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.
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!
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.
♪ ♪ NARRATOR: Your health and the health of your family is a top priority at Costco. That’s why we are committed to providing you and your family with affordable benefits that help you receive quality care whenever needed.
Now that Annual Enrollment is here, we want to make sure you understand the benefits available to you and your family and why this time is so important. Here’s everything you need to know about Annual Enrollment.
Annual Enrollment is the time of year that benefit eligible employees have the opportunity to make changes to their benefit elections for the upcoming calendar year. You can add or drop coverage for yourself or family members, change your existing plans, and explore the benefits available to you and your family in the coming year.
By now, you should have received a kit in the mail that includes everything you need to enroll in Costco benefits. This includes things like the Benefit Plan Changes booklet and information about how to log on to Costcobenefits.com and start the Annual Enrollment process.
If you have not received a kit, that’s totally fine. All of the information in the kit can be found on Costcobenefits.com, where you can also sign up for text reminders about Annual Enrollment, so you don’t miss a step of the process.
We’ve done our best to make the Annual Enrollment process easy. Beginning in November, you can click on the Annual Enrollment banner on Costcobenefits.com to start the process. Once you have selected your benefits, they will go into effect on January 1st.
If you have dependents enrolled, you will need to complete the dependent verification process each year to continue their coverage, even if you didn’t make any changes. When you begin the online Annual Enrollment process, the platform will automatically remind you to verify your dependents.
In addition to core benefits like medical and dental coverage, Annual Enrollment is also a great time to ensure that your beneficiaries are up to date for your Life insurance, AD&D and Retirement plans.
Having your beneficiaries set up for these plans is critical so you can ensure that the right people receive this benefit in case it is needed. You can update your beneficiaries for life insurance and AD&D online while you go through the Annual Enrollment process.
To update beneficiaries for your retirement plans, just visit Rps.TRowePrice.com. As a reminder, if you want to participate in the HCRA or DCAP, you must enroll during Annual Enrollment, even if you were already enrolled for the current plan year.
All your other benefit elections will continue into the following year if you don’t make any changes. And that’s the basics. Annual Enrollment begins and ends in November, so be sure to enroll early.
If you have any questions or need more information, just visit Costcobenefits.com or call the enrollment center at 800-541-6205. Thanks for watching, and remember, we’re in this together.
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.
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.
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.
♪ ♪ NARRATOR: Your health and the health of your family is a top priority at Costco. That’s why we are committed to providing you and your family with affordable benefits that help you receive quality care whenever needed.
This coming year, we have made exciting enhancements to your Costco benefits, all at no cost for you and your dependents. Here is everything you need to know about this year’s new benefit enhancements.
Costco is offering three new benefits enhancements this year. These are vision benefits through EyeMed, Omada for Hypertension, and Supportiv, a fully anonymous mental health service. These enhanced offerings will be available to you and your family beginning January 1st.
In 2024, your vision and hearing aid benefits will be supplied through EyeMed. With this change to EyeMed, your vision benefit will be available to use throughout the year. You no longer have to use it all in a single purchase, but you do have to use it by December 31st.
This year, we have added a new hypertension program through Omada. This virtual program makes it easier to manage your blood pressure and reach your health goals. The program provides you with a personal health coach and clinical specialist who supply you with a personalized care plan, day-to-day support, and online peer groups and communities.
Plus, you can get a smart device like a blood pressure monitor, and if eligible, a smart scale to monitor your blood pressure and track your progress. If you are already using the Omada for Diabetes or Prevention programs, no action is needed on your part.
Your coach will be able to help you with hypertension as well. Eligible employees and dependents on the Costco medical plan can enroll in this program at no cost. Beginning in 2024, all Costco employees and dependents age 13 or older will have free access to Supportiv, an online peer-to-peer chat support group.
Supportiv is a fully anonymous peer-to-peer service that connects you to other people dealing with the same challenges you are. Conversations are among small groups and are facilitated by trained moderators.
It’s your place to de-stress and feel supported 24/7/365, no sign-ups, assessments, or appointment necessary. These changes are effective January 1st. If you have any questions or need more information, just visit Costcobenefits.com.
Thanks for watching, and remember, we’re in this together.
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.
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.
