HR Updates

Civil Service staff have an opportunity to attend the following online meeting: 

• What: Civil Service Rules Change-Clarification of Bereavement Leave Policies to Include Loss of Pregnancy

• When: Tuesday, April 29, 2025

• Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

• Where: The meeting will be held online only. Please use this Zoom link to join the meeting.

• Who should attend: Any Civil Service Staff who want to discuss the change.

• Background information: Please view the  CSCC Employment Rules amendment: Clarification of Bereavement Leave Policies to Include Loss of Pregnancy form to see the change and provide feedback.

The Office of Human Resources permanently closed the reception desk as of Monday, April 1, 2024. After reviewing the volume of in-person visitors seeking help from those working in the reception area, it was clear that OHR has very few job seekers or employees who drop into the office for services. Due to this reason, we believe our administration can continue to serve our OHR and campus community well without a dedicated staff person in the reception area. 

What this means for employees and visitors: 

• Employees with scheduled appointments with a benefits counselor must ring the doorbell and someone will let them in. As a reminder, in-person appointments are available on select Thursdays.
• Employees with paperwork to drop off can ring the doorbell to hand the material to a person. If it is after hours, or on a Friday, there will be a basket on the wall (by the doorbell) with envelopes so they can place the form/document into an envelope and slide it under the door.
• Anyone with human resources questions can call or email the OHR Contact Center (612-624-8647 or 800-756-2363 or ohr@umn.edu).
• Anyone needing OHR administrative support must email ohradmin@umn.edu, which is checked regularly throughout the day.

The University is adding an emergency withdrawal option for University retirement plans administered by Fidelity Investments. OHR Total Rewards also offers financial counseling to support employees undergoing financial strain.

About Emergency Withdrawals

Retirement plan participants can take an emergency withdrawal of up to $1,000 annually across qualifying retirement plans. No documentation is needed for the self-certification process. The withdrawal(s) will not be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty but will be subject to income tax.

At least $1,000 must remain in the account. For example, if you have a balance of $1,500 in an account, you can withdraw $500 from that account. Sign in to your NetBenefits account to learn more about withdrawals.

Please contact Fidelity at 800-343-0860 with any questions about emergency withdrawals. If you're considering an emergency withdrawal, you may want to discuss your options with a Fidelity financial consultant.

When Can I Take an Emergency Withdrawal?

Employees of any age can now take an emergency withdrawal from the following plans:

• Optional Retirement Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

As of May 1, 2025, employees age 59.5 or older can take an emergency withdrawal from the Faculty Retirement Plan. The age restriction is due to IRS limitations on the FRP plan type.

Resources for Financial Stress

As a U of M employee you can get free, confidential help through LSS Financial Counseling. You and your immediate family members have access to six free financial counseling sessions per year.

You can also join the “Managing My Money” webinar with Fidelity (May 29, noon–12:45 p.m.) to learn about: 

• Prioritizing debt
• Budgeting
• Building (or rebuilding) your emergency savings fund

Earn 200 Wellbeing Points for attending. Register on Fidelity's "Appointment Scheduler" webpage by selecting “Virtual Event” as Event Type.

April is Financial Literacy Month! Get to know your University financial counseling and retirement planning benefits through events and resources below.

Managing Financial Stress, Debt, Budgeting, and More

As a U of M employee you can get free, confidential help through LSS Financial Counseling. You and your immediate family members have access to six free financial counseling sessions per year.

LSS is also offering free webinars to help you plan for, navigate through, and recover from financial strain: 

• Facing Financial Uncertainty (April 10, 11:00 a.m.–noon): Get hands-on guidance on how to make a temporary budget, manage debts, and find local resources.
• Recovering Your Finances (April 15, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.): Take control of your finances after a financial crisis. You'll learn how to improve your credit, deal with creditors, and rebuild emergency savings.
• Financial Stress-Busters (April 30, noon–1:00 p.m.): Get the tools to change damaging financial mindsets and behaviors and reduce stress.

Earn 200 Wellbeing Points per webinar!

Saving for Retirement

Learn about University retirement savings plans through upcoming events. Earn 200 Wellbeing Points per webinar!

Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) Pension Plan

April 17, noon to 1:00 p.m.

Join University benefits counselors Jeff Altringer and Lori Stotesbery to discuss the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) pension plan and how voluntary plans through Fidelity Investments can work in tandem with it.

This webinar is intended for Civil Service and Labor-Represented employees who automatically contribute to MSRS. Visit the plan comparison webpage for more information on eligibility.

Register for the MSRS webinar

Faculty Retirement Plan

April 22, noon to 1:00 p.m.

Join University benefits counselors Jeff Altringer and Lori Stotesbery to discuss the Faculty Retirement Plan (FRP) and how voluntary plans through Fidelity can work in tandem with it.

This webinar is intended for Faculty and P&A employees who automatically contribute to the FRP. Visit the plan comparison webpage for more information on eligibility.

Register for the FRP webinar

Voluntary Retirement Plan Options

April 24, Noon to 12:45 p.m.

