CITY OF TUSCALOOSA EMPLOYEE SELF SERVICE (ESS)
Welcome to the City of Tuscaloosa MUNIS Employee Self Service. The MUNIS Employee Self Service website is designed to be
helpful for the employee and economically beneficial for the City of Tuscaloosa.
This online program will allow you to do the following:
 Make open enrollment choices (insurance and benefit options)
 Make address, emergency contact, and phone number changes
 View pay stub information
TIPS TO REMEMBER!
 If you change your password, make your new password something you can remember.
 Locked Out? If you attempt to log on with an incorrect password more than 10 times, your account will be locked. Email
[email protected] or call 248-5230 to have your password reset.
 ALWAYS remember to log off ESS when you are done!
 Changes to benefit elections will not be reflected until the first paycheck in January.
 All deduction amounts should be entered as the per pay period amount (except for Voluntary Life).
 Required forms must be submitted to HR by close of business on November 24, 2014 or your election will be voided.
 Plan summaries for benefit options can be found by clicking on the “Resource” tab at the top right-hand side of the screen.
Go to web address: http://tuscaloosa.munisselfservice.com
Click “LOG IN”
If you are using the MUNIS Employee Self Service website for the first time:
Your user name log in will be in the format [First Initial Last Initial Last 4 digits of SSN]. Your initial password log in will be in the
format [Last 4 digits of SSN]. Do not use commas, spaces or capital letters.
EXAMPLE: Your name is Jane Doe and your social security number is 123-45-6789. You will log in as follows:
User Name = jd6789
Password = 6789
After the initial log in, you may change your password. PLEASE MAKE IT SOMETHING YOU CAN REMEMBER!!
Click on the “Employee Self Service” tab on the left hand side of the ESS screen. Now you will see the following tabs:
 Benefits – allows you to enroll or make changes to benefits.
 Pay/Tax Information – allows you to view pay stubs, year-to-date earnings, W-2 information, and tax information (for
questions regarding pay stubs, YTD earning, etc, please contact payroll at (205) 248-5187.
 Personal Information- allows you to update information such as address and phone number, and emergency contacts.
Click on the “Benefits” tab.
Click on the “Open Enrollment” tab. You will see a list of the benefits offered to you for Plan Year 2015. If you wish to change
even one of your individual benefit elections for next year, you will need to either elect or decline coverage in each section.
You must begin with the first benefit section displayed and either elect or decline coverage. Once you make a selection, your election
choice for 2015 will show in the “New Election” column.
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HEALTH INSURANCE SECTION
If you are satisfied with your current election for Health Insurance, select “No Changes”. Your coverage will continue unchanged. If
you would like to elect Health Insurance for the first time, or if you need to change coverage, click on “Make New Election” and
select the appropriate level of coverage.
REMEMBER: The Pre-Tax option means that the premium is not included in the gross wages used to determine your federal and state
taxes.
If you wish to add or drop coverage for yourself or a dependent, you must complete a BCBS Enrollment/Cancellation form and submit
it along with other required documents to the HR Department by close of business November 24, 2014. See REQUIRED FORMS
FOR HEALTH INSURANCE!
REQUIRED FORMS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE:
New coverage for City employee = BCBS Enrollment/Cancellation form.
New dependents = BCBS Enrollment/Cancellation form + birth certificate, marriage certificate and social security card for each new
participant.
Drop dependents = BCBS Enrollment/Cancellation form.
FLEX SPENDING DEPENDENT CARE SECTION
The maximum election amount for FSA Dependent coverage for 2015 is $5,000.00. If you wish to utilize the Flexible Spending
Dependent Care account in 2015, you must elect coverage. Coverage for FSA accounts WILL NOT continue past December 31,
2014 unless re-elected by the employee. Click on “Make New Election” on the Flex Spending Dependent Care item. You must elect
or decline coverage. **Per IRS regulations, if you are married, your spouse must be employed full-time or enrolled as a full
time student for you to be eligible for this benefit. Election amounts must be entered as per pay period amounts. This benefit is
deduction from 24 pay periods. A “FSA calculator” link is provided to help you calculate this amount.
REQUIRED FORMS FOR FLEX DEPENDENT CARE:
None
FLEX SPENDING MEDICAL SECTION
The maximum election amount for FSA Medical coverage for 2015 is $2,550.00. If you wish to utilize the Flexible Spending Medical
account in 2015, you must elect coverage. Coverage for FSA accounts WILL NOT continue past December 31, 2014 unless reelected by the employee. Click on “Make New Election” on the Flex Spending Medical item. You must elect or decline coverage.
Please re-evaluate the annual election amount you may need for the 2015 plan year. IRS regulations mandate that OTC (overthe-counter) drugs cannot be purchased using the flex account. Additionally, please remember that the Drug Co-Pay Plan
implemented in 2010 may have reduced your out-of-pocket expenses for prescription medication. Any positive balance at the
end of the plan year will be forfeited. Election amounts must be entered as per pay period amounts. This benefit is deduction from 24
pay periods. A “FSA calculator” link is provided to help you calculate this amount.
REQUIRED FORMS FOR FLEX SPENDING MEDICAL:
None
LIFE INSURANCE SECTION
If you are satisfied with your current election for Life Insurance, select “No Changes”. Your coverage will continue unchanged. If
you would like to elect Life Insurance for the first time or cancel coverage, click on “Make New Election” and elect or decline
coverage.