♪ ♪ NARRATOR: Your health and the health of your family is a top priority at Costco. That’s why we are committed to providing you and your family with affordable benefits that help you receive quality care whenever needed.
One of those benefits are the reimbursement accounts available through PayFlex. Here’s everything you need to know about reimbursement accounts. There are two types of reimbursement accounts available to you as a Costco employee through PayFlex, the HCRA and the DCAP.
The HCRA or Health Care Reimbursement Account, allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to reimburse yourself for eligible medical expenses, such as: Copays, Coinsurance and deductibles, Dental and vision expenses, Prescriptions, and over-the-counter items.
Annual Enrollment is the only time you can enroll in an HCRA account, and the HCRA must be re-elected every year if you want to continue your account. The DCAP, or Dependent Care Assistance Plan, allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to reimburse yourself for qualified child and elder care expenses necessary for you and your spouse to work.
Funds can be used to pay for childcare for your dependents age 12 and younger, or for a spouse or dependent incapable of self-care. Examples of DCAP expenses are things like day care, before and after school care, nursery and pre-school, and in-home aids.
Please note that the DCAP cannot be used for dependent health care expenses. You need to enroll in the DCAP every year to continue your account, however, you can unenroll, change, or stop your enrollment whenever there is a change to your dependent care needs throughout the year.
Both types of accounts are funded by automatic pre-taxed payroll deductions from every paycheck. If you choose to enroll in one or both of the reimbursement accounts during Annual Enrollment, you will be prompted to choose how much money you would like to contribute for the plan year.
Funds will then be deducted pre-tax from your paychecks and deposited into these reimbursement accounts. While you can access the full amount of your annual HCRA election beginning January 1st, with the DCAP, you can only access the amount currently in your account at the time of your reimbursement request.
Each account has a funding limit set by the IRS. Before you enroll, take a look at your health care and dependent care expenses for the previous year, and think about needs in the coming year to get a sense of how much you would like to contribute.
Your needs may vary from year to year, so think carefully about the coming year’s needs before selecting your contribution level. It is important to remember that funds in both accounts are “use it or lose it” per IRS rules.
Only a small portion of your HCRA balance can roll over into the next plan year. This amount is determined annually by the IRS. Only participants who have an active HCRA as of December 31st are eligible for this rollover.
Any funds beyond the rollover amount are forfeited after the claim filing deadline. This is why it’s so important to consider your anticipated expenses for the coming year before selecting a contribution level for each account.
If you have a larger amount in your DCAP account than you expected as the end of the plan year approaches, you can take advantage of the grace period. The DCAP offers a grace period at the beginning of the following year where funds from the previous year can still be used.
Don’t forget to submit all your reimbursement claims by the filing deadline as any funds left over after this period will be forfeited. Be sure to calculate your contributions carefully. And that’s the basics.
If you have any questions or need more information, just visit Costcobenefits.com. Thanks for watching, and remember, we’re in this together.
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:
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:
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.
When you stop smoking, drop those last stubborn pounds or get your yearly exam, it feels good. You’ve done something important for your physical well-being. But did you ever think those healthy changes might also be doing something for your financial well-being?
Taking care of your body can have a positive effect on your wallet. Here are just six ways you can save while taking better care of your health.
The national average cost of a pack of cigarettes in the U.S. is $8.99, which (including federal and average state excise taxes) is around $273 per month or $3,281 annually for someone who smokes one pack per day.1
2. Enroll in a DCAP or HCRA.
With a Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP), you can set aside pretax dollars to reimburse yourself for qualified child and elder care expenses. A Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) lets you do the same with eligible health care expenses, such as copays and premiums. Save money on your taxes by enrolling in a DCAP and/or HCRA administered by PayFlex®* during Annual Enrollment.
3. Choose in-network doctors.
When you choose an in-network doctor, you’re choosing someone whose rates are in line with your Costco medical plan.
Want to save even more? 98point6®* offers on-demand, text-based access to board-certified doctors who can diagnose and treat a variety of conditions. You and your family members age 1+ have access to 98point6 on-demand care as part of your Costco benefits package for up to $5 per visit.