Is saving through a voluntary plan right for you? Should you contribute pre-tax or after-tax (Roth) dollars? Learn how to prioritize your needs and choose the right plan for you in this free Fidelity webinar.

Voluntary plans are available to employees who are paid regularly. Visit the plan comparison webpage for more information on eligibility.

Register for the Voluntary Retirement Plan Options webinar

How to Use Fidelity’s NetBenefits Tools and Resources

April 26, Noon to 12:30 p.m.

Fidelity offers responsive tools to help you plan for your future through its free NetBenefits platform. Get help saving for a house, projecting retirement income, deciding on pre-tax vs. after-tax (Roth) contributions, and more!

Register on Fidelity's "Appointment Scheduler" web page by selecting “Virtual Event” as Event Type.

Investment Planning

Official University retirement plan provider Fidelity offers one-on-one meetings with financial workplace consultants. Consultants are well-versed in University plans and can help you with:

• Questions about retirement savings plans
• Retirement income planning
• Investments and financial strategy

Spouses are welcome to attend too!

Paying off your student loans can be confusing and difficult, but University employee financial counseling vendor LSS Financial Counseling is here to help! Read on for information on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and a LSS event to help you manage student loan debt. 

About the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program and Student Loan Counseling

What is the PSLF?

The PSLF program allows you to have the remaining balance of your student loans forgiven after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full time for a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization. Find out more on this government website. 

Am I eligible for the PSLF? What other options do I have?

Qualifying for the PSLF depends on what kind of loans you have and the payment plan you are enrolled in.  

LSS is offering a webinar (PSLF: Practical Steps to Loan Forgiveness, Thursday, May 22, noon–1:00 p.m.) specifically for University employees to learn about the PSLF, how it works, and the options available. The webinar earns 200 Wellbeing Points and has a 300-person limit. The webinar earns 200 Wellbeing Points and has a 300-person limit.

If the session is full or you aren’t able to attend, you can schedule an individual consultation with LSS to discuss your situation.

Who should I contact to get my PSLF form signed?

Send your form via email to ohr@umn.edu to request a signature for the employer verification section. Information to include: 

• Employer’s name: Regents of University of Minnesota
• Address: 319 15th Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
• Federal EIN: 41-6007513

Do not include your Social Security number on the form.

I have more questions. Who can I contact? 

LSS offers free financial counseling sessions for University employees, spouses, and dependents. You can schedule an appointment to discuss your specific situation. Learn more about this benefit. 

Companies claiming to be University partners occasionally contact employees via phone call or email to offer financial advisory services. Representatives of these companies have also reached out to employees on social media platforms such as LinkedIn. You can check the Benefits Vendor Contacts web page if you receive a benefits-related message and aren’t sure if it came from a University vendor. If the vendor is not a University vendor, please ignore or mark the message as spam.

The following companies have reached out to employees but are not official University vendors: 

• Benefit Link
• District Retirement Services
• Edify Financial Consulting Group
• Employee Retirement Advisors (ERA)
• Pres Financial
• United Financial Services

The University offers free retirement and financial counseling services to employees through LSS Financial Counseling and Fidelity Investments, as well as directly through University benefits counselors. You can learn more about services through the University on the Financial Counseling Overview web page.

March is National Nutrition Month! Find benefits-related resources to help you learn more about nutrition, recipes and meal prep, finding a dietitian, and more. 

Meal Prep Like a Pro With Wellbeats

Did you know that meal prepping helps you make healthier food choices? Get tips for meal prepping through Wellbeats’ “Simply Prepped” series. To find the “Simply Prepped” videos, log in to the Wellbeing Program portal and find Wellbeats in the Programs tab. Once you’re in the Wellbeats portal, go to Programs and search for Simply Prepped.

If this is your first time using the platform, here’s how to get started with Wellbeats.

Nutrition Support From the University Medical Plan

Consult With a Dietitian 

Nutritional counseling is generally covered by the University’s medical plans as long as a registered dietitian provides it. If you are on the Elect/Essential or ACO plan, you will need a referral from your primary care physician for in-network coverage.

Contact Medica Customer Service at 952-992-1814 or 877-252-5558 to discuss what services are covered or find a provider.

Note: Medical  plan coverage does not include charges for weight loss programs, nutritional supplements, food, over-the-counter appetite suppressants, vitamins, or exercise therapy.

Get Help With Diabetes Prevention and Management

You can get nutritional support focused on diabetes prevention and management programs provided by Omada®.

If accepted into a program, you’ll have access to a health coach who will help you build healthy routines around what you love to do and where you want the most support. The program is not about counting calories or avoiding foods you "can't eat" and things you "shouldn't do." Instead, Omada programming focuses on trying new foods.

Learn more and see if you qualify for Omada.

Bonus: Employees and spouses who are eligible for the program can automatically earn Wellbeing Points for participating.

The Office of Human Resources has launched HR TDX Insights, a mailing list designed to keep HR professionals, supervisors, and administrative staff informed about updates to TeamDynamix (TDX) as part of PEAK. By subscribing, you’ll receive timely notifications about system outages, upcoming changes, and new training resources to help you easily navigate service requests.

Updates will be sent on an as-needed basis, ensuring you stay updated while minimizing unnecessary emails to your inbox. 

