Benefits & Well-being Newsletter
What You Need to Know
Sip Into Summer Winners
Congratulations to Kelby Homeister and Priyanka Jha, the winners of our Sip Into Summer challenge!
Please stop by the Human Resource Services office (027 Gilchrist) to pick up your Hydro Flask water bottle.
Thank you to everyone who participated and made this challenge a success. Keep the momentum going by joining the two remaining challenges still underway. Learn more on our Employee Well-being Challenges webpage.
Cedar Valley Corporate Games
The countdown is on! The 2026 Cedar Valley Corporate Games begin in just two weeks. Have you signed up to represent Team UNI?
All UNI employees are eligible to participate as Team UNI takes on other businesses from across the Cedar Valley in the 2026 Cedar Valley Corporate Games.
Every participant helps UNI climb the leaderboard and compete for the coveted Corporate Cup. Get involved, connect with coworkers, and show your Panther pride.
Register Now!
Ready to represent UNI? Registration is required to participate.
- Go to the Cedar Valley Corporate Games registration site.
- Select New Users: Register Here to create your account.
- Enter Company Code: CVCGUNI
- Sign-up for your favorite events and start earning points for Team UNI.
Need help? Review this guide.
Choose Your Challenge(s)
| Event | Details | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Donation Individual Event | Now - July 31 LifeServe Blood Center | Click to Register |
| Nature Walk Individual Event | July 15 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Big Woods Recreation Center | Click to Register |
| Pickleball Team Event | July 19 | 9 a.m. Orchard Hill Park | Click to Register |
| Basketball | 3 on 3 Team Event | July 23 | 5:40 p.m. Cedar Valley SportsPlex | Click to Register |
| Cycling Trail Ride Individual Event | July 26 | 1 - 3 p.m. SingleSpeed Brewing Cedar Falls | Click to Register |
| Bags Team Event | July 28 | 5:30 p.m. River Place Plaza | Click to Register |
| Yoga Individual Event | July 30 | 5:30 p.m. River Place Plaza | Click to Register |
| Disc Golf Team Event | August 1 | 9:30 a.m. Big Woods Disc Golf Course | Click to Register |
| Speed Puzzle Team Event | August 4 | 6 p.m. Island Park Beach House | Click to Register |
Important Reminders
- Participation is completely FREE.
- Show your Panther pride by wearing purple and representing Team UNI at CVCG events.
- Events are divided into Team and Individual categories:
- Team Events: Participation is limited, so please register only if you are able to attend.
- Individual Events: Unlimited participation, everyone is welcome to join. Family and friends are encouraged to participate, but only registered CVCG participants will earn points for Team UNI.
Gather your coworkers and help Team UNI bring the Corporate Cup to campus!
Don't Forget Your FSA This Summer
Did you elect a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2026? Remember, you can submit eligible claims throughout the year, you don't need to wait until right before the March 31, 2027 deadline.
Summer is a great time to take advantage of your FSA dollars. Many over-the-counter items are eligible for reimbursement, including sunscreen and allergy medications. To see a complete list of eligible expenses, visit the ASIFlex website.
If you participate in a Dependent Care FSA, you may also be able to use your funds for eligible summer day camps. Many all-day summer camps qualify as an eligible dependent care expense. Be sure to review the Dependent Care FSA eligible expenses listing for details and a complete list of qualifying expenses.
Don't forget to use the funds you've set aside to help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses throughout the year.
Get to Know UNI Works
- Login to UNI Works.
- Use the search bar to enter the employee's name.
- Select the correct employee from the search results.
- On the employee's profile page, look to the left side of the screen beneath their name and job title.
- Click Phone or Email to view the employee's contact information.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Description | Registration |
|---|---|---|
SHIIP: Welcome to Medicare Seminar 7/1 | 5 - 6 p.m. | MercyOne Hospital Waterloo | New to Medicare or planning ahead? Join SHIIP for this in-person seminar covering the basics of Medicare. The seminar will be held at MercyOne Hospital in Waterloo (3421 W. 9th St.). To register, call 319-272-7857. | Click for More Information |
IPERS Retirement Benefits Workshop 7/7 | 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 |
TIAA: Investing for Beginners: Start Your Wealth Journey 7/7 | 10 -10:30 a.m. | Virtual | Starting your career can be exciting–but it can also feel overwhelming. The financial foundation you build today can shape your future for years to come. In this session, you’ll cover foundational skills to help you manage money with confidence, build healthy financial habits, and plan for the long term. You’ll learn:
| Click to Register |
TIAA: Quarterly Economic and Market Update 7/9 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Virtual | Hear from the experts in our Wealth Chief Investment Office about key drivers of the markets and economy that are impacting investors. They’ll share views on:
| Click to Register |
IPERS Retirement Benefits Workshop 7/21 | 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 |
TIAA: Steps to Help Secure Your Income in Retirement: A Mid Career Check-In 7/22 | 11 - 11:30 a.m. | Virtual | Take stock of where you are at this critical checkpoint and use retirement-saving strategies to better balance competing financial priorities. | Click to Register |
Walk, Talk & Connect Every Tuesday & Friday | noon | Campanile | Join fellow faculty and staff for a refreshing campus walk that supports both your physical and mental well-being. Add up to 2,000 steps to your day, enjoy meaningful conversations, and build connections with colleagues from across campus, all while taking a healthy break from your routine. | Click for More Information |
Retirement Education Opportunities
Explore TIAA and IPERS educational resources designed to help you prepare with confidence.
IPERS
View upcoming events and online workshops to prepare for your retirement with help from IPERS, Iowa's largest public retirement system.
TIAA
Essentials by TIAA gives you the tools, tips, and confidence to make everyday money decisions with lasting impact.
Did You Know?
This UNI Benefit Helps You Protect Your Family for Free
Principal Financial Group, UNI’s life and long-term disability provider, offers free will and legal document preparation services. Employees, their dependents, and beneficiaries have access to tools provided by ARAG Services LLC to create important legal documents at no cost.
Available documents include a will, living will, healthcare power of attorney, and other essential legal forms designed to help ensure your wishes are clearly documented.
To learn more, visit the Will Preparation Services webpage.
Monthly Motivator
Strong social connections don’t just make life more enjoyable, they’re essential to your overall well-being. This month, Employee & Family Resources (EFR) is sharing fun, simple challenge ideas designed to get you out of your routine and back to connecting with friends, family, and your community.
Recognizing Our Retirees
Gregory Bruess
Associate Dean and Professor | College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
37 Years of Service, Retiring in July
Gregory.Bruess@uni.edu
Donald Hayungs
Manager Learning Technologies | IT-Educational Technology and Media Services
32 Years of Service, Retiring in July
Todd.Hayungs@uni.edu
DeWayne Purdy
Manager Electronic Communications | IT-Client Services
29 Years of Service, Retiring in July
Leslie Wilson
Dean and Professor | Wilson College of Business
40 Years of Service, Retiring in July
Elizabeth Zwanziger
Associate Professor | Languages and Literatures
23 Years of Service, Retired in June
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.