4. Know before you go.
Only go to the emergency room when it’s medically necessary. This includes when:
Your condition appears to be life threatening
Your condition could worsen and become life threatening on the way to the hospital
Moving could cause you further harm or injury
If you’re not having an emergency, but need medical care right away, use 98point6 or go to your nearest in-network urgent care. Either of these options can provide the appropriate level of care and are far less expensive.
5. Use Costco Health Solutions* for your pharmacy needs.
If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan, you and your enrolled family members automatically receive prescription drug coverage, administered by Costco Health Solutions (CHS). Fill your prescriptions at any Costco pharmacy or through Costco Home Delivery Pharmacy and save.
6. Get a second opinion.
Whether you’re facing a cancer diagnosis, considering surgery or dealing with another serious medical condition, getting a second opinion from a board-certified specialist is often the smartest thing you can do. If you and your family are covered by a Costco medical plan, you can get an expert second opinion at no cost through 2nd.MD.*
*Not available in Puerto Rico. 1Numbeo. Price Rankings by Country of Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) (Markets)
Want to do even more to improve your physical well-being and save money? Your Costco benefits can help.
What plans do you have for the new year? Will you work on taking more time for yourself? Save for a dream vacation? Start a healthy diet you can stick with? If you’re hoping for 12 months of personal growth, here’s a great way to get started: Take the 2023 pledge — and invite your spouse or domestic partner to join you.
When you take the pledge, you agree to get to know your Costco benefits. Learn what they can do for you. And use them to improve your:
Emotional well-being
Reduce stress, improve relationships and build strength to find solutions for everyday challenges.
Financial well-being
Learn to make a budget, get out of debt, build your savings and safeguard your future.
Physical well-being
Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and stay on top of exams, screenings and vaccinations.
If this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. Taking the pledge is the first step toward making real improvements in your well-being. Each month, you’ll receive an email summarizing the latest content here on your well-being portal, with links to new articles and videos that can help you improve your well-being. You’ll learn about your Costco benefits and hear from Costco employees who are using them to thrive.
Take the pledge and start growing!
To commit to your personal growth and get the most from your Costco benefits, visit your well-being portal and take the pledge.
Want to learn more about your 2023 Costco benefits? Check out the resources below.
In January, the new year is still a blank canvas. If you’ve taken the 2023 pledge, you’re probably already thinking about your goals for your emotional, financial and physical well-being. You may also be thinking about all the ways you plan to grow this year.
Want to make the best possible start? Take the pledge (if you haven’t already) and encourage your spouse or domestic partner to join you. Then take out your calendar and start scheduling appointments that are essential for your well-being.
Here are just a few of the well-being appointments you should schedule for and put on your calendar. Check the resources below to learn more, including how to find a primary care doctor.
Annual physical
COST: $0*
During this exam, the doctor will check your vitals, like your blood pressure, heart rate and temperature, and will talk to you about your family’s medical history. Depending on your health background and history, your doctor might also do some blood work or further testing. Even if you’re young and in excellent health, it’s important for your doctor to get to know you, establish a baseline and be alert to changes in your health that may occur in the future.
Two dental exams and cleanings
COST: $0*
It’s important to get a dental exam and have your teeth cleaned every six months. Not only will your dentist monitor your dental hygiene, but they’ll also check for gum disease. And they’ll periodically take X-rays to check for tooth decay, impacted teeth or tooth movement. Remember, the earlier oral health problems are treated, the less costly and aggressive the treatment will be.
Dermatology exam
COST: VARIES
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Be sure to conduct monthly skin cancer self-exams. Plus, annual skin exams by a board-certified dermatologist may be recommended if you have a:
History of skin cancer in your family
History of blistering sunburns or tanning bed use
Large number of moles or a history of atypical moles
History of regular sun exposure
Vision exam
COST: COVERED UP TO $80*
The American Optometric Association recommends getting an exam at least every two years to have your eyes checked for things like cataracts and glaucoma. After age 40, you’ll want to get an eye exam every year.
Gynecology exam
COST: VARIES
If you’re female and over age 21, or are sexually active (whichever comes first), you need to start seeing a gynecologist. During this exam, your doctor will check your breasts, conduct a pelvic exam and possibly do a Pap smear (this is typically done every three to five years, depending on your age), where they’ll check your cervix to test for any cancerous cells or abnormalities.
Mammogram
COST: $0*
A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast. Regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer at an early stage. They can often find breast changes that could be cancer years before physical symptoms develop.
