Faculty/Staff - NMU Events and Announcements

Faculty/Staff

The contribution limits for employees who participate in the voluntary 403(b) and/or 457(b) plans are increasing in 2025 from $23,000 to $23,500 while the catch-up contribution limit for employees age 50 and over who participate in these plans remains unchanged at $7,500. 

This means if you are under age 50 in 2025, the maximum amount you may contribute into your voluntary retirement plan is $23,500.  If you are age 50 or above, the maximum amount you may contribute is $31,000 ($23,500 plus $7,500 catch-up).  Employees interested in adjusting their retirement contribution amount should contact Kimberly Hongisto, Benefits and Onboarding Coordinator, at khongist@nmu.edu or phone x2470 and request a Salary Reduction Agreement.

Faculty/Staff

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is offering FREE webinars and meditations to support your Well-Being in November! 

Guided Meditations are offered LIVE on Wednesdays at 12pm EST.  Register here.  Not sure you'll be available at 12pm on Wednesday?  Needing a meditation right now instead?  Past meditations are available here.  

Well-Being Webinars are offered LIVE on Thursdays at 12pm EST.  Register here.  Past webinars are also available here. 

Anyone can attend.  You do not need to be on NMU's Medical coverage to access.  Set aside time for your well-being today.

Would a text message reminder be helpful?  

• Text BREATHE to 222764 to receive weekly reminders of Wednesday meditations.
• Text MOTIVATE to 222764 to receive weekly reminders of Thursday webinars.

Faculty/Staff

Upcoming Webinar Hello Heart, Goodbye Stress: Take Control of Your Heart Health

It’s normal to feel stressed every now and then, but chronic stress can significantly increase your risk of heart disease.

That’s why Hello Heart is inviting you to join our webinar on managing stress for better heart health. Hear from experts about the link between stress and the heart and get practical tips to help you improve your well-being.

Date: October 29, 2024

Time: 12:00 PM ET/9:00 AM PT

Click here to RSVP

Faculty/Staff

The Human Resources Department will hold its annual enrollment period beginning Monday, November 4th through Monday, November 11th.   This is your opportunity to enroll in the Flexible Spending Accounts for next year.  In addition if you, your spouse, or children are not currently enrolled in the medical, dental, or vision plans this is your chance to do so without needing to prove a Qualifying Event.  

The benefits effective date is January 1, 2025. Watch your e-mail on Monday, November 4th for specific details.  Questions may be directed to Heather Haupt, Director of Benefits, at x1030 or e-mail hleisner@nmu.edu or Kimberly Hongisto, Benefits & Onboarding Specialist, at x2470 or email khongisto@nmu.edu. 

Faculty/Staff

Register for TIAA’s live webinars to get financial information, news, and tips from our experts.  Reserve your spot by registering now at tiaa.org/webinars. These webinars are part of your retirement plan benefits.

November 5th at 12pm: Investing Essentials: 5 Principles to Invest with Confidence
Get a head start on smart, secure investing with simple principles.

November 7th at 2pm: Naming Your Beneficiaries: Why it Matters
TIAA will help you make an informed decision based on legal issues, financial goals, and personal wishes.  You can update your beneficiaries at any time in your TIAA online portal!

November 13th at 3pm: How to Get the Most From Your Employee Retirement Plan
Let’s talk about tips for optimizing your retirement savings. The decisions you make (or don’t make) can really add up in the future.

November 19th at 1pm: Family Wealth Education
Family wealth includes more than just economic resources. The plan should also contemplate your family’s values, experiences, and passions.

Faculty/Staff

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan members can score big savings on a variety of health-related products and services. If you are on NMU's medical insurance, you automatically have access to these discounts - just log in and take advantage of them through Blue Cross!

Member discounts with Blue365 offers exclusive deals on things like:

• Fitness and well-being: Fitness gear and gym memberships
• Healthy eating: Meal delivery kits and weight-loss programs
• Lifestyle: Travel and recreation

Start saving today! You can view a full list of discount offers from your Blue Cross member account. 

• Log in or register at bcbsm.com or the mobile app.
• Once you’re logged in, select Blue365® Rewards & Discounts from the Programs & Services menu.
• Scroll down to Blue365® Member Discounts and tap or click the button to link to the Blue365 site.

Happy Saving!

Faculty/Staff

Are you or a family member a recent graduate? If so, it’s almost time to make your first student loan payment!
After graduation, borrowers are automatically placed into a 6-month grace period, so starting this fall, many will enter repayment for the first time. To help recent graduates learn the ins and outs of student loans, we’ve partnered with Savi, a financial wellness benefit that will help you navigate the complexities so you can save time and money on your loans. 

As an employee of NMU, you can access Savi for free! Sign up for their upcoming webinar on October 29th at 2 p.m. ET, focused exclusively on helping borrowers enter repayment for the first time. 

Join to learn about:

• Guidance on determining who services your loans and how to set up your loan payments.
• An overview of federal repayment plans and how to choose the best option for your financial situation.
• Tips on budgeting to manage payments while balancing other financial goals.
• Information on income-driven repayment plans, loan forgiveness programs, and other relief options.
• How Savi can help you lower your monthly student loan payment and apply for loan forgiveness programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

You can also get started with Savi for free at NMU.BYSAVI.COM.

Faculty/Staff

The 403(b) retirement plan performance report for the 2nd quarter of 2024 is now available for viewing.  The report includes industry updates, market commentary and review, plan investment review, and fund fact sheets for the 403(b) retirement plan (TIAA).  Please visit MyNMU, Employee Services tab, and click on Retirement Plan Information.

Faculty/Staff

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is offering FREE webinars and meditations to support your Well-Being in October! 

Guided Meditations are offered LIVE on Wednesdays at 12pm EST.  Register here.  Not sure you'll be available at 12pm on Wednesday?  Needing a meditation right now instead?  Past meditations are available here.  Previous meditations include 'Acceptance of Self', 'Cleansing Rainfall for Inner Peace and Relaxation', and 'Nurturing Your Life's Garden'!

Well-Being Webinars are offered LIVE on Thursdays at 12pm EST.  Register here.  Past webinars are also available here.  Upcoming topics are: 'Breast Cancer Awareness Knowledge is Power', 'Sweeten Your Knowledge About Sugar', and 'Science-based Benefits of Hydration'.

Anyone can attend.  You do not need to be on NMU's Medical coverage to access.  Set aside time for your well-being today.

Faculty/Staff

Join Heather Haupt, NMU's Director of Benefits, for one of two Zoom sessions to gain: 

1. An understanding of why providers are leaving dental networks
2. What NMU is doing in response
3. Ways you can best position yourself to make your dental benefits work the hardest

The sessions will be identical so please join whichever is most convenient for you.  If neither time works, fear not; we'll record and share.  

Session 1 - Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 3pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://nmu.zoom.us/j/96677153360?pwd=6rrJEwYL7c3wskF3BnRO3w2sJW4rrX.1

Meeting ID: 966 7715 3360
Passcode: 010232

Session 2 - Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 12pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://nmu.zoom.us/j/97171978213?pwd=YE76kNvSFj7baLE5XV7LtdHWaVMGTX.1

Meeting ID: 971 7197 8213
Passcode: 840395