Deferred Compensation Plan
What's Deferred Compensation?
A deferred compensation program lets you defer, or "put aside," a portion of your earnings each pay period into an account for your retirement.
When you contribute this portion of your income, you reduce the amount that's taxable now. So you're not only saving for tomorrow, you're postponing federal income taxes today.
The tax advantages last for years.
With a deferred compensation program, you also defer taxes on income that your account earns over the course of your employment years. No conventional passbook savings account lets you do that. (Please remember, annuities are not FDIC insured)
It's effortless.
Your contributions are conveniently deducted from your earnings each pay period before you receive your payroll check.
It's diversified.
You can choose among a variety of investment options, from conservative to very aggressive.
It's flexible.
It's your money, so you decide how much to contribute. And, when you leave public service, you chooes how your money will be made available to you.
Local representative.
You can sign up, make changes to your existing account, or discuss your account information by calling your local representative at 602-266-2733.
Visit the Maricopa County Deferred Compensation Web site
Morningstar ClearFuture Checklist
As a Maricopa County employee, you qualify for a special group discount* on your auto, home and renters insurance through Group Savings Plus® from Liberty Mutual. With Group Savings Plus®, you can enjoy the ease and convenience of paying your premiums through payroll or checking account deductions, with no down payment or finance charges. You'll also enjoy fast, easy, round-the-clock claims service and a variety of discounts for multi-car, multi-policy, safe-driver, passive restraints and anti-theft devices.*
See for yourself how much money you could save with Liberty Mutual compared with your current insurance provider. For a free, no-obligation quote, call 1-800-221-8135 or visit www.libertymutual.com/lm/maricopacountyemployees to request an online quote. You can also visit the Web site to learn more about Liberty Mutual.
Use the link above to Liberty Mutual's Web site to get the latest issue of Liberty Lines, which includes strategies to help you live a safer, more secure life.
* Group discounts, other discounts and credits are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. Certain discounts apply to specific coverages only. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA.
METLAW® LEGAL SERVICES PLAN
FACT SHEET
To use your Legal Plan, visit our web site at legalplans.com or call Hyatt Legal Plans' Client Service Center at 1-800-821-6400. Be prepared to give your Social Security Number. If you are the spouse or an eligible dependent of a Plan Member, you will need the Social Security Number of the Plan Member through whom you are eligible.
If you use Hyatt's web site at legalplans.com, click "Members Log In," and provide the Plan Member's Social Security number when prompted.
If you call the Client Service Center, the Client Service Representative who answers your call will:
verify your eligibility for services;
make an initial determination of whether and to what extent your case is covered (the Plan Attorney will make the final determination of coverage);
give you a Case Number that is similar to a claim number (you will need a new Case Number for each new case you have);
give you the telephone number of the Plan Attorney most convenient to you; and
answer any questions you have about your Legal Plan
Then call the Plan Attorney and identify yourself as a legal plan member referred to them by Hyatt Legal Plans. You should request an appointment for a consultation. You should be prepared to give them your Case Number, the name of the legal plan you belong to and the type of legal matter you are calling about. Evening and Saturday appointments are available. If you wish, you may choose an out-of-network attorney. In a few areas, where there are no Participating Law Firms, you will be asked to select your own attorney. In both circumstances, Hyatt Legal Plans will reimburse you for these non-Plan attorneys' fees based on a set fee schedule.
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You and your eligible dependents are entitled to receive certain personal legal services. The available benefits are very comprehensive, but there are limitations and other conditions that must be met. Please take time to read the description of benefits carefully. All benefits are available to you and your spouse and dependents, who are referred to below as Participant(s), unless otherwise noted.
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Office Consultation and Telephone Advice
This service provides the opportunity to discuss with an attorney any personal legal problems that are not specifically excluded. The Plan Attorney will explain the Participant's rights, point out his or her options and recommend a course of action. The Plan Attorney will identify any further coverage available under the Plan, and will undertake representation if the Participant so requests. If representation is covered by the Plan, the Participant will not be charged for the Plan Attorney's services. If representation is recommended, but is not covered by the Plan, the Plan Attorney will provide a written fee statement in advance. The Participant may choose whether to retain the Plan Attorney at his or her own expense, seek outside counsel, or do nothing. There are no restrictions on the number of times per year a Participant may use this service; however, for a non-covered matter, this service is not intended to provide the Participant with continuing access to a Plan Attorney in order to seek advice that would allow the Participant to undertake his or her own representation.
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Consumer Protection Matters
This service covers the Participant as a plaintiff, for representation, including trial, in disputes over consumer goods and services where the amount being contested exceeds the small claims court limit in that jurisdiction. The controversy must be evidenced by a written document such as a sales slip, contract, note or warranty. This service does not include disputes over real estate, construction, insurance or collection activities after a judgment.
Small Claims Assistance
This service covers counseling the Participant on prosecuting a small claims action; helping the Participant prepare documents; advising the Participant on evidence, documentation and witnesses; and preparing the Participant for trial. The service does not include the Plan Attorney's attendance or representation at the small claims trial, collection activities after a judgment or any services relating to post-judgment actions.
