Employee Benefits & Well-Being
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Upcoming Sessions and Webinars You Don’t Want to Miss
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Change in EAP Vendor
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Enhancements to ASIFlex Mobile App
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2022 Annual Open Enrollment is Coming Up
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Plan to "Pro"tire
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If you still have a question after reading this newsletter or visiting our website, please contact us.
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COVID-19 and Your Benefits
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To view frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and your benefits, visit the Forward Together website.
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MY WELL-BEING
Free Annual Flu Vaccinations
UNI faculty and staff are eligible to receive a free flu vaccine each fall at one of the on-campus clinics. Family members may receive flu vaccinations from local pharmacies or their healthcare provider. It is recommended those who are able receive their vaccination annually to help prevent illness. For fall on-campus clinic locations, dates, and times and additional vaccine information visit the Free Annual Flu Vaccination webpage.
MY WELL-BEING
GuidanceResources® EAP Services Orientation
Human Resource Services will host two EAP orientations via Zoom. Learn more about the benefits and resources available to you through your EAP. Services include counseling for life challenges, life coaching, financial consultation, legal consultation, and eldercare and childcare resources and referral. These thirty minute sessions will take place on October 13 at 3:00 p.m. and October 20 at 10 a.m. Please register in advance.
FINANCIAL WELLNESS
Show Your Money Who's Boss
Employees are invited to attend a free workshop series in person on budgeting, eliminating debt, creating an emergency fund, and more. Brett Olsen, Associate Professor of Finance, will facilitate this series on Tuesdays in October (Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26) from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Gilchrist 009. Participants are asked to attend all four sessions and advanced registration is required.
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 sessions will be presented on October 13 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. by John Morgan with AIG. Please register in advance.
FINANCIAL WELLNESS
The Starting Line: Beginning to Save for Retirement
Human Resource Services will host an informational session on starting to save for retirement. This session provides a high-level view of the real effect of time on money and why saving today for your retirement is important. This session will also cover the differences of good and bad debt and how budgeting can help you save money. This TIAA led session will be offered on October 19 at 11:00 a.m. via webcast. 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 sessions will be presented by Todd Cooper with Veridian, via Zoom on October 27, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Please register in advance.
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TIAA October Financial Wellness Webinars
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- October 12 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST
Looking to Turn Your Retirement Savings into a "Paycheck" for Life?
- October 13 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST
Quarterly Economic and Market Update with TIAA’s Chief Investment Strategist
- October 13 | 2 to 3 p.m. CST
Paying Yourself: Income options in retirement
- October 14 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST
Within Reach: Transitioning from career to retirement
- October 14 | 2 to 3 p.m. CST
Be a Cyber-Hero: Help protect you, your family, and your money
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Times through the webinar link will be shown in Eastern Standard Time.
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"Pro"tirement
It's been said, "A good retirement is not about how much money you have saved. A good retirement is about what you have saved that money for." Early on in my career and being “green” I felt the need to gain experience, roll-up my sleeves, and dig-in. That included long hours, extra shifts, and weekends. It didn’t include much free time. I remember my first manager asking me when I planned to take vacation. Thinking I was a good employee and being honest, I responded that I had no plans. She told me to, "make plans!"
That piece of advice was my first at realizing the importance of making a life while earning a living. It’s also a great recipe to avoid work burnout. A part of that was planning time for the people in my life and experiencing new adventures through travel. It is a continued balancing act between work and life, but I’m to the point where I can recognize that someday I will retire. But when?
I have focused more on my savings and investments. Watching my money work for me. But how much will I need to be able to retire? A better question I am learning to focus on is what I am saving this money for? For me it’s the people in my life and travel that I hope to be key parts of my retirement. Ensuring that I have enough saved for these foundations in my life is how I plan to "Pro"tire someday. With some planning ahead you too can "pro"tire, and enjoy a well-rounded retirement. If you’re not sure if you’re on track, make an appointment with a TIAA Advisor.
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is a great time to brush up on your family history and increase awareness for yourself, and others, about breast cancer. It is very important to complete a self breast exam regularly as well as schedule and attend your annual preventive care exam. Preventive care exams, including mammograms and 3D mammograms, can often detect early signs of disease and illness. These appointments are 100% paid for by our UNI health insurance plans.
