Optum Transportation and Parking FSA

Commuter benefits

Take the cost out of commuting Commuter benefits save you money on your work commute by letting you pay for transit expenses with pre-tax money. From subway passes to parking passes, you can commute with more money in your pocket.

Here’s how much you can save Since your contributions are pre-tax, the more you contribute, the more you save.

The IRS sets annual limits. For example, in 2024 you could set aside $315 dollars pre-tax each month for eligible transit expenses.

If that’s your standard monthly spend, that adds up fast to $1,121 or more each year.

Eligible expenses

Example

Monthly transit expenses

$315

Combined federal and Social Security taxes

29.65%

Estimated monthly savings

$93

Estimated yearly savings

$1,121*

* Assuming 22% federal income tax and 7.65% FICA. Results and amount will vary depending on your particular circumstances.

Set aside pre-tax dollars for work transportation costs

Cover buses, trains, parking and more

Lower your daily costs

That’s huge savings back in your pocket, just for getting yourself to work.

How does it work?

You have options — choose which works best for you: Option 1 Use a reloadable, prepaid card to make transit payments

Option 2 Purchase a transit pass and we’ll mail it to you each month

Option 3 Receive a voucher to purchase a transit pass

What else can I do with my benefits?

Your employer may also include parking benefits, which adds in an additional $315 in pre-tax contributions per month, giving you twice the savings opportunities. This covers parking at or near your work, as well as parking at a location where you’re connecting to another form of transportation.

Ready to enroll?

Enrolling in Commuter Benefits is quick and easy because it’s built into your employer’s benefit options. Review your materials today so you don’t miss your chance to sign up chance to sign up.

Need more time to learn?

Scan the QR code, or go to optum.com/CommuterBenefits, to see how you can save.

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs), dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), Commuter and Parking Benefits, Tuition Assistance Plans, Adoption Assistance Plans, Surrogacy Assistance Plans, Wellness Benefits, and Lifestyle Accounts (collectively, “Employer-Sponsored Plans”) are administered on behalf of your plan sponsor by Optum Financial, Inc. or ConnectYourCare, LLC, and are subject to eligibility and restrictions. EmployerSponsored Plans are not individually owned and amounts available under the Employer-Sponsored Plan are not FDIC insured.

This communication is not intended as tax or legal advice. Consult a legal or tax professional for advice on eligibility, tax treatment, and restrictions. Please contact your plan administrator with questions about enrollment or plan restrictions. © 2024 Optum, Inc. All rights reserved. WF13593123 321258-042024 OHC

Commuter benefits Frequently asked questions

Costs associated with transportation to work can add up.

With commuter benefits, you can save income tax-free to cover expenses like subway fares, train tickets and parking.

Find out how it works with answers to frequently asked questions.

What do commuter benefits cover?

They cover a variety of eligible transportation expenses for traveling to work, including trains, buses, subways, ferries, vanpools and commuter highway vehicles. Some plans also include work-related parking costs.

Noneligible costs include tolls, expenses for dependents, private Uber or Lyft rides, and UberX Share rides.

Can I order the same pass I already use?

Yes. We offer more than 100,000 different types of commuter- and parking-related options to support transit and parking authorities around the country.

How much can I save?

In 2024, the IRS lets you set aside $315 pre-tax each month for transit expenses.

Assuming a tax rate of up to 30%, the average commuter can save up to $1,121 per year.¹ Eligible expenses

Example

Monthly transit expenses

$315

Combined federal and Social Security taxes

29.65%

Estimated monthly savings

$93

Estimated yearly savings

$1,121²

1. Savings compared using pre-tax income in your commuter benefits account to using after-tax income for purchases and assumes up to a 30% combined tax rate from all applicable federal, state and FICA taxes. Results and amount will vary depending on your circumstances.

2. Assuming 22% federal income tax and 7.65% FICA. Results and amount will vary depending on your particular circumstances.

If my plan covers parking, how does that work?

How can I make changes to my orders?

The benefit covers parking at or near your work, as well as parking at a location where you’re connecting to another form of transportation. You can set aside an additional $315 in pre-tax contributions per month on parking expenses, which is a completely separate amount from the $315 for transportation expenses. (Added bonus: This potentially offers twice the amount of yearly savings, totaling up to $2,242.)

You can do it all online. After you place your order, you can make changes or cancel it, up until your order deadline.

How do I start?

Do I have to remember to place an order each month?

You can do it all, quickly and easily, from your online commuter dashboard. Simply sign in to your online account, click the “Commuter” tab and click the button to manage your commuter benefits. Here you can place orders for commuter products, view any credit amounts, load funds onto a transit card, manage all transactions, access account notifications and set up recurring orders.

Do I have to decide during my enrollment period if I want this benefit?

A big advantage of this benefit is flexibility.

You can jump into the Commuter Benefits program anytime. There’s no requirement to sign up during enrollment, and you can contribute as much as you want, up to the IRS limit.

Ready to enroll?

Enrolling in Commuter Benefits is quick and easy because it’s built into your employer’s benefit options. Review your materials today so you don’t miss your chance to sign up.

How do I know my deadlines for ordering?

Order deadlines are prominently displayed on the home page of the Commuter portal.

No. You can set up your order to automatically process each month. We’ll send you an email each month to remind you of your order and prompt you to make changes if necessary.

Is there a way to use a prepaid card?

Yes. We offer a prepaid card that makes it incredibly easy. Use it at ticket kiosks, when ordering on your phone and when making purchases directly from a transit or parking provider.

Need more time?

Scan the QR code, or go to optum.com/CommuterBenefits, to see how you can save.

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs), dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), Commuter and Parking Benefits, Tuition Assistance Plans, Adoption Assistance Plans, Surrogacy Assistance Plans, Wellness Benefits, and Lifestyle Accounts (collectively, “Employer-Sponsored Plans”) are administered on behalf of your plan sponsor by Optum Financial, Inc. or ConnectYourCare, LLC, and are subject to eligibility and restrictions. Employer-Sponsored Plans are not individually owned and amounts available under the Employer-Sponsored Plan are not FDIC insured.

This communication is not intended as tax or legal advice. Consult a legal or tax professional for advice on eligibility, tax treatment, and restrictions. Please contact your plan administrator with questions about enrollment or plan restrictions. © 2024 Optum, Inc. All rights reserved. WF13593123 321261-042024 OHC