Human Resource Services

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  • July 2020

July 2020

Employee Benefits & Well-being - Human Resource Services

UPCOMING EVENTS

Retirement Readiness: What You Need to Know About Medicare and Medicare Supplements

Human Resource Services will host an informational session on the basics of Medicare and how to integrate healthcare into your retirement plan. Presented by SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) the hour long session will be held via Zoom on July 8 at 10 a.m. Please register in advance.

Retirement Readiness: Retiring from UNI

Human Resource Services will host an informational session on retiring from UNI for faculty and staff planning to retire soon or in the foreseeable future. Participants will learn guidelines and benefits available at retirement from UNI. This hour long session will be presented by Therese Callaghan, Employee Well-being Coordinator, via Zoom on July 14 at 10 a.m. Please register in advance.

Retirement Readiness: Social Security 101

Human Resource Services will host an informational session on Social Security benefits and preparing for retirement. Learn how Social Security benefits impact your retirement income, and strategies to maximize your benefits. The hour long session will be presented by John Morgan with AIG via Zoom on July 21 at 10 a.m. Please register in advance.

Retirement Readiness: Bridging the Gap: Healthcare in Retirement Before 65

Human Resource Services will host an informational session on bridging the gap from your employer health plan to Medicare. Learn how to use the Marketplace or healthcare.gov to price Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant plans, and options such as COBRA, Short Term Health Plans, Sharing Programs and Group Plans. The hour long session will be presented by Todd Cooper with Veridian, via Zoom on August 4 at 10 a.m. Please register in advance.

Participation in events that occur during scheduled working hours must be approved by your supervisor. Employees on a university-approved leave should contact hrs-leaves@uni.edu for approval. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UNI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact a benefits team member at 319-273-2954, or hrs-benefits@uni.edu, at least one week prior to the event.

TIAA Logo

TIAA July Financial Wellness Webinars

  • July 14 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST

    • Social Security Basics

  • July 14 | 2 to 3 p.m. CST

    • Halfway There: A Retirement Checkup

  • July 15 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST

    • Quarterly Economic and Market Update with TIAA’s Chief Investment Strategist

  • July 15 | 2 to 3 p.m. CST

    • Healthy Numbers: Integrating Healthcare Into Your Retirement Plan

  • July 16 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST

    • Making It Easier for You! Learn About Our Latest Online Tools and Resources.

  • July 16 | 2 to 3 p.m. CST

    • Lifetime Income: Marketproof Your Retirement

  • July 21 | 2 to 3 p.m. CST

    • Strategies for Staying on Track

TIAA webinars are open to all employees. To register visit: www.tiaa.org/webinars

Times through the webinar link will be shown in Eastern Standard Time.

Financial Wellness

Hot Summer Savings

The warmer weather provides the opportunity to enjoy the green outdoors but also allows additional ways to save some green. What’s good for your financial well-being can also be good for your physical well-being. Small things like hanging laundry outside, gardening, and riding a bike on your commute not only saves you money but also adds extra movement to your day. Here are a few suggested ways to save and move more each day.


Save on food:

  • Check out ads for savings on produce weekly. With fresh produce in season it allows for extra sales this time of year.
  • Visit local farmers markets. Supporting local helps the community and shopping outside with lots of healthy, fresh, and reasonably priced food in abundance supports your well-being.
  • Grow your own garden. You can start an herb garden any time. If you compare the price of fresh herbs to the price of a few seeds, you’ll harvest savings all season. Having fresh herbs on hand for cooking is sure to spice up any meal.

Save on washing your clothes:

  • Wash clothes in cold water.
  • Wash full loads to reduce your water and energy bill while saving you time too.
  • Hang laundry outside to dry. This will save on your energy bill and add a few extra steps in your day. Added bonus: Ultraviolet rays are a natural brightener for whites.

Save on cooling your home:

  • Use a programmable thermostat and set it as high as comfortable.
  • Consider turning the air conditioner off on cooler nights and opening the windows.
  • Use an away setting and set the thermostat higher when you are not home.

Save on transportation:

  • Ride a bike or walk to work and/or the store.

Save on gym memberships:

  • Put your membership on hold during the summer and exercise on the trails and/or public parks.
  • Do your own yard work and outdoor home projects yourself. Hiring out landscaping and yard work is expensive. Doing it yourself will save you money and provide a great workout in return. Win/Win!