There are several Cedar Valley resources for those going through breast cancer as well as for caregivers, family, and friends who are supporting someone going through breast cancer. The Beyond Pink Team, which stands for We Take action, we Educate, we Advocate, we Make a difference, offers resources to those living with breast cancer. The Beyond Pink Team offers assistance in finding financial, physical, emotional, and caregiver support services.
Support groups meet once a month at the MercyOne Cancer Treatment Center in Waterloo for those who want to connect with others in similar situations. These discussions are led by oncology Social Workers.
Take a moment and think pink this October.
Save the Date for Mental Health
World Mental Health Day is October 10, 2021. The pandemic highlighted the need for everyone to take care of their mental health. The theme this year is “Mental Healthcare for All.” Here at UNI and in the Cedar Valley we have many resources available. Help make mental health a reality by taking care of your mental health, and encouraging others to do the same.
Farmers Market Still in Season
College Hill Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. through October 28th at our NEW location on 22nd Street between College St. and Olive St. It is a producer only market with a lot to offer including apples, mushrooms, a variety of fresh produce, plants, flowers, popcorn, healthy snacks, lamb, chicken, eggs, and more! If you don't have time to shop at the market in person you can order online. Pick-up your products curbside at the market tent on 22nd and Olive St. You don't have to leave your car!
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Employee Assistance Program
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Change in EAP Vendor
Effective October 1, 2021 the UNI Employee Assistance Program (EAP) vendor has changed to GuidanceResources®. Your benefits through EAP will remain the same and provide up to six in person counseling sessions per issue, per year, for assistance with life challenges. These may include crisis, health challenges, family concerns, marital issues, death/grieving, and work-related stress.
If you have already used your six sessions for the year through Employee & Family Resources (EFR), our previous EAP vendor (prior to September 30, 2021), you will now have an additional six sessions available to you through GuidanceResources®. If you are currently utilizing EAP sessions, you may finish your current six sessions as approved through EFR. There will be no disruption in services.
Toll-free access is available 24/7/365 for counseling and crisis intervention by master’s-level clinicians for UNI employees, their families, and members of their household. You may also utilize the UNI specific portal, by registering and creating an account. Use the Organizational Web ID: UNI. Additional services include Legal, Financial, Familycare, and Life Coaching Services. All services can be accessed through calling 1-855-784-2057.
Please share this new phone number with your family and household members. Watch for additional communication to be sent to your home address with Benefits Open Enrollment materials. For additional information visit our EAP webpage.
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Enhancements to ASIFlex Mobile App
ASIFlex, UNI’s flexible spending account (FSA) vendor, has enhanced their mobile app so that users can more easily:
- Check account balances and contributions.
- Submit and track claims from anywhere, anytime.
- Track and submit for mileage for medical appointments.
- View previously submitted claims.
The free app is available on the App Store for Apple devices and the Google Play for Android devices. Visit our webpage to learn more about eligible expenses, the ASIFlex debit card, and how much you can save using the tax savings calculator.
2022 Annual Open Enrollment is Coming Up
The 2022 Annual Benefits Open Enrollment period will run from Monday, November 1 through Tuesday, November 30, 2021. During this time you may review and change your benefit elections. Any changes made to your benefit elections will be effective January 1, 2022. Watch for an email announcement on November 1 as well as an informational mailing that will be sent to your home address later this month.
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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.
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Katrinka Carpenter
Secretary III, Political Science
37 Years of Service, Retiring in October
mrmoose716@yahoo.com
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Michael Fay
Utility Plant Operator III, Utilities & Power Plant
20 Years of Service, Retiring in October
fayzar55@gmail.com
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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 2021 please email
hrs-benefits@uni.edu or call 319-273-2423. For additional information on retirement visit Retire from UNI: Next Steps.
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Stay Up-to-Date with HRS Events
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Plan on attending an upcoming Human Resource Services (HRS) sponsored event? Please visit the HRS event status webpage to view if the event is on-time, postponed, rescheduled, or canceled. Registered participants will also receive an email from HRS notifying that an event status has changed.
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Subscribe to HRS Latest News and Events
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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.
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Is Your Personal Information Up-to-Date?
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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.
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