could be it. A combination of classic ingredients creates a delectable, chocolatey brownie that comes together in about a half hour. Make sure to bring your brownies to room temperature before serving. And since the recipe is ready in a snap, make a double (or triple) batch to freeze or gift to a neighbor or co-worker. It’s an easy way to show your gratitude for their help and kindness.
Ingredients: 10
Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 35 min
Serves: 16
Ingredients:
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
2 large egg whites
¾ cup, divided chopped walnuts
Directions:
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil or parchment, allowing the foil or parchment to extend over the rim of the pan by 2 inches. Spray with cooking spray.
Step 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Step 3
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in the cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Let stand 5 minutes.
Step 4
Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg and egg whites to the cocoa mixture. Whisk until blended. Stir in the flour mixture until blended. Stir in 1/2 cup of walnuts.
Step 5
Scrape the batter into the baking pan and spread evenly. Scatter the remaining 1/4 cup of walnuts over the batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging, 20–25 minutes.
Step 6
Let cool completely in the pan on a rack. Lift from the pan using the overhanging foil or parchment as handles. Cut into 16 squares. Note: For easier cutting, refrigerate the cooled brownies about 1 hour.
Nutrition
Serving size: 1 square | Calories: 141 | Total fat: 7 g | Saturated fat: 2 g | Sodium: 64 mg | Total carbohydrates: 20 g | Fiber: 2 g | Protein: 3 g
Source: WeightWatchers
Give yourself a gift this year! Costco employees can join WeightWatchers for as low as $14 per month, and spouses/domestic partners and dependents can join for as low as $19.50 per month. Participants must be age 18 or older to join. Sign up at WW.com/Costco or call 866-204-2885.
Jimmy Stewart
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2024 Annual Enrollment: November 1-21
LET’S GET COOKING
NOVEMBER 2023
Annual Enrollment is served!
November 1–21, 2023
Annual Enrollment is your opportunity to review and make changes to your benefits plan elections for the upcoming year. It’s also the time to confirm eligibility for any enrolled family members to continue their coverage through 2024.
In late October, an Annual Enrollment letter and the 2024 Benefit Plan Changes booklet were mailed to you to help you with the enrollment process. If you didn’t receive these materials, or if you prefer to review online, you’ll find everything you need at Costcobenefits.com.
Want to make sure you don’t miss any steps? Watch this quick Annual Enrollment video.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
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Show transcript
The recipe for a healthy, happy 2024
Follow this checklist to ensure a successful Annual Enrollment. You must complete these steps by November 21, 2023.
- Sign up for text reminders on the Enrollment Website at Costcobenefits.com.
- Watch the Annual Enrollment video to make sure you don’t miss any steps.
- Review your 2024 Benefit Plan Changes booklet.
- Complete your Dependent Verification to continue coverage for your eligible family members. This must be completed every year, even if you don’t make any changes to your benefits.
- Review your current benefits plan elections on the Enrollment Website. This includes confirming your life insurance beneficiaries.
- Enroll or re-enroll in your Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and/or Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) for 2024.* Remember, even if you’re already enrolled, you must re-enroll to participate in 2024.
To complete your Annual Enrollment, use your ESS user name and password to log in at Costcobenefits.com.
*Not available in Puerto Rico.
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Enhanced benefits
ENHANCED BENEFITS
NOVEMBER 2023
Here’s what’s new for 2024
Costco takes your health and well-being very seriously. That’s why your Costco benefits are continually evolving to provide affordable, quality care for you and your family. You’ll find exciting new benefits plan enhancements for 2024 to help with hypertension management, mental health support and vision coverage — all at no cost to you or your covered family members.
Watch the Benefit Changes video to learn more about these enhancements.
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Explore your enhanced benefits
Help for hypertension
A new virtual blood pressure management program from Omada is coming in 2024. Omada for Hypertension provides one-on-one support and guidance from a personal health coach and clinical specialist, as well as the tools you need to track and monitor your progress. In addition, you’ll get a personalized care plan, weekly lessons and membership in an online support group.
Employees who are enrolled in a Costco medical plan and their covered dependents age 18 or older can participate in Omada for Hypertension at no cost, starting January 1. If you’re enrolled in Omada for Diabetes or Prevention, your health coach can also assist you with this service.
Peer support when you need it
Beginning January 1, all Costco employees, their household members and dependent children age 13 or older will have free access to Supportiv. This online peer-to-peer support program matches you with other people going through the same struggles you are, such as emotional challenges, parenting concerns, relationship issues and much more. The conversations are through live small group chat sessions that are professionally moderated and fully anonymous. It’s your place to de-stress and feel supported 24/7, 365 days a year – no appointment necessary.
Use your vision benefit throughout the year
Starting in 2024, your vision and hearing aid* benefits will be supplied through EyeMed. With this change, you no longer have to use your vision benefit in a single purchase — it’s available to use throughout the year. For example, if you buy a pair of glasses in January for $100, then lose them three months later, you’ll still have $75 to put toward a replacement pair. You must use your full benefit by December 31, 2024.
To learn more about these benefits plan enhancements, visit Costcobenefits.com.
