Benefits

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

Traditional Medical Plans

Bremer offers two traditional health insurance plans, through Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN and HealthPartners. Each has the same design and benefit levels with the expanded provider network of two insurance companies. These traditional plans have lower out-of-pocket and deductible levels offered at competitive employee premium rates.

High Deductible Healthcare Plan

Bremer's high deductible medical plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN 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).

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 2019, Bremer contributes up to $500 for employee only coverage; and up to $1,000 for employee +1 or family coverage.

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.

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.

Lee Frigen Employee Development Fund

Named after a former employee, this company paid employee development fund awards grants, after review by an employee committee, for learning and development opportunities that support deepening expertise in areas related to our strategic priorities and our industry.

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.

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.

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.

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

Learn to Live is an online resource for employees who are struggling with stress, depression, sleeplessness, social anxiety or other issues. It provides help anywhere, any time with programs built on the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). All benefit-eligible employees enrolled in one of Bremer’s medical plans, as well as their dependents age 13 and older, can enroll in any Learn to Live interactive program at no cost.

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.