Subscribe today.

If HR TDX Insights isn’t a good fit, you can unsubscribe at any time. 

Planning to retire in the next 10 years? Get ready with resources offered through University partners and the Office of Human Resources.

One-on-one Sessions With Consultants

• Fidelity representatives can help you get ready for retirement and offer free and confidential retirement counseling. You can invite your spouse or another family member to attend as well.
  • Call 800-343-0860.
  • Schedule a meeting with the University’s Fidelity Workplace Financial Consultants.
• LSS Financial Counseling provides counseling to help with budgeting, student loans, and debt management and repayment. This confidential service is free to University employees and their spouses. You can invite your spouse or another family member to attend as well.
  • Call 800-528-2926.
• MSRS retirement specialists are here to help you with MSRS pension plan questions and planning.
  • Request an appointment.
• University of Minnesota benefits consultants can help those who are near retirement. Call and schedule an appointment, especially if you are about six months from your retirement date.
  • Email ohradmin@umn.edu to request an appointment.

Other Resources

• University benefit consultants walk through University retiree insurance benefits and other considerations as you prepare for retirement in the on-demand University Retiree Benefits presentation.
• Fidelity financial planning resources are available for all employees, regardless of if you have retirement savings with Fidelity. Check your retirement readiness score, or create an account to explore more options.
• Social Security offers tools to help you plan for using this benefit. Create an account and explore resources.
• Access life insurance and legacy planning resources through University vendor Securian.
• Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) is partnering with Fidelity to offer webinars on cognitive health in retirement.

On-Demand Fidelity Webinars

Explore these free webinars to learn more about retirement topics.

• Learn the Basics of When and How to Claim Social Security
• Turn Your Savings Into Retirement Income
• Retirement Income Planning for Her

University employees can now access their 2024 W-2 tax-reporting forms online. 

To see your W-2: log into MyU > click on My Pay > View W2/W2C Forms.

If you opted to receive your W-2 form exclusively online, you will not receive a printed form in the mail. If you did not opt in, a printed form will also be mailed to you the week of January 20-24.

If you have trouble opening your online W-2, make sure your web browser's pop-up blocker is turned off or allows University sites as an exception.

A word of caution: In the past, we've seen an increase in phishing attempts during tax season. Remember that the University of Minnesota, including the Office of Human Resources, will never ask you to provide personal information such as a username and password via an email or email link.

Two-factor authentication through Duo Security is required when logging into MyU. If you haven’t already done so, you will be required to enroll when you access the MyU sign-in page. The Office of Information Technology can help you with enrolling in Duo Security.

If in doubt, reach out: If you receive a suspicious message, contact University Technology Help at 612-301-4357 or email help@umn.edu.

If you have questions about your W-2 form, please email or call the OHR Contact Center at ohr@umn.edu, 612-624-8647, or 800-756-2363.

The University’s FSA and HSA provider, HSA Bank, is currently going through a branding refresh. The majority of HSA Bank branded assets will be updated in the first quarter of 2025, but some materials will continue to be updated throughout the year.

This means you may notice a new logo, color palette, font, and overall design style on their website, downloadable forms, and other communications.

No action is needed from you as an FSA or HSA account holder. This will not disrupt any services provided by HSA Bank.

Any questions about the brand update can be directed to HSA Bank by calling 877-525-7121.

As of January 1, 2025, the University revised how employees can use Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) to align with a new state law. This applies to all ESST-eligible employees. The changes include:

Expanded Use  

Civil Service and Labor-represented employees may now use accrued sick time for an ESST-qualifying reason.

Eligible faculty and P&A employees can use up to the first ten days of an academic medical leave for an ESST-qualifying reason.

Documentation Requirements

Civil Service and Labor-represented employees cannot be asked to provide documentation for an absence (ESST-qualifying or not) until they out for three consecutive scheduled work days. This change supersedes department policies or contract language regarding documentation requirements 

As before, documentation is not required for faculty and P&A academic medical leave during the first 10 continuous days.

Definition of a Family Member

The ESST definition of family member is broader in many circumstances and now applies to sick time and the first ten days of academic medical leave for ESST-qualifying reasons.

Protection from Adverse Action

Employees cannot be disciplined or retaliated against because they used or attempted to use ESST. Time away using ESST cannot be counted as an absence that may result in adverse action under an attendance policy or point system. This extends to ESST-qualifying reasons when employees utilize their sick time or academic medical leave. 

The University anticipates additional guidance on the expanded use in early 2025.  After this guidance is released, applicable contracts and University policies will be updated later in 2025.

If you have questions about ESST, please contact your unit's HR representative, or email or call the OHR Contact Center at ohr@umn.edu, 612-624-8647, or 800-756-2363.

The University of Minnesota prohibits human trafficking, sex trafficking, forced labor and all trafficking-related activities. These activities are inherently harmful and contrary to the University’s core values, and may violate applicable foreign, U.S., state, and local laws.

To improve employee experience, Total Rewards is implementing two changes to retirement savings plans administered by Fidelity Investments. Both changes take effect on January 1, 2025. 

