Benefits

Eligible employees have the choice between two medical plans because we know that your health and the health of your family is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Bremer offers two Medical Plans with the options to enroll as employee only, employee +1 or family, or to waive coverage. Eligible employees can also choose between a national network option a narrow network option that may reduce your medical premium costs. In-network preventive care is covered at 100% under all plans at no additional cost.

Traditional Medical Plans

Bremer offers a traditional health insurance plan through Medica. The traditional plan has a have lower out-of-pocket and deductible level, including office co-pays offered at competitive employee premium rates.

High Deductible Healthcare Plan

Bremer's high deductible medical plan through Medica offers lower monthly employee premiums and higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Employees who enroll in the High Deductible plan are eligible to receive a contribution from Bremer to a Health Savings Account (HSA).

Bremer offers a dental plan with the option to enroll as employee only, employee +1 or family. Under the plan, coverage is provided for routine cleanings, preventative care; major care and orthodontia for dependents 18 or younger.

Health Savings Account

When an employee enrolls in the High Deductible healthcare plan, Bremer also contributes to the employee’s Health Savings Account (HSA) to help cover eligible health care expenses. For example, in 2021, Bremer contributes up to $1,000 for employee only coverage; and up to $2,000 for employee +1 or family coverage. These are pro-rated based on hire date.

Limited Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

The Limited FSA available to employees who enroll in the High Deductible Plan, is designed to help specifically with vision and dental expenses by allowing employees to save on a pre-tax basis for these types of expenses.

Healthcare FSA

Bremer's Health Care FSA allows employees to set aside money on a pre-tax basis through payroll deduction to help pay for eligible healthcare-related expenses.

Dependent Care (Childcare) FSA

Bremer's Dependent Care FSA allows employees to set aside money on a pre-tax basis through payroll deduction to help pay for eligible childcare expenses.

Bremer automatically covers employee insurance for eligible employees in an amount equal to the annual base salary, up to a maximum of $500,000. This coverage includes accidental death and dismemberment coverage (AD&D). 

Employees have the option to purchase additional life and AD&D insurance up to either 3 times annual salary or a maximum of $500,000. Employees may also elect to purchase additional life insurance for spouses and children.

Bremer employees have the option to purchase additional insurance through our partnership with Unum, including any or all of the following: Critical Illness with Cancer Insurance, Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance and Whole Life with a Longer Term Care Rider. These benefits are offered to new hires and to all employees annually during open enrollment.

We know how important it is to get started on the right foot with a new company. Bremer provides comprehensive new employee orientation and onboarding for every new member of the Bremer team.

Annual Bonus Plans

One of the most unique benefits at Bremer is that every position is covered by one of our annual incentive plans. Our annual bonus plan rewards based on how well goals are met at the individual, regional/departmental and company levels. Eligibility and targeted percentage of salary are based on position.

401(k) Plan

Bremer offers employees the option to save for retirement with tax-deferred money through the company’s 401(k) plan. Employees may contribute from 0% to 75% of their base pay in any whole percentage up to the regulatory contribution level defined for that year.

Bremer matches up to 100% of the first 5% of employee contributions. Bremer’s matching contribution is calculated and deposited each pay period, based on corresponding employee contributions during that same period. Employee contributions are always 100% vested. Bremer’s contribution is vested gradually over five years of eligible service as defined by the plan.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Bremer’s ESOP Plan provides employees the opportunity to own Bremer Stock. Employees who meet requirements become eligible on the first day of the quarter after reaching age 21 and completing 30 days of service. Employees become vested in the ESOP Plan gradually over five years of eligible service as defined by the plan.

Bremer Retirement Plan (Pension Plan)

Our company-sponsored pension plan provides employees a pension benefit in retirement. Employees automatically become plan participants on either January 1 or July 1 after meeting the eligibility requirements. Employees do not need to enroll in the plan or make contributions. To receive the pension benefit, employees must be vested in the plan, which occurs after five years of service as defined by the plan.

Company-Paid Educational Assistance

Bremer’s Education Assistance Program provides employees the opportunity to pursue degree programs to expand knowledge and skills for both current and future roles. The program is available to all full and part-time, benefit-eligible employees who have completed 90 days of continuous service.

