How does Service 1st Benefits support my business during open enrollment?

We personally manage the entire open enrollment process — from educating employees to handling enrollment forms and answering plan questions. Our goal is to make open enrollment smooth and stress-free for everyone.

Can employees contact you directly for help?

Yes. Employees can reach out to us anytime for questions about claims, coverage, ID cards, or plan details. We act as your team’s benefits partner, not just your broker.

What size businesses do you work with?

We specialize in serving small and medium-sized businesses, typically ranging from 1–200 employees. If you’re growing or planning to expand, we help scale your benefits as your team grows.

Do you handle communication with insurance carriers for us?

Absolutely. We take care of claims issues, employee changes, renewals, and any carrier communication so you don’t have to spend hours on hold.

Do you offer voluntary or supplemental benefits?

Yes. We can provide optional add-ons like disability, accident, or critical illness insurance to enhance your benefits package at little or no cost to the employer.

What types of group benefits do you offer?

We provide comprehensive group health, dental, vision, and life insurance options for small and medium-sized businesses. We help you compare plans, handle enrollment, and manage carrier communication.

What information do you need to provide a quote?

We typically need: Number of employees Basic employee census (age, gender, ZIP code) Current plan (if applicable) Desired benefits or coverage goals We keep the process as simple as possible.

Do you charge fees for your services?

No. Our services — including plan comparison, open enrollment, and year-round support — are provided at no additional cost to your business.

What Actually Happens to Your FSA Money at Year-End

Service 1st Benefits

Oct 9

2 min read

Updated: Oct 13

Unlike an HSA, an FSA doesn't just sit there waiting for you to spend it whenever you're ready. Here's what actually happens to unused money when the year ends.

The Default Rule: Use It or Lose It

An FSA is use-it-or-lose-it by default. Whatever's left in the account when your plan year ends is forfeited — it doesn't roll over automatically, and it doesn't come back to you in any form. This is the single biggest difference between an FSA and an HSA, which never expires no matter how long the money sits.

The Two Exceptions — Employers Pick One, Never Both

The IRS allows employers to soften that rule two ways, but only one at a time, never both together. A grace period gives you up to an extra 2 months and 15 days after your plan year ends to incur new expenses against last year's remaining balance. A carryover instead lets a limited amount roll straight into the next plan year, available from day one, on top of whatever you elect going forward.

The 2026 Carryover Limit

If your plan offers the carryover option, the amount that can roll over is capped by the IRS — $680 for 2026. Anything above that cap is still forfeited even with carryover in place. The 2026 contribution limit for a health FSA is $3,400.

Find Out Which One Your Plan Actually Offers

Some employers offer neither option, in which case the strict use-it-or-lose-it rule applies with no grace at all. This isn't something to guess about — check your plan documents or ask HR directly which option (if any) applies, since it changes exactly how much urgency you actually have before the deadline.

What to Actually Do Before Year-End

Once you know your plan's rule, check your actual remaining balance and use it on eligible expenses — glasses, dental work, an eligible over-the-counter item — rather than letting a grace period or carryover lull you into assuming everything's covered. If your plan has neither exception, that balance needs to be spent before the plan year closes, not after.

Final Thoughts

An FSA rewards using it, not saving it. Knowing whether your plan gives you a grace period, a small carryover, or neither is what determines whether year-end is a non-issue or a real deadline — and it's worth knowing before December, not during it.