New Catch-Up Contributions for Employees Age 60–63

Employees turning age 50 and over can make catch-up contributions to their 403(b) and 457 voluntary retirement plans. As of January 1, 2025, employees turning ages 60–63 have an enhanced catch-up contribution opportunity of $11,250 (instead of $7,500) on top of the 2025 limit. 

The limits apply separately to 457 and 403(b)/401(k) plans. For example, if you turn 60 in March 2025, you can contribute a total of $69,500, or $34,750 total across 457 plans and $34,750 total across 403(b)/401(k) plans.

This applies to the following University plans:

• Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan)

Plan Contributions After Leaving the University

Starting January 1, pay received after leaving the University can have retirement contributions withheld. This includes vacation time that is paid out directly to the employee.

This applies to the following University plans:

• Faculty Retirement Plan (FRP)
• Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan)

If you are eligible for the FRP, contributions will continue through your final paycheck. If you are contributing to the ORP and/or 457 Plan, contributions will continue based on your current election(s). If you would like to change your contributions to the ORP and/or 457 Plan, you can do so through Fidelity.

Starting February 1, 2025, the University of Minnesota health plan will no longer cover Humira, but will cover three Humira biosimilar products: Hadlima, adalimumab-aaty and adalimumab-adaz. These biosimilars are the preferred specialty drugs replacing Humira. Members currently taking Humira will have the option to switch to any of these three without requiring new prior authorization approvals. 

Learn more about biosimilars and each of these products below.

What are biologics and biosimilars?

A biologic is a type of medicine that is made from natural and living sources, such as cells or proteins. Because they come from living sources, these medications tend to be more complex than other types of medicines, which may be made from chemicals, and are simpler to make.

A biosimilar is a medicine that is highly similar to a biologic, known as a reference product, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved. Biosimilars are carefully tested for safety and effectiveness to ensure that they provide the same treatment benefits as the reference biologic. Biosimilars can cost less than the reference biologic. 

You can learn more from the FDA Overview of Biosimilars or by watching the FDA’s video “Biosimilar Medications — What Patients Need to Know.” If you have questions about your biologic medication or biosimilars, reach out to Fairview Specialty Pharmacy by calling 877-509-5115.

New Humira Biosimilars Added to the Formulary

As of November 2024, there were 10 marketers of Humira biosimilars in the United States. After review of the available biosimilars, three Humira biosimilars products were selected to best meet University employees’ needs.

Hadlima (manufactured by Samsung Bioepis, marketed by Organon)

Currently available as 40mg/0.4mL and 40mg/0.8mL prefilled syringes and auto-injector pens.This manufacturer offers a patient financial assistance program.

Adalimumab-aaty (manufactured by Celltrion Inc.)

Currently available as 20mg/0.2mL prefilled syringes, 40mg/0.4mL prefilled syringes and auto-injector pens, and 80mg/0.8mL auto-injector pens. This manufacturer offers a patient financial assistance program.

Adalimumab-adaz (manufactured by Sandoz Inc.)

Currently available as 40mg/0.4mL and prefilled syringes and auto-injector pens. This manufacturer offers a patient financial assistance program.

Additional Resources from the FDA

• Biosimilar Basics for Patients
• Purple Book: Lists of Licensed Biological Products with Reference Product Exclusivity and Biosimilarity or Interchangeability Evaluations
• Biosimilars Info Sheet

The Graduate Labor Union-United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (GLU-UE) ratified their first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the University on December 6, 2024. 

The CBA provides graduate assistants a new $27 per hour minimum wage, guaranteed annual wage increases, student fee support, paid personal days, expanded medical and dental coverage for dependents, and other workplace protections.

The three-year CBA is the result of more than a year of negotiations. GLU-UE represents 4,500 graduate assistants on the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses. 

Read more about the next steps on the OHR website.

University employees and spouses who participate in the University’s Wellbeing Program will begin to see the new vendor name, but the program is staying the same.

Virgin Pulse recently acquired HealthComp, a health benefits administrator, and Virgin Pulse rebranded the two companies as Personify Health. This change took effect for the University’s Wellbeing Program on September 1, 2024, with a hybrid look that includes Virgin Pulse and Personify Health elements. The full change will take effect on January 1, 2025.

While Personify Health will offer expanded services such as health plan administration, University users’ experience with the Wellbeing Program platform will remain largely the same. The only change you may need to make is updating any links or bookmarks to the portal login page:

Log in to Personify Health

FAQs

Will I have to download a new app? 

No. You may be prompted to log in again or download a new version of the app after the app officially transitions to Personify Health on December 16. See the Personify Health member services website if you have questions about the app.

How will my experience on the portal or app change? 

You will begin to see a Personify Health logo if you log out of the portal or app after using it. The copyright also changed from Virgin Pulse to Personify Health.

Wellbeing Program programming and user experience will not change due to the rebranding, though Personify Health may make minor changes to its interface like any app or website. Also, the company is planning changes to its homepage in early 2025.

Will this affect the data that is shared with the vendor? Will Personify Health have access to my health information?  

No additional data will be shared with the vendor as a result of this change by the vendor.