Internal Leadership Development

Bremer offers several internal opportunities via classroom, online and seminar-based learning in the areas of leadership at all levels - personal, team and enterprise leadership.

Internal Learning Opportunities

Bremer offers many optional and required learning opportunities in the areas of relationship management, banking, safety and security, compliance, regulatory and policy requirements.

We know taking time away from work periodically to refresh is critical in order to maintain energy, commitment and creativity. Employees earn from 15 to 30 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year, depending on job grade and tenure with Bremer.

Bremer designates 10 paid holidays each year (in addition to PTO!).

Additional paid time off can include:

• Purchased PTO: For those years when you know more time off is needed, up to 5 additional PTO days can be purchased during the annual benefits enrollment period.
• Volunteer Time Off: Employees receive up to 8 hours of paid time off to volunteer during work hours each year. This paid time is intended to support volunteerism above and beyond company sponsored events, including engaging with and developing awareness of other cultures.

Bremer also provides time off for jury duty and bereavement/funeral leave.

Extended Disability Leave (EDL) Pay

For time away from work due the employee's physician approved health related absence of more than 3 days, Bremer provides EDL days to provide pay continuation. The EDL benefit is earned over time by eligible employees and can be banked up to a maximum number of hours.

Short-Term Disability Leave

The Short-Term Disability (STD) benefit offers added salary protection during longer leaves of absence due to an employee's health related absence, providing employees a progressively lower percentage of pay for up to six months.

Long-Term Disability

Bremer offers a Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefit as an additional layer of salary protection when an employee’s extended leave of absence exceeds the STD coverage period. Employees select LTD coverage on an annual basis at the time of open enrollment.

Bremer understands the importance of bonding with new or adopted children. We provide two weeks of additional paid leave to mothers and fathers.

Bremer’s Employee Dependent Scholarship Program is available to dependent children (up to age 25) of current full and part-time, benefit-eligible employees with a minimum of one year of service upon the application deadline date. The program awards financial assistance ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 for study at an accredited two or four-year college, university, vocational/technical school or graduate school.

Our values - Commitment, Creativity, Collaboration - are not just words, they are the words we live by. The culture of Bremer, long rooted in the vital importance of relationships, is sustained by every person who works at Bremer and is enriched by each new employee who joins.

Employee engagement is valued and taken seriously at Bremer. Each year every employee is invited to complete our annual engagement survey. The executive team, along with leaders across the company, study the results and implement plans based on employee feedback.

Bremer has two active employee resource groups: Women Influencing & Networking (WIN) and Fusion. Both groups are open to all employees and are dedicated to promoting inclusion and diversity.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Bremer EAP offers education, awareness and assistance to employees on a number of topics related to work and personal life. This Bremer-paid benefit is available to employees and their family members at no-cost for the basic elements of the program.

Wellness Programs

Bremer is committed to employee and workplace wellness and offers a variety of programs ranging from healthy eating to workstation ergonomics.

Mental Health Wellness

Medica provides a free, online resource for employees who are struggling with stress, depression, sleeplessness, social anxiety or other issues. 

Fitness Club Discount

Employees who participate in one of Bremer’s medical plans are eligible for a $20 monthly credit on their dues at participating fitness centers.

Official recognition programs

Our CEO Roundtable program recognizes approximately 20 employees from across the company each year. These leaders are selected by the CEO, and they spend a year in dialogue about our customers, our industry, our company and the future.

Managers are empowered to recognize outstanding individual and team efforts with Exceptional Performance Awards, which are paid as a cash bonus.

We also recognize employees with length-of-service awards. As employees reach significant employment milestones, we like to pause, say thank you and celebrate these important moments.

Peer and team shout-outs

Everyone in the company is encouraged to celebrate peers and partners for going above and beyond. We make it easy with a system of electronic shout-outs that are posted so that everyone across Bremer can keep up with the great work being done at Bremer.

Flexible work environment

Our work environment offers something for everyone from customer-facing technology that allows our bankers to meet customers at their location to office space that is open, supports collaboration and offers flexibility for quiet, private space as needed.