Women under the age of 40 with family history of breast cancer, or who have discovered a lump.
Women between ages 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.
Women ages 45 to 54 should get a mammogram every year.
Women ages 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screenings should continue as long as a woman is in good health.
Vaccinations
COST: $o*
Make sure to get your flu shot and any other vaccinations your in-network primary care provider (PCP) recommends. You’ll find a complete list of vaccinations the CDC currently recommends by age group here.
Financial checkup
COST: VARIES
A financial checkup looks at the current state of your finances and helps you determine any changes you need to make to meet your goals. It may include the following.
Reviewing your life changes. They can affect your taxes and financial goals.
Creating a budget to be intentional about spending, saving and investing.
Assessing, reducing and managing your debt.
Checking your credit score since it affects loan rates and terms you receive.
Revisiting your retirement plan to make sure it aligns with your goals.
Evaluating your estate plan so your loved ones are protected.
Get a free 30-minute financial consultation through Resources For Living® (RFL®)**.
*If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan.
**Resources For Living is available to all employees and members of their household, including children up to age 26 living away from home.
Sources:InStyle. The 6 doctors’ appointments you need to make this year. American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer. Investopedia. How to conduct a financial checkup.
For more information on how your Costco benefits can support your efforts to enhance your emotional, financial and physical well-being, see the resources below.
Who hasn’t made a New Year’s resolution only to see it fizzle out by February? Don’t blame your lack of willpower. (Trust us, it’s not that!) If you want to achieve an important goal, make small, specific changes that can lead to a big change. You can do it if you set SMART goals.
The S.M.A.R.T process was developed to help managers set achievable management goals and objectives. Today the SMART process is everywhere, offering useful guidelines for anybody who wants to make a big change in their lives.
Specific
Include details. Setting a goal to lose 15 pounds works better than “lose weight.”
Measurable
Track your progress as you work toward your goal. Try using a journal or an app 3 or more times per week.
Achievable
Make sure your goals are realistic. Retiring at age 30 is not very realistic. Saving an extra $100 a month might be achievable.
Results-oriented
Focus on what you’re trying to accomplish. But if you encounter obstacles, such as family obligations, adjust as necessary.
Time-bound
Set a realistic amount of time to achieve your goal. Celebrate as you check off smaller goals along the way, such as making a substantial credit card payment.
Put SMART to work in your life
Now that you know what SMART goals are, here are some examples of how you can use them to achieve your well-being goals.
Strengthen family bonds
Goal: I will work on nurturing and strengthening my family ties.
SMART breakdown
Specific: I will plan two family activities every week.
Measurable: I’ll keep track of my ideas in a notebook, then write them on our family calendar.
Achievable: Our family has consistently done Taco Tuesdays and trips to the movies every month; therefore, scheduling family activities is doable.
Results-oriented: These activities will play a big part in fostering and deepening the bonds among all family members.
Time-bound: My goal is to put a deposit on a family vacation in six months for a trip we will take next summer.
Live within a budget
Goal: I will create a budget of $3,450 every month.
SMART breakdown
Specific: I will create a budget of $3,450 every month and spend $300 less.
Measurable: I’ll keep a record of every expense and ensure that I spend less than my budget of $3,450.
Achievable: My average monthly spending is $3,250; therefore, I can try my best to stay within the budget if I don’t use my credit cards.
Results-oriented: Keeping my expenses within a budget of $3,450 will prevent me from splurging on items spurred by impulse buying. It will also help me save more and make me more responsible.
Time-bound: The goal is to develop a consistent habit of living within a budget of $3,450 every month throughout this year.
Get regular exercise
Goal: I will consistently work out a minimum of 20 minutes per day, three days a week by summer.
SMART breakdown
Specific: I will do low-impact exercises for 20 minutes per day, three days a week.
Measurable: I will measure my progress using a fitness tracker and calendar, making sure I complete my 20-minute workouts.
Achievable: Scheduling workouts for Monday, Wednesday and Friday is manageable for me in the long term. Also, keeping it at 20 minutes will help build up the intensity and allow me enough time to benefit from the cardio, while being short enough to not impact my other routine tasks.