As before, if you earn Wellbeing Program points through University health plan vendors Omada, Medication Therapy Management (MTM), Ovia, or Specialty Drug Therapy Management, only whether you participated will be tracked. None of your personal medical data will be sent to the Wellbeing Program vendor. Learn more about how vendors protect your privacy on the Employee Health Benefits and Data Privacy page. 

December brings the end of fall semester and holidays. Here’s how your University benefits can help you find balance and rest through this busy time.

Employee Assistance Program

Struggling with anxiety, depression, seasonal affective disorder, or stress? The Employee Assistance Program (EAP), through Lyra Health, provides:

• confidential professional counseling
• up to eight coaching and therapy sessions per issue each year (continued sessions are available to employees enrolled in a University medical plan)
• on-demand access to a self-care library for help with sleep, meditation, stress relief, and more

All benefits-eligible employees, their spouses, and their dependents are eligible for EAP services. Lyra uses a diverse network of counselors who self-identify across a broad range of racial, gender, sexual orientation, and other cultural identities. Get started with the EAP.

Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Funds

If you need continued mental health support beyond the free EAP sessions mentioned above, you can use HSA or FSA funds to pay for counseling.

You could also potentially use HSA and FSA funds to pay for things such as over-the-counter products (like herbal supplements), sleep disorder treatments, and light therapy boxes to treat seasonal affective disorder. However, these products will likely require a letter of medical necessity from your doctor to qualify. Learn more about qualified expenses from HSA Bank.

Sick Time

Don’t forget that you can use your banks of accrued paid time off under the University’s traditional sick time program or Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) to take time off for medical, dental, and mental health appointments. Visit the Vacations, Time Away & Leaves web page for more information.

Wellbeats “Rest and Restore” Program

Wellbeats’ two-week “Rest and Restore” program includes a range of classes like restorative yoga, gentle stretching, and calming meditation to unwind and prepare for a restful night.

To access “Rest and Restore” videos, log in to the Wellbeing Program portal and find Wellbeats in the Programs tab. Once you’re in the Wellbeats portal, go to Programs and search for Rest and Restore.

If this is your first time using the platform, here’s how to get started with Wellbeats.

PEAK Phase 2 colleges and administrative units will begin using the new service model on Monday, December 2. If you’re going to submit requests with the new service model, here’s what you need to know:

• TeamDynamix (TDX) training resources reminder: OHR’s PEAK: Training page has a collection of training resources available for PEAK units. The PEAK-HR Training Plan provides a recommended sequence for reviewing those resources. 
• TDX support: Help is available to all employees requesting services through TDX. You can get help by commenting on your TDX ticket or messaging the OHR Contact Center (ohr@umn.edu or 612-624-8647 or 800-756-2363). 
• Hypercare through January: OHR will provide additional resources (e.g., responding to issues and questions) to unit representatives throughout December and January. If you’re a Requestor, you can contact your local HR unit with any process questions. 
• Website updates for clarity: OHR anticipates increased web traffic from non-PEAK users after the go-live date. To ensure everyone finds the right information, callout boxes will appear on pages where PEAK and non-PEAK processes diverge. 

What to expect

The first few weeks may feel bumpy as people adjust to new technology and processes. While this is to be expected, the HR Operations Center and Talent Acquisition teams are here to support you.

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we navigate this important transition together.

To learn more about the service transition, read the PEAK Initiative’s article, “Go-Live for Phase 2 Units.” 

The University has reached a tentative agreement with the Graduate Labor Union-United, Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (GLU-UE) for a first contract. 

If GLU-UE members vote to ratify the tentative agreement, it will be presented to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents for approval.  

More information about the negotiations is available on the GLU-UE Contract Negotiation webpage.

December brings the end of fall semester and holidays. Here’s how your University benefits can help you find balance and rest through this busy time.

Employee Assistance Program

Struggling with anxiety, depression, seasonal affective disorder, or stress? The Employee Assistance Program (EAP), through Lyra Health, provides:

• confidential professional counseling
• up to eight coaching and therapy sessions per issue each year (continued sessions are available to employees enrolled in a University medical plan)
• on-demand access to a self-care library for help with sleep, meditation, stress relief, and more

All benefits-eligible employees, their spouses, and their dependents are eligible for EAP services. Lyra uses a diverse network of counselors who self-identify across a broad range of racial, gender, sexual orientation, and other cultural identities. Get started with the EAP.

Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Funds

If you need continued mental health support beyond the free EAP sessions mentioned above, you can use HSA or FSA funds to pay for counseling.

You could also potentially use HSA and FSA funds to pay for things such as over-the-counter products (like herbal supplements), sleep disorder treatments, and light therapy boxes to treat seasonal affective disorder. However, these products will likely require a letter of medical necessity from your doctor to qualify. Learn more about qualified expenses from HSA Bank.

Sick Time

Don’t forget that you can use your banks of accrued paid time off under the University’s traditional sick time program or Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) to take time off for medical, dental, and mental health appointments. Visit the Vacations, Time Away & Leaves web page for more information.