Save on travel/vacation:

  • Visit local, state, or national parks. Admission may be free or minimal. Most state parks offer multiple activities like hiking, swimming, camping, canoeing/kayaking, ect. Exploring nature in any form is great for overall well-being and provides lots of movement.
  • Rent a campsite and stake a tent. Campsite rentals are far less than costly hotels. Bring your own meals for added savings. This also allows you to plan healthy snacks when you are on the go. Setting-up and taking down a tent also provides some added movement and feeling of achievement.
  • Plan a staycation. Take some time off to enjoy the parks and trails during the week when they are less busy. Or maybe you have a home project you’ve been wanting completed. Both are great ways to find some time to take a break from the norm, enjoy the summer weather, save some money, and add movement in your day.

My Well-being

Hot Weather & Hydration

Summer is perfect for outdoor activities and having some fun in the sun. With increased activity in the heat, it is important to remember to increase your intake of water. Water is essential for every function in our body. It is important to drink water regularly even when indoors. However, when we are outside in the heat we lose more fluids through sweat and more water is needed to maintain hydration. For additional information on how to avoid heat stress and maintain hydration check out this CDC guide to Heat Stress and Hydration.

In addition to drinking water what we eat can also assist with hydration. Eating fruits and vegetables not only provide important nutrient dense calories and fiber but also assists with hydration. Did you know watermelon is 92% water? A few other hydrating fruits and vegetables include cucumbers, pineapple, romaine lettuce, blueberries, broccoli, cantaloupe, and pears. In addition, you can add fruits and vegetables to your water to naturally add flavor and electrolytes. This is a great choice over high sugar sports drinks. Check out the water infused recipes provided by Wellmark. Be sure to carry a water bottle with you wherever you go and plan to stay hydrated this summer!

Citrus Water Chiller


Decked Out and Delicious

Island Refresher

Mellow Berry Water

Mojito Water

Summer Classics


Tropical H2O

Own Your Benefits

What Happens When Your Dependent Care Costs Change?

Dependent care costs can change at any time for a number of different reasons. It may be because you are newly enrolling your dependent in care, or withdrawing them from care. Due to these reasons you can make changes to the contributions to your dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA). For a listing of eligible reasons to change your DCFSA contributions outside of a qualified life event, as well as directions on how to make a change to your contributions, visit our webpage.

Recognizing Our Retirees

We are thankful for the service of all of UNI's retirees! With their consent we are able to celebrate their years of service and share their information with the entire campus community.

Rebecca Adams
Secretary III, Physics
33 Years of Service, Retiring in July

Anita Gordon
Research Ethics Director, Research & Sponsored Programs
14 Years of Service, Retiring in July anitagordon05@gmail.com

Karen Peterson
Secretary II, Health, Recreation & Community Services
25 Years of Service, Retiring in July karen.peterson2019@gmail.com

Michael Williams
Academic Support Specialist, Culture and Intensive English Program
19 Years of Service, Retired in June mike.williams@uni.edu

Retirement Readiness

Retirement Benefit Questions? The HRS Benefits Team is here to assist!

The Human Resource Services Benefits Team is continuing to help employees with retirement benefit questions. If you plan to retire in 2020 please email hrs-benefits@uni.edu or call 319-273-2423. For additional information on retirement visit Retiring from UNI.

Coming In August

August Calendar
Subscribe to HRS Latest News and Events

Be the first to hear the latest news and events from UNI Human Resource Services including benefits and well-being news. Subscribe to receive the HRS News emails right to your uni.edu email account.

Is Your Personal Information Up-to-Date?

To make changes to your office and/or home (confidential) contact information:

Login to MyUNIverse > My Page > Update My Personal Information. This information is sent to Human Resource Services and will be updated within four working days.

Human Resource Services Contact Information

Due to COVID-19 social distancing recommendations, Human Resource Services will not be accepting walk-ins.

Office hours will remain the same: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

General Questions
Call 319-273-2422 or send an
email to hrs-mail@uni.edu.

Benefit Questions
Call 319-273-2423 or send an
email to hrs-benefits@uni.edu.

Leave Questions
Call 319-273-6164 or send an
email hrs-leaves@uni.edu.

New Hires Needing to
Complete New Hire Paperwork

Call 319-273-2422 for further direction.

Merit Applications
Forms can be emailed to hrs-meritapplications@uni.edu, faxed to
319-273-2927, or slid under the
door of Gilchrist 027.

Medicare Part B Forms*
Ensure section A of the form is complete and slide under the door. HRS Benefits will reach out by phone or email when complete.

Benefit Self-Service Assistance
Call 319-273-2423 and we will assist
you while you are at an internet
enabled computer.

Other Benefit or
Insurance Related Forms*

Slide employer portions under the door. HRS Benefits will reach out by phone or email when complete.

*Please do not send personally identifiable information (e.g., social security numbers, birth dates, etc.) through email.

To contact a Human Resource Services staff directly, visit our Contact Us web page. If you are unsure who to contact, visit our About Us web page.

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