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Otter Tail County approves voluntary MetLife benefits for 2026 while holding employer contributions steady
Summary
Officials approved adding voluntary MetLife coverages (vision, short‑term disability, critical‑illness, accident and hospital) to secure PFML rate guarantees and agreed to keep 2026 employer contribution amounts unchanged after staff reported a 10% increase in health‑insurance renewals.
Otter Tail County commissioners on Oct. 14 approved new voluntary MetLife benefit options for 2026 and voted to maintain employer contribution levels for county employees.
Ryan Black, the county’s benefits administrator, told the board the county received final renewal numbers for 2026 open enrollment and that health‑insurance rates will increase about 10% while dental will rise roughly 5%. Black said the county remains in year one of a four‑year commitment with PEAP and that, despite the rise, staying with the plan remains the committee’s recommendation.
“To secure a rate guarantee for our PFML plan we need to add some additional lines of MetLife coverage,” Black said, listing vision, short‑term disability and supplemental health options including critical‑illness, accident and hospital coverages. He said all new lines would be voluntary and administered through MetLife.
Black also recommended carrying current employer contribution amounts into 2026 unchanged: legacy employees $1,420; non‑legacy $900; employee‑plus‑spouse/children $1,600; family $1,900. He told the board those levels would continue to split modest premium increases with employees.
Commissioners moved and approved the changes on a voice vote; the board also directed staff to provide employee education (a benefit expo is scheduled) so staff can evaluate whether short‑term disability purchases make sense relative to paid leave.
The action keeps the county on track for open enrollment and adds voluntary options intended to stabilize the county’s PFML pricing while preserving choice for employees.