Wellbeats “Rest and Restore” Program

Wellbeats’ two-week “Rest and Restore” program includes a range of classes like restorative yoga, gentle stretching, and calming meditation to unwind and prepare for a restful night.

To access “Rest and Restore” videos, log in to the Wellbeing Program portal and find Wellbeats in the Programs tab. Once you’re in the Wellbeats portal, go to Programs and search for Rest and Restore.

If this is your first time using the platform, here’s how to get started with Wellbeats.

The annual voluntary retirement contribution limit for 2024 is $23,000, and the 2025 limit is rising to $23,500. This limit is determined by the IRS. 

What plans does this limit apply to?

This limit applies separately to contributions to: 

• 457(b) plans: Any contributions to another employer’s 457(b) plan will be combined with contributions to the University’s 457 Deferred Compensation Plan to determine the contribution limit. You can only contribute the annual limit in total across all of your 457(b) plans.
• 403(b) and 401(k) plans: If you participate in separate 401(k) or 403(b) plans, any contributions to those plans are combined with contributions to the University's Optional Retirement Plan when determining your yearly contribution limits. You can only contribute the annual limit in total across all of your 401(k) and 403(b) plans.

This limit does not apply to any contributions to MSRS pension plan or the Faculty Retirement Plan. 

Catch-up contributions (ages 50+)

If you are age 50 or over by the end of the calendar year, you can make additional “catch-up” contributions of $7,500 for a total of $30,500 in 2024. This limit is staying the same ($7,500 for a total of $31,000) in 2025. 

For example, if you are 50 or over in 2025, you can contribute a total of $31,000 across any 401(k) and 403(b) plans. You can also contribute a total of $31,000 across any 457(b) plans, for a total of $62,000 across all 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans. 

Where should I go if I have questions?

Please contact Fidelity at 800-343-0860 with any questions. You can also set up a free one-on-one meeting with a Fidelity financial planner to discuss your situation in depth.

Does your current medical or dental plan still meet your needs? Have you had a change in your life, and a different plan would be a better fit? Are the dependents (such as a spouse or children) on your medical and dental plan up-to-date? Medical and dental plan options are remaining the same, but rates and the deductible for the HSA plan are increasing. Learn more about the rate changes and plan options on the Open Enrollment web page.

Do you want a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) in 2025? Even if you had an FSA in 2024, you still need to enroll during Open Enrollment to have a 2025 FSA due to IRS rules. The maximum contribution for a Health Care FSA in 2025 is $3,200, and the maximum contribution for a Dependent Care FSA is $5,000 per family. Learn more about FSAs.

If you want to participate in an FSA or make a change in your benefits, you will need to make your selection in MyU by December 2. If you don’t submit your FSA enrollment by December 2, you will not be able to enroll late and will not have an FSA in 2025.

If you are satisfied with your current benefits selections, and do not want to add or change benefits or have an FSA, you do not need to take any action. Your benefits will stay the same for next year.

The University recently learned that the Graduate Labor Union-United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (GLU-UE) will hold a strike authorization vote for its members on October 28-31.

Next steps and answers to bargaining, unit clarification, and the MSQ questions can be found on the GLU-UE Contract Negotiation page on the OHR website.

More information about recent mediation and the petition is available on the OHR website.

The July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027, Unit 2 Crafts and Trades contract is available on the OHR site.

The contract can also be found by following Current Employees > Contracts and Negotiations > Active Contracts and Negotiations.

Upgrade to PeopleSoft

A planned upgrade to PeopleSoft will impact hiring managers and recruiters and temporarily limit access for job seekers.

This upgrade helps our PeopleSoft systems remain current and secure and ensures we retain Oracle support.

PeopleSoft Unavailable for Recruiting October 19-20

MyU and other PeopleSoft applications will be unavailable while the University upgrades PeopleSoft on October 19–20, 2024 (Saturday and Sunday). The upgrade is planned to begin at noon Saturday and end at noon Sunday.

What you need to know:

• You will not have access to MyU, PeopleSoft, or Recruiting Solutions tools during the October 19–20 upgrade.
• Job seekers cannot browse jobs or apply online during the upgrade. 
• After the upgrade, hiring managers and recruiters may see minor changes to two screens related to recruiting. More information on the screens and impacts is below. 

Minor Changes to the Recruiting Experience

This PeopleSoft upgrade will make some very minor changes to the user experience. 

• Job Postings page: Unit, department, and central recruiters plus hiring managers will see three changes:
  • On the far left, select a Primary Posting Destination. This will show the Post Date field on the Manage Job Opening page.
  • Two new fields—Next Review Date or Days Til Next Review—will be visible but should not be used.

• Manage Job Opening page: Enhancements to the Applicants Tab will vary by role:  
  • Unit and department recruiters plus hiring managers will see three new fields in the Applicants tab:
    • Date Applied  (including the time and date) 
    • Last Updated
    • Former Employee
  • Central recruiters:
    • Will see additional fields in the Applicants tab:
      • Date applied
      • Last updated
      • Former employee
      • Veteran 
      • Military Status
      • References 
    • To hide any of these fields (see images below):
      • Go to the Applicants grid, select the Grid menu, and then click Personalize. 
      • On the personalization page, highlight columns on the left that you do not want to see, then check the Hidden box to the right of the column. When you have clicked all of the columns to hide, click the Ok button on the bottom left to save your customization. 