If you choose “Make New Election”, you will now see the options for Life Insurance Coverage and the employee cost for that
coverage. REMEMBER: The Pre-Tax option means that the premium is not included in the gross wages used to determine your
federal and state taxes. See REQUIRED FORMS FOR LIFE INSURANCE!
REQUIRED FORMS FOR LIFE INSURANCE BASIC 125:
New coverage = Mutual of Omaha Enrollment form & Evidence of Insurability form
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LONG TERM DISABILITY SECTION
If you are satisfied with your current election for Long Term Disability, select “No Changes”. Your coverage will continue
unchanged. If you would like to elect LTD for the first time or cancel coverage, click on “Make New Election” and elect or decline
coverage.
If you choose “Make New Election”, you will now see the options for LTD Insurance Coverage. Please contact a HR Representative
for the calculated cost for LTD coverage. This cost is calculated based on the employee’s age and annual salary. Coverage is subject
to proof of insurability. See REQUIRED FORMS FOR LTD INSURANCE!
REQUIRED FORMS FOR LONG TERM DISABILITY:
New coverage = Mutual of Omaha Enrollment form & Evidence of Insurability form
RSA-1 DEF COMPENSATION SECTION
This is an optional 457(b) Deferred Comp Plan which allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars to a supplemental retirement savings
account.
If you are satisfied with your current election for RSA-1, click “No Changes”. Your contribution amount will continue unchanged. If
you are not satisfied and would like to make a change to RSA-1, click on “Make New Election” on the RSA-1 item. If electing this
option for the 1st time you must see an HR Dept. representative after submitting your contribution amount and completing the Open
Enrollment process. Please enter the new per pay period deduction amount. See REQUIRED FORMS FOR RSA-1 DEF COMP!
REQUIRED FORMS FOR RSA-1 DEF COMP:
New enrollment = (1) RSA-1 Member Record, (2) RSA-1 Beneficiary Designation, (3) RSA-1 Investment Option Election
VALIC 457 SECTION
This is an optional 457(b) Deferred Comp Plan which allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars to a supplemental retirement savings
account.
If you are satisfied with your current election for VALIC, click “No Changes”. Your contribution amount will continue unchanged. If
you are not satisfied and would like to make a change to Valic, click on “Make New Election” on the VALIC item. If electing this
option for the 1st time you must also see a VALIC representative after submitting your contribution amount and completing the Open
Enrollment process. Please enter the new per pay period deduction amount.
REQUIRED FORMS FOR VALIC 457:
None
VOLUNTARY GROUP LIFE INSURANCE SECTION
This is a low cost option for additional life insurance coverage for employees as well as spouses and children. Evidence of
Insurability is required for new coverage during this open enrollment period. If you would like to continue your coverage, select “No
Changes”. If you would like to enroll or cancel/decline, click on “Make New Election”. You may only choose the Spouse and/or
Child coverage option if you have enrolled in the Employee Life coverage.
See REQUIRED FORMS FOR VOLUNTARY GROUP LIFE INSURANCE!
REQUIRED FORMS FOR VOLUNTARY GROUP LIFE INSURANCE:
New coverage = Mutual of Omaha Enrollment form & Evidence of Insurability form
VOLUNTARY GROUP LIFE INSURANCE BUY UP SECTION
Each year employees that are currently enrolled in the VGL Employee option may elect to increase their benefit amount by $10,000
up to the guarantee issue amount of $150.000. This election does not require evidence of insurability. Click “Make New Election”
and elect or decline coverage.
REQUIRED FORMS FOR VOLUNTARY GROUP LIFE BUY UP INSURANCE:
None
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VISION INSURANCE SECTION
The new vision insurance plan is voluntary and provides routine vision care: exams, frames, lenses /contact lenses after payment of
copays.
REMEMBER: The Pre-Tax option means that the premium is not included in the gross wages used to determine your federal and state
taxes.
If you wish to add coverage for a dependent, you must complete a VSP Enrollment form and submit it along with other required
documents to the HR Department by close of business November 24, 2014. See REQUIRED FORMS FOR VISION INSURANCE!
REQUIRED FORMS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE:
New coverage for City employee = Online election will suffice.
New dependents = VSP Enrollment form + birth certificate, marriage certificate and social security card for each new
participant.
We’re Almost Finished!!!!! 
At this point, you may go back to any item and make changes by clicking “Change New Election” on that item. If you are satisfied
with your selections, click “Continue”. You will see a summary of the selections/changes that you have made. You can:



Click “Submit Choices” – this will forward your selections to HR for processing. **Note: Once you submit your choices, you
will still be able to make changes until the close of the Open Enrollment Period (Midnight. - 11/21/14) by logging on to ESS
and going back in the Open Enrollment section.
Click “Modify” – this will allow you to change the selections you have made.
Click “Cancel” – this will take you back to the home page. Don’t worry; your selections have not been erased.
Please “LOG OFF” the Employee Self Service system.
Supplemental Insurance (Colonial Life) enrollment/changes must be made with a Colonial Life representative. You may
contact Preston Robertson at (205) 310-3702.
Congratulations! You have completed the Open Enrollment process. Be sure to complete and submit any required paperwork to the
HR Department by close of business November 24, 2014. Failure to provide required documents will result in your elections
being voided.
Have a Great Day!!
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