*Hearing aid and eye exam benefits in Puerto Rico will continue to be supplied by Triple-S.
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Learn more: Reimbursement Accounts
LEARN MORE
NOVEMBER 2023
More money in your pocket
For Mainland and Hawaii only.
Taking care of yourself and your family can have a big impact on your budget. There are the everyday expenses, including medications and first aid supplies and larger ones, like day care and orthodontia. But here’s some good news: You can set aside pretax money to help pay for these items with reimbursement accounts, administered by PayFlex®. Even better news: You’ll also spend less on taxes.
Costco offers two reimbursement accounts. You can choose to enroll in one or both of them. The Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) is for health care expenses, and the Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) is for dependent care expenses. You must enroll or re-enroll in these accounts every year, so make your elections for 2024 during Annual Enrollment, November 1–21.
Watch the Reimbursement Accounts video below to learn more about the HCRA and DCAP.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
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Show transcript
The smart way to pay for health care and dependent care expenses
The Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) allow you to pay for qualified expenses with money automatically deducted from your paycheck before taxes are calculated, lowering your taxable income. Here are answers to some common questions about these accounts.
What do they cover?
You can use your HCRA for eligible health care expenses that are not covered by your medical plan for you and your covered spouse and dependents. These expenses can include your plan deductible and copays, and many health care items and services, for example:
- Dental and vision expenses
- LASIK laser eye surgery
- Orthotics
- Reading glasses
- Sunscreen
See a complete list of eligible HCRA expenses.
Your DCAP can be used to reimburse yourself for eligible dependent care expenses necessary for you and your spouse to work. Funds can be used to pay for childcare for your dependents age 12 and under, or to care for another family member incapable of self-care who lives in your home, such as a spouse, a child age 13 or older or a parent. Here are a few examples of eligible expenses:
- Before- and after-school care
- Care for a disabled family member
- Child daycare
- In-home aide
- Nanny
- Preschool tuition
See a complete list of eligible DCAP expenses.
Note: Your DCAP cannot be used to pay for dependent health care expenses.
How do they work?
When you enroll in an HCRA or DCAP, you choose an amount of money to put aside for the year based on what you think you’ll need to cover your expenses. This money is automatically taken out of each paycheck and deposited into your reimbursement account before payroll taxes are calculated.
You don’t pay taxes on this money. That means you save an amount equal to the taxes you would have paid on the money you set aside.
With an HCRA, you can pay for certain expenses directly from your account with the AutoPay function if you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan. You can also use the HCRA debit card for eligible expenses, or pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement. See below for more details.
Autopay
HCRA
The HCRA will automatically reimburse certain medical, dental and vision plan expenses, including copays, coinsurance and deductibles.
debit card
HCRA
Use for eligible expenses at Costco Pharmacy or Online Pharmacy, Costco Optical Department and Costco Hearing Aid Center.
Claim form
HCRA & DCAP
Use for other eligible expenses, such as prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs or items.
With a DCAP, you’ll need to pay upfront for an eligible item or service, then you’ll submit your receipt and a claim form through PayFlex to get reimbursed from your account.
Each reimbursement account has different rules and restrictions, as follows:
HCRA
Contribution amounts
You can contribute between $120 and $3,050 per year.
Enrollment
To enroll or re-enroll in an HCRA for 2024, you must make your election during Annual Enrollment.
Access
You can access the full amount of your annual HCRA election on January 1.
Rollover
Only a small portion of your HCRA balance can roll over to the next plan year. If you are enrolled in an HCRA for 2023, your rollover amount to use in 2024 is $610. This amount is determined each year by the IRS.
Use it or lose it
All expenses must occur during 2024. You forfeit any balance over the rollover limit that remains in your account after the claim filing deadline of April 30, 2025.
DCAP
Contribution amounts
You can contribute up to $5,000 per year ($2,500 if married and filing separately).
Enrollment
To enroll or re-enroll in a DCAP for 2024, you must make your election during Annual Enrollment. You can unenroll or change your DCAP election at any time during the year if there is a change in your dependent care needs.
Access
Access is limited to the amount currently in your account. You can get reimbursed up to the amount of your year-to-date contributions, not the entire annual amount you selected.
Grace period
You can use the funds you contributed for any services through March 15, 2024.
Use it or lose it
You can submit claims until April 30, 2025. Any funds remaining after the deadline will be forfeited.
How do I know how much to contribute?
Be very thoughtful when choosing how much money to contribute to your reimbursement accounts. Look at what you spent this year on health care and/or dependent care, and consider how that amount may change in 2024. Money left in reimbursement accounts (except for the allowed rollover amount for the HCRA and the grace period for the DCAP) will be forfeited after the claim filing deadlines.
How do I get started?
If you wish to participate in a reimbursement account for 2024, you must enroll during Annual Enrollment, which ends on November 21, 2023. Important note: If you enrolled in a reimbursement account for 2023, you will need to re-enroll in order to have a reimbursement account for 2024.
Visit the Enrollment Website located on Costcobenefits.com to make your reimbursement account elections. See the resources below for more information.