Did you know that you can get your pay more quickly and safely by signing up for direct deposit? 

Why Use Direct Deposit?

• It’s fast. If you use direct deposit, you get your money right away. Mail takes three to five days to get to your house, but direct deposit is in your account on payday. 
• It may be even faster! Your bank, credit unions, or money transfer apps may give you access to your direct deposit a day or two before payday. Early direct deposit may not be available on every account, so check with your bank, credit union, or electronic payment platform. 
• It’s safer. Your paycheck can get lost or stolen before it gets to you, but direct deposit always gets to your account because it’s an electronic payment. 
• It’s easier. You don’t have to go to the bank, credit union, or store to get your money. You can pick which accounts it goes to, and it’s there when you need to pay your bills.
• It only takes a few minutes to set up. Get all of your information together and you can sign up quickly.

How to Get Direct Deposit

• Get your University Internet ID and Password. You will need to log in to make the change. 
• Get your bank or credit union account information. You will need the routing number which has 9 numbers. One place to look is at the bottom of your check. 
• Go to umn.edu and look on the top right side of the page. 
  • Click on MyU
  • Click My Pay in the menu on the left
  • Under Pay, click on Direct Deposit Set Up
  • Click Add Account
  • Enter routing and account number and choose account type
  • For Deposit Type choose Balance of net pay
  • For Deposit Order type 999
  • Click on Submit
• Look for your money on payday in your bank account online. Or, go to MyU and look at your pay statement. It will say the name of your bank and “ACH” or “EFT” which means the money was sent electronically. 
• Use an electronic payment app or digital wallet? Go to the site to learn how to set it up and how quickly you can use your money. 

Need Help?

Feel free to reach out to the University about your check at payroll@umn.edu or call 612-624-8647 or 800- 756-2363 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

AFSCME-coordinated centralized new employee orientation (NEO) meetings will be held the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

The meetings will be 30 minutes; however, an employee can choose to use their lunch break for an additional 30 minutes (1 hour total). AFSCME will provide lunch.

Second and third shift employees will be invited but are not expected to attend because it is off work hours. The union will schedule Zoom NEO with these employees if they do not attend the central meeting.

Distant staff (Extension, CUHCC, MIDB, CFANS outreach, etc.) will continue their practice of using Zoom.

Staff who are fully remote will be invited to the AFSCME NEOs but if they cannot attend, AFSCME will need to coordinate a Zoom meeting.

Supervisors are encouraged to be flexible with scheduling so that staff can attend and with travel time to and from the meeting.

OHR will continue to send AFSCME the biweekly list with contact information for new hires. AFSCME will handle the communications to new employees informing them of the time and location of the meetings. The University will continue to reinforce that attending these meetings with the union are an expectation of a new employee’s orientation.

Please contact Coy Hillstead (chillste@umn.edu) or Jean Leuthner (leut0004@umn.edu) with questions.

Some of your University benefits are included as part of your estate. That means the money from your HSA, life insurance policy, or retirement accounts can be passed on to the people or causes you care about, known as a “beneficiary.” Instructions for naming a beneficiary for each account are below.

Why Update Beneficiaries?

If you do not name a beneficiary, your assets will be distributed to “default” beneficiaries as outlined in the governing plan documents for each benefit. Even if the default beneficiary order works for you, it’s still recommended that you name your beneficiary and include contact information to make the distribution happen more quickly. Relying on the default order takes longer to process at a very difficult time for your loved ones.

Other things to keep in mind, include:

• Information you will likely need includes your beneficiary’s name, birthdate, Social Security number (or tax ID), and contact information (email, mailing address, and phone number), although specific requirements differ for each account provider.
• Update for major life events, such as a birth, death, marriage, divorce, or if you have a financial windfall.
• Your beneficiaries supersede–or take the place of–whoever you name in your will. That means that even if you have a will in place, you should review your beneficiary information regularly to make sure it’s the right person or cause.
• Name both primary and contingent beneficiaries. It’s a good practice to name a contingent beneficiary (sometimes called a backup or secondary beneficiary) in case the primary beneficiary has passed away, declines, or isn’t legally permitted to accept it.
• Some accounts may require spousal consent before adding or changing the beneficiary to be someone other than your spouse. This depends on the benefit plan documents for your account and the state you live in.

How to Update Your Beneficiaries

Health Savings Account (HSA)

1. Log in to your account and click “Settings” on the left menu.
2. Click “Edit Profile” under My Profile on the Settings page.
3. Click “Add Beneficiary.”
4. Fill in the fields and click “Submit.”

Life Insurance

If it’s your first time logging in, visit LifeBenefits:

• Your user ID is the letters “UM” followed by your seven-digit employee ID number
• Your initial password is your eight-digit date of birth, followed by the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you experience problems, call Securian at 866-293-6047.
• After your first log in, you’ll be prompted to change your password.

Once logged in, you can confirm or update your beneficiary at any time in the “Beneficiary details” section of your profile.

