Benefits & Well-being Newsletter
What You Need to Know
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health. It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between everyday stress and signs of something more serious. Being aware of changes in ourselves and others, and recognizing warning signs early, can make a meaningful difference.
Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is here to help and has made accessing support easier than ever. Employee & Family Resources (EFR) has created a Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit with helpful information and practical tools. You can also visit our supporting services webpage to explore additional resources available for you and your loved ones.
Your iPhone Can Do This? Never Forget Your Insurance Card Again.
Adding your Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield ID card to your Apple Wallet offers a convenient and secure way to carry your health insurance information wherever you go. Instead of keeping a physical card on hand, members can access their digital ID directly from their iPhone, making it easier to present coverage details at doctor visits, pharmacies, or other healthcare services.
Apple users, log into your myWellmark App today to check this feature out. Once logged in, tap on “ID cards” directly beneath Quick Links. Look for the “Add to Apple Wallet” button.
Get to Know UNI Works
Did you know that if you’re enrolled in the TIAA or IPERS retirement plan, you have another easy way to grow your retirement savings? A Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) lets you put aside additional money for your future, on your terms. Unlike many retirement options, TDAs are flexible and convenient: you can start, change, or stop contributions at any time during the year. Even small contributions today can make a big difference tomorrow. Best of all, it’s your money, invested for your future, the way you choose.
How to Enroll in a Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA)
- Login to UNI Works.
- From the Menu, click on Benefits and Pay.
- Click on the Change Retirement Savings button.
- Enter the date you’d like to begin contributing to a TDA (TDA’s can begin at any time, no life event needed).
View the Enroll in or Change Your TDA Job Aid (User Guide) for more information.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Description | Description |
|---|---|---|
IPERS Retirement Benefits Workshop 5/5 | 9 - 10 a.m. | Virtual | This virtual presentation will share details for members about their IPERS retirement benefits, share how to apply to retire, and show how to use My Account. | Click to Register |
EFR: Shatter to Grow: Name What's Holding You Back 5/5 | 10 a.m. | Virtual | Life doesn’t always go as planned. Sometimes, the experiences that shape us can leave us feeling stuck without fully understanding why. Join us for this special webinar with EFR trainer and board member, Jim Wichman. He will share his personal story of the difficult childhood experiences that kept him stuck and the moments that helped him begin to move forward. | Click to Register |
Medicare 101: What You Need to Know Before You Enroll 5/6 | 9 - 10:30 a.m. | Gilchrist 009 | Confused by all of the parts of Medicare, deadlines and coverage options? You’re not alone. This session cuts through the confusion and gives you the clear, practical Medicare basics you need before enrolling. | Click to Register |
TIAA Roth: A Game-Changer for Your Retirement 5/7 | 10 - 11 a.m. | Gilchrist 009 | Did you know that if you’re enrolled in the TIAA or IPERS retirement plan, you have another easy way to grow your retirement savings? A Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) lets you put aside additional money for your future, on your terms. Unlike many retirement options, TDAs are flexible and convenient: you can start, change, or stop contributions at any time during the year. Even small contributions today can make a big difference tomorrow. Best of all, it’s your money, invested for your future, the way you choose. Interested in learning more about TDAs and the after-tax Roth option? | Click to Register |
TIAA: Money Psychology: Beyond the Numbers 5/7 | 10 a.m. | Virtual | Explore how emotions and habits shape money choices, and how to align them with your goals. | Click to Register |
New Hire Orientation 5/13 | 8:05 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. | Gilchrist 009 | New Hire Orientation is scheduled monthly to assist and welcome Merit and P&S staff to UNI. This session provides the opportunity for staff to learn about the university's history, mission, policies and procedures, as well as employee benefits. | Click to Register |
TIAA: Finance for New Grads 5/19 | 11 a.m. | Virtual | Build smart money habits early—learn to budget wisely, manage benefits, and plan for long-term success. | Click to Register |
Weekly Campus Walk Every Friday | noon | Campanile | Faculty and staff, join your colleagues by walking your way to a healthier you on a weekly campus walk. Promote your physical and mental health by adding up to 2,000 steps into your day, and connect with others across campus. | Click to Register |
Retirement Education Opportunities
Explore TIAA and IPERS educational resources designed to help you prepare with confidence.
View upcoming events and online workshops to prepare for your retirement with help from IPERS, Iowa's largest public retirement system.
Essentials by TIAA gives you the tools, tips, and confidence to make everyday money decisions with lasting impact.
Did You Know?
EFR at the Professional Development Conference
Want to learn more about your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)? Come say hi!
- Where: Professional Development Conference @ Schindler Education Center
- When: May 21 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Find the Employee & Family Resources (EFR) table and discover everything your EAP can do for you.
Resources to Help You Thrive
UNI Employee Well-being is dedicated to helping employees achieve their healthiest, happiest selves. True well-being goes beyond physical health; it means living a balanced, fulfilling, and meaningful life.
Through a variety of free services and benefits, UNI Employee Well-being supports your physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Whether you want to increase your fitness, manage stress, or feel more energized each day, we’re here to help you on your journey to total well-being.
Where do you stand on your well-being journey? We’d love to hear from you. Take our Healthy Habits for Life survey today!
Be sure to visit our webpage to discover all the resources and opportunities available through the program.
Monthly Motivator
We spend so much time trying to improve our physical health, but when was the last time you did something to strengthen your brain and mental well-being? The good news: it doesn’t take much. Small daily habits can have a powerful impact on anxiety, depression, sleep, focus, and overall brainpower. Ready for a reset? Take on these simple challenges this month and discover how little changes can lead to big results.
Recognizing Our Retirees
Ruther Dixon
Secretary II | Housing and Dining
36 Years of Service, Retiring in May
Questions?
We encourage you to visit hrs.uni.edu/your-benefits for answers to common questions. If you are unable to find what you need, please contact the Human Resource Services Benefits Team at hrs-benefits@uni.edu.