Results-oriented: Working out for 20 minutes three days a week will give me the amazing benefit of moving from low-impact to high-intensity workouts while being manageable enough to sustain for the long term.
Time-bound: I will consistently work out a minimum of 20 minutes per day, three days a week by July 15.
Sources: LifeHack. How to write SMART goals (with SMART goals templates). LifeHack. 20 personal SMART goals to improve your life.
If you’d like to learn more about Costco benefits and resources that can help you achieve your SMART goals, the following resources can help.
Another eventful year is coming to a close. You brought your best every day. And thanks to your dedication, hard work and collaborative spirit, Costco is a great company.
You also made strides in your well-being journey. During 2022, more than 103,109 of you, along with your spouses or domestic partners, took the We’re in This Together pledge to improve your emotional, financial and physical well-being. You explored your Costco benefits and learned how they can help you reach your goals. And more than 182,000 of you received our monthly well-being emails.
Are you ready to make 2023 your best year yet? Starting in January 2023, you and your spouse or domestic partner can pledge to continue working toward your emotional, financial and physical well-being goals.
In April, you can also join your fellow Costco employees in our first-ever quarterly Well-being Challenge. It’s a great opportunity to set a short-term goal, form a healthy habit and reap the rewards. At the end of the year, you’ll receive a digital well-being toolkit to help you continue the good work you’ve started.
Throughout the year, your well-being portal will also feature audio podcast interviews with Costco employees. Learn how they’ve used their Costco benefits to improve their well-being. And get insights you can use in your own personal growth. And, each month, you’ll hear from a fellow Costco employee about their experience with one of our many Costco benefits. Their testimonials can help you learn more about a resource that could enhance your well-being, too.
The health and well-being of our employees is a top priority. That’s why we remain committed to providing our employees with exceptionally valuable benefit programs that we regularly review and enhance when appropriate. Because of this, we feel it is important that you are familiar with the benefit programs that are available to you so that you and your family can get the most out of them. The best way you can do this is by participating in the We’re in This Together pledge. By participating, you receive important information that is tailored to your needs.
Thank you for the important role you play in making Costco a great company. My best wishes to you and your family for a healthy 2023!
Costco takes your emotional, financial and physical well-being very seriously. And that commitment is reflected in your Costco benefits, which continue to evolve to be more accessible and more relevant. This coming year, your Costco benefits will feature some exciting enhancements affecting fertility challenges, adoption expenses, and parenting guidance and support.
Starting January 1, 2023, Costco medical plans will offer coverage for fertility treatments. This benefit will be available to both employees and their covered spouses. You’ll have access to your own fertility advocate, who can guide and support you every step of your treatment journey.
As an Aetna® medical plan member, you’ll also have access to the Aetna Maternity Program.* This benefit offers a wide array of resources, whether you’re planning for a family, already pregnant or working through infertility.
Starting January 1, 2023, Costco will reimburse you for eligible adoption expenses you pay or incur in 2023, up to $5,000 per child you adopt. The plan covers up to two adoptions, for a maximum reimbursement of $10,000. Eligible expenses include adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees and other adoption costs.
To participate, you (or your spouse, if they’re a Costco employee) must have at least one year of continuous Costco employment and be eligible to enroll in a health plan under the Costco Employee Benefits Program. The child you’re adopting must be under 18 years of age.
To learn more, including plan details, how to submit a reimbursement request and what supporting documents are required, visit Costcobenefits.com after November 2022.
Get additional parenting support
The last few years have been challenging for school-age children, not to mention the parents who support them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Beyond getting sick, many young people’s social, emotional and mental well-being has been impacted by the pandemic. Trauma faced at this developmental stage can continue to affect them across their lifespan.”1
RethinkCare offers parents tools and resources they can use to help their child or teen manage challenges at home and school. Take advantage of virtual consultations with a behavior expert, as well as an online library with thousands of step-by-step videos and research-based resources on common social, learning and behavioral topics.
New this year, the program has been expanded to support all families with children or teens, not just those with behavioral or learning issues. The program includes a comprehensive library of over 2,400 step-by-step how-to videos that build socialization, language and other skills; a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum; downloadable at-home learning materials; and a catalog of goal-based training on parental and family well-being. With the pandemic-related challenges all families are facing right now, RethinkCare is truly a lifeline for parents.