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Debt Collection Defense
This service provides Participants with an attorney's services for negotiation with creditors for a repayment schedule and to limit creditor harassment, and representation in defense of any action for personal debt collection, foreclosure, repossession or garnishment, up to and including trial if necessary. It does not include vacating a judgment; counter, cross or third party claims; bankruptcy; any action arising out of family law matters, including support and post-decree issues; or any matter where the creditor is affiliated with the Sponsor or Employer.
Identity Theft Defense
This service provides the Participant with consultations with an attorney regarding potential creditor actions resulting from identity theft and attorney services as needed to contact creditors, credit bureaus and financial institutions. It also provides defense services for specific creditor actions over disputed accounts. The defense services include limiting creditor harassment and representation in defense of any action that arises out of the identity theft such as foreclosure, repossession or garnishment, up to and including trial if necessary. The service also provides the Participant with online help and information about identity theft and prevention. It does not include counter, cross or third party claims; bankruptcy; any action arising out of family law matters, including support and post-decree issues; or any matter where the creditor is affiliated with the Sponsor or Employer.
Personal Bankruptcy or Wage Earner Plan
This service covers the Plan Member and spouse in pre-bankruptcy planning, the preparation and filing of a personal bankruptcy or Wage Earner petition, and representation at all court hearings and trials. This service is not available if a creditor is affiliated with the Sponsor or Employer, even if the Plan Member or spouse chooses to reaffirm that specific debt.
Tax Audits
This service covers reviewing tax returns and answering questions the IRS or a state or local taxing authority has concerning the Participant's tax return; negotiating with the agency; advising the Participant on necessary documentation; and attending an IRS or a state or local taxing authority audit. The service does not include prosecuting a claim for the return of overpaid taxes or the preparation of any tax returns.
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Administrative Hearing Representation
This service covers Participants in defense of civil proceedings before a municipal, county, state or federal administrative board, agency or commission. It does not apply where services are available or are being provided by virtue of an insurance policy. It does not include divorce or post-decree matters, paternity, support or custody matters or litigation of a job-related incident.
Civil Litigation Defense
This service covers the Participant in defense of arbitration proceeding or civil proceeding before a municipal, county, state or federal administrative board, agency or commission, or in a trial court of general jurisdiction. It does not apply where services are available or are being provided by virtue of an insurance policy. It does not include divorce or post-decree matters, paternity, support or custody matters, or litigation of a job-related incident. Services do not include bringing counterclaims, third party or cross claims.
Incompetency Defense
This service covers the Participant in the defense of any incompetency action, including court hearings when there is a proceeding to find the Participant incompetent.
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Affidavits
This service covers preparation of any affidavit in which the Participant is the person making the statement.
Deeds
This service covers the preparation of any deed for which the Participant is either the grantor or grantee.
Demand Letters
This service covers the preparation of letters that demand money, property or some other property interest of the Participant, except an interest that is an excluded service. It also covers mailing them to the addressee and forwarding and explaining any response to the Participant. Negotiations and representation in litigation are not included.
Document Review
This service covers the review of any personal legal document of the Participant, such as letters, leases or purchase agreements.
Mortgages
This service covers the preparation of any mortgage or deed of trust for which the Participant is the mortgagor. This service does not include documents pertaining to business, commercial or rental property.
Notes
This service covers the preparation of any promissory note for which the Participant is the payor or payee.
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Name Change
This service covers the Participant for all necessary pleadings and court hearings for a legal name change.
Premarital Agreement
This service covers the preparation of an agreement by a Plan Member and his or her fiancé(e) prior to their marriage, outlining how property is to be divided in the event of separation, divorce or death of a spouse. Representation is provided only to the Plan Member. The fiancé(e) must have separate counsel or must waive representation.
Protection from Domestic Violence
This service covers the Plan Member only, not the spouse or dependents, as the victim of domestic violence. It provides the Plan Member with representation to obtain a protective order, including all required paperwork and attendance at all court appearances. The service does not include representation in suits for damages, defense of any action, or representation for the offender.
Uncontested Adoption
This service covers all uncontested governmental agency and stepparent adoptions for the Plan Member and spouse. If an adoption becomes contested, the Plan Member or spouse must pay all additional legal fees.
Uncontested Guardianship or Conservatorship
This service covers establishing an uncontested guardianship or conservatorship over a person and his or her estate when the Plan Member or spouse is appointed guardian or conservator. It includes obtaining a permanent and/or temporary guardianship or conservatorship, gathering any necessary medical evidence, preparing the paperwork, attending the hearing and preparing the initial accounting. If the proceeding becomes contested, the Plan Member or spouse must pay all additional legal fees. This service does not include representation of the person over whom guardianship or conservatorship is sought, or any annual accountings after the initial accounting.
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Immigration Assistance
This service covers advice and consultation, preparation of affidavits and powers of attorney, review of any immigration documents and helping the Participant prepare for hearings.
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