Retirement Accounts

Faculty Retirement Plan (FRP), Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

Fidelity Investments

• Log in to NetBenefits.com.
• Click “Profile & Settings” in the upper right.
• Scroll down to the Beneficiaries section.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

Other Providers

For contact information for previous retirement plan providers, see the Benefit Vendor Contact page (under “Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans”). 

Pension Plans

Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS)

Complete a Beneficiary Designation form (pdf) to name your beneficiaries. It becomes effective when a properly completed form is received by MSRS and replaces any prior beneficiary forms that you filed.

Other Pension Plans

Employees in a handful of classifications contribute to other pension plans. Reach out to the administrator of your plan or your union representative to inquire about the process.

Every year, Employee Benefit News (EBN) recognizes leading HR and benefits professionals through the Excellence in Benefits Awards. This year, Mary Rohman Kuhl, senior director of Total Rewards at the University of Minnesota, was honored with an Excellence in Benefits Award for leading her team’s work.

The Total Rewards team is responsible for administering wages and a full scope of benefits to U of M employees who work throughout the state, country, and world. Harnessing the University’s position as the sixth largest employer in the state, Mary and her team work with internal governance groups and external benefits providers, such as the University's medical plan and retirement savings vendors, to ensure excellent benefits for our employees.

Some of the team’s recent accomplishments include: 

• Choosing, launching, and promoting a new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider that offers culturally responsive care to our employees and their families
• Expanding our Wellbeing Program to include all part- and full-time employees
• Implementing a new Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) program required of Minnesota employers
• Keeping medical and dental insurance rates low compared with market averages, with deductibles for the medical plan as inexpensive as $100, and partnering with College of Pharmacy faculty to assess appropriate coverage and keep costs low for employees
• Enhancing our financial counseling provider contract to allow more attendees at financial webinars and offering semi-annual webinars on our primary and voluntary retirement plans
• Rolling out a new vendor to help employees manage diabetes and prediabetic conditions
• Making adjustments to the Regents Tuition Benefits Program to simplify the request and approval process
• Transitioning to a single administrator for both the HSA and FSA benefit programs

Mary will be honored alongside other award recipients at the Benefits at Work conference later this month. Congratulations to Mary and the entire Total Rewards team! 

Welcome to the 2024-2025 Wellbeing Program year! For those of you who participated last year, you can start earning points immediately through the Wellbeing Program portal or app. 

The program is largely the same from last year. The only change is in the number of points you’ll need to earn to receive a discount on your health insurance. This is due to the increase in points-earning programming added over the past few years. 

To receive a discount on your 2026 medical insurance rates, you’ll need to earn 8,000 points (or 10,500 points for employee and spouse) by August 31, 2025. Spouses who are covered under the medical plan can also participate by earning at least 2,500 points. 

Log in or sign up.

As a reminder, the Wellbeing Program vendor is changing its name from Virgin Pulse to Personify Health. Learn more about the name change.

The new Broadcast Technicians (IBEW), Printers (1-B, and 1-M) Contracts are available on the OHR site. 

• Broadcast Technicians IBEW contract runs from June 17, 2024, through June 30, 2027.
• Printers 1-B contract runs from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027. 
• Printers 1-M contract runs from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.

The contracts can also be found by going to Current Employees>>Contracts and Negotiations>>Active Contracts and Negotiations.

Minnesota recently implemented changes to pregnancy and parental leaves. The changes are in effect for all employees, regardless if the employee is covered under FMLA.  The changes are as follows:

• All employees who are biological or adoptive parents, in conjunction with a birth or adoption, are eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected leave.
• Employers are required to maintain health insurance provided the employee pays their cost of the benefit.
• Any/all prenatal medical appointments will not reduce the 12 week allowance.

For University employees, this means: 

• All employees, whether birth or non birth parent are eligible to take 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected leave when they become a parent through birth or adoption whether they are FMLA eligible or not. 
• All current benefits will remain in effect while the employee is out on leave as long as they continue to pay their portion of the premiums.
• Time away for prenatal medical appointments will NOT reduce the 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected leave that can be used after the baby is born.
• If the employee is FMLA eligible, this will run concurrently with the Pregnancy & Parental Leave.

To better protect your accounts and personal information, Fidelity Investments is enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your NetBenefits® account.

With MFA, an extra layer of security is added to your account to prevent someone from logging in, even if they have your password.

In late August, you will be required to enter a security code when logging in. After this, you can choose to skip MFA on regularly-used, trusted devices.

If you are missing contact information, you also will be required to provide it to enable MFA.

There will be no change to your login experience if you previously enrolled in MFA.

Log in to NetBenefits

Please reach out to Fidelity at 800-343-0860 with any questions. 
 

As of July 1, 2024, workers in Minnesota can request to view their personnel or work records every six months and challenge any information they believe is in error. Employers must inform new hires about these rights and cannot retaliate against employees for using them. 

A recent legislative update now allows employees to use ESST benefits to make funeral arrangements, attend a funeral service or memorial, or address financial or legal matters that arise after the death of a family member.

Updated AFSCME and Teamsters seniority rosