Faculty/Staff - NMU Events and Announcements

Faculty/Staff

The March issue of the Personal Best/HOPE Health newsletter has arrived.  Please take a moment for yourself to read and enjoy this issue, and remember to share it with your family members!  Of interest in this issue:  

• Dietitian's Grocery List
• Daylight Saving Time and Your Health
• How's Your Sleep?
• And MUCH more!

You may also find this issue and previous months on the HR mental health and wellness resources site.  Be sure to scroll all the way down the page to the Additional Resources section. While you’re on the site, check out the wide range of wellbeing resources available to you!

Faculty/Staff

TIAA, Northern Michigan University, and Savi are teaming up to help student loan borrowers better
understand and manage their student loans. Savi is a free, online tool that allows borrowers to discover
eligibility for reduced monthly loan payments and loan forgiveness options.

• If you’re interested in hearing more, we encourage you to join the next Savi and TIAA free educational
  (and interactive!) bi-monthly webinar, designed to help borrowers:
• Learn about student loan policy updates and what they mean for you
• Get started with the Savi tool
• Review repayment and forgiveness options like Income-Driven Repayment Plans and Public
• Service Loan Forgiveness
• Get answers to all of your student debt questions - no matter how big or small!

The next webinar is on January 31, at 12:00 PM EST – Click here to register

Want to learn more about Savi in advance? Click here to take the free assessment to see if you can save
money on your loans or determine your eligibility for forgiveness programs.

Faculty/Staff

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

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 'Easy Breathing', 'Letting Go', 'Embracing Change', and 'Setting Intentions for the New Year along Lake Superior'!

Well-Being Webinars are offered LIVE on Thursdays at 12pm EST.  Register here.  Past webinars are also available here.  Previous webinars include 'Clear the Clutter, Clear the Mind', 'Using the Power of Radical Acceptance', 'Reflective Writing', and more!

Anyone can attend.  You do not need to be on NMU's Medical coverage to access.  

Faculty/Staff

If your family is changing, make sure to partner with your Benefits Team!  

Family status changes must be reported to the Human Resources Department no later than 30 days after the event and include 

• Marriage or Divorce
• Birth or Adoption of a Child
• Death of a Spouse or Child
• Marriage of a dependent child
• Additional circumstances may apply 

Proper notification to HR ensures accurate enrollment in the various benefits plans (medical, dental, etc.) for new spouse or baby; prompt removal of those you no longer wish to cover; and correct deduction from your paycheck for the associated plan type (single, two, family).  Remember to review your beneficiaries and make any changes for life insurance, retirement plan(s), and final paycheck.  

For assistance, please contact Ms. Kimberly Hongisto, Benefits/Onboarding Coordinator, at khongist@nmu.edu or phone x2470.

Faculty/Staff

The February issue of the Personal Best/HOPE Health newsletter has arrived.  Please take a moment for yourself to read and enjoy this issue, and remember to share it with your family members!  Of interest in this issue:  

• Heart Health
• Slowing Down Racing Thoughts
• Health Effects of Loneliness
• And MUCH more!

You may also find this issue and previous months on the HR mental health and wellness resources site.  Be sure to scroll all the way down the page to the Additional Resources section. While you’re on the site, check out the wide range of wellbeing resources available to you!

Faculty/Staff

The 403(b) retirement plan performance report for the 3rd quarter of 2023 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, My Employee Benefits tile, and click on Retirement Plan Performance.

Faculty/Staff

TIAA has released its schedule of live webinars for the months of January, February, and March.  Keep your financial goals on track with these informative live sessions and learn how you can take action for a more secure future.  

Topics include: Five steps to managing money and debt; a woman's guide to saving and investing; beginning to save for retirement; and five steps to creating your retirement income plan.  

Please click on the 1st Quarter Flyer to register and read more about each session. 

Faculty/Staff

TIAA has released its schedule of live webinars for the month of December.  Keep your financial goals on track with these informative live sessions and learn how you can take action for a more secure future.  

Topics include: Five steps to creating your retirement income plan; your mid-career retirement check-in; five steps to setting your retirement date; and a start-to-finish guide to establishing your retirement plan.  

Please click on the December Flyer to register and read more about each session. 

Faculty/Staff

The December issue of the Personal Best/HOPE Health newsletter has arrived.  Please take a moment for yourself to read and enjoy this issue, and remember to share it with your family members!  Of interest in this issue:  

• Everyday Relaxation Guide
• Mental Health After Major Surgery
• Germs’ Favorite Hideouts
• And MUCH more!

You may also find this issue and previous months on the HR mental health and wellness resources site.  Be sure to scroll all the way down the page to the Additional Resources section. While you’re on the site, check out the wide range of wellbeing resources available to you!

Faculty/Staff

The IRS has recently announced the 2024 Retirement Plan Limits.  The contribution limits for employees who participate in the voluntary 403(b) and/or 457(b) plans have increased from $22,500 to $23,000 in 2024, and 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 2024, the maximum amount you may contribute to your voluntary retirement plan is $23,000.  If you are age 50 or above, the maximum amount you may contribute is $30,500 ($23,000 plus $7,500 catch-up).  Employees interested in adjusting their current retirement contribution, or beginning a new salary reduction, should contact Kimberly Hongisto, Benefits and Onboarding Coordinator, at khongist@nmu.edu or phone x2470 and request a Salary Reduction Agreement.