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  • February 2019

February 2019

Employee Benefits & Well-being - Human Resource Services
February Newsletter

UPCOMING EVENTS

Retirement Readiness: Retiring from UNI

Are you thinking about retiring in the next 5-10 years or less? Human Resource Services will host two informational sessions on retiring from UNI. Join us to assist you in planning ahead while learning the requirements and benefits available when retiring from UNI. All faculty and staff are welcome to attend. The hour long sessions will be presented by Chelsi Armstrong, Retirement Planning Coordinator, Human Resource Services: February 7 and 8 at noon in the State College Room MAU. Please register in advance.

Retirement Readiness: Paying Yourself - Income Options in Retirement

Human Resource Services will host two informational sessions on what your income options may be in retirement. Join us to learn the basic rules governing the most common retirement accounts, gain perspective on when to withdraw different assets, and discover the income choices TIAA offers. All faculty and staff are welcome to attend. The hour long sessions will be presented by TIAA: February 18 at 3 p.m. and February 19 at noon in the State College Room MAU. Please register in advance.

Retirement Readiness: SHIIP - Medicare 101

Human Resource Services will host two informational sessions presented by SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program). Learn the basics of Medicare and how to integrate healthcare into your retirement plan. All faculty and staff are welcome to attend. The hour long sessions will be held: March 4 at noon and March 5 at 3 p.m. in the State College Room MAU. Please register in advance.

My Well-being: Little Changes Add-up - Setting Yourself Up For Success

Human Resource Services will host a one hour informational session on small changes that may assist in weight management. Susie Roberts, with Employee and Family Resources, will present on understanding components of food labels, identifying ways to make grocery shopping easier, and following current dietary guidelines to make better food choices. This presentation will take place on February 26 at 1 p.m. in the State College Room MAU. Please register in advance.

My Well-being: Confidential Biometric Screening

Human Resource Services will host a confidential biometric screening on March 8 from 7 to 9 a.m. in 007/009 GIL. All benefit eligible employees may participate in one free biometric screening each academic year. For more information visit the confidential biometric screening webpage.


To register visit: https://uniemployeewellbeing.simplybook.me/

TIAA March Financial Wellness Webinars: Open to all Employees

  • March 7 - 11 a.m. to noon

    • Understanding the retirement decision

  • March 12 - 11 a.m. to noon

    • Social Security basics

  • March 12 - 2 to 3 p.m.

    • Gaining Insight: Navigating debt consolidation & understanding the mortgage process

  • March 13 - 11 a.m. to noon

    • Responsible investing (RI)

  • March 13 - 2 to 3 p.m.

    • Money at Work 1: Foundations of investing

  • March 14 - 11 a.m. to noon

    • Market-proof your retirement

  • March 14 - 2 to 3 p.m.

    • Postcards From the Future: A woman’s guide to financially ever after

To register visit: www.tiaa.org/webinars

HEADLINES

Financial Wellness

IPERS Members Nearing Retirement

IPERS will be hosting individual counseling sessions March 25-28 for those nearing retirement with questions on their IPERS accounts. Appointments do fill up quickly, please call early to reserve your time slot.


Meetings will be held at:

Central Rivers AEA

1521 Technology Pkwy

Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613


How to Register:

Call 1-800-622-3849

  • Please have your Member ID, Spouse’s Date of Birth(if married), and up to three (3) potential retirement dates ready for the Benefits Officer when you call.
  • IPERS will send out estimates prior to your appointment.
  • Please review the estimates and bring your questions to the meeting.
  • Appointments are 30 minutes and are by appointment only.

Flexible Spending Account Deadline for 2018

The last day to incur claims for your 2018 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is March 15, 2019. All claims must be submitted by March 31, 2019. Any remaining balances will be forfeited. Don't forget you may also use your remaining 2018 Health Care FSA balance by visiting FSAStore.com to purchase eligible items. If you have any questions about your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) email chelsi.armstrong@uni.edu.

FSA - Use it or lose it

IRS publications and forms for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

IRS Publication 502 Medical and Dental Expenses and Publication 503 Child and Dependent Care Expenses have been updated for the 2018 tax year. These publications provide guidance for individual taxpayers.


For those participating in the Dependent Care FSA plan:

The IRS Form 2441 Child and Dependent Care Expenses has also been updated. Form 2441 is for individual taxpayers who have qualifying dependent care expenses and must be filed with IRS Form 1040. These and other forms are available on asiflex.com under the "Useful Links" tab.

America Saves Week February 25-March 2, 2019

America Saves Week is coming!

If you’re like millions of other Americans, coming up with extra cash in an emergency presents a real challenge.


That’s why we’re inviting you to join America Saves Week — a national effort to encourage you to set a savings goal, make a savings plan, and save automatically. Join millions of others who – like you – are taking time this week to start or grow their savings.


It all starts when you make a commitment to yourself to save. Take the first step today and take the America Saves pledge to save money, reduce debt, and build wealth over time. America Saves will be there with you step by step, to keep you motivated with information, tips, and reminders to help you reach your savings goal. Think of it as your very own personal support system!


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Information received from the Digital Tool Kit

https://americasavesweek.org/


My Well-being

Take heart with fruits and vegetables this February

February is American Heart Month. Did you know the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S is heart disease? According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, twenty-five percent of deaths are caused by heart disease each year. The standard U.S. diet, that is high in processed foods and high in calories and fat, has largely been blamed for the high incidence of heart disease in the U.S.

food heart

There are parts of the world that have a very low incidence of heart disease. One region in particular, the Mediterranean, which is famously known for a heart healthy diet known as the Mediterranean diet. One study recently published in JAMA Network Open reported findings that the Mediterranean diet (or lifestyle) could lower the risk of heart disease in women by as high as 28%.


One area of the Mediterranean, Sardinia, Italy, was studied for its high number of centenarians (a person who is 100 or more years old) by Dan Buettner in his book, The Blue Zones. Interestingly, according to Buettner, in Sardinia, they do not practice the mediterranean diet, yet still live long and healthy lives. However, both the Sardinian diet and Mediterranean diet consume foods high in flavonoids. Put simply, flavonoids are “plant chemicals” that are found largely in fruits and vegetables.


The WW (formerly Weight Watchers) at Work program also promotes eating foods rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat and added sugars. On the program almost all fruits and vegetables have zero points. This allows individuals following the program to fill up on as many fruits and vegetables as needed. The American Heart association also recommends a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.


The conclusions seem pretty clear. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will: support a healthy heart, support a healthy weight, maintain healthy blood sugars, and help ward off a whole host of health conditions. Got plants?

Taking Ownership

Where should you go to the doctor?

Urgent Care, doctor’s offices, virtual doctors, and the ER, so many choices for care! Do you often wonder what the differences are among the options and where you should go? Did you know that members on our health plans significantly over utilize the emergency room for non-emergency situations compared to the Wellmark Book of Business? By utilizing each facility correctly you can save yourself, and the self-insured health plan money. Learn more about your health care options on the Health Care Choices For Services web page.

myWellmark® Has a New Look

A secure member website, myWellmark®, provides specific information regarding your UNI self-insured health plan. This website and mobile app allows you to:

  • Check and track claims
  • Get estimates for costs of care by using the cost estimator tool
  • Know coverage, cost, and benefits specific to your plan
  • Find an in-network doctor and patient reviews
  • Order new ID cards

Log in today and see the new myWellmark®. If you are not registered yet, use your new Wellmark ID to get started.


COMING IN MARCH

March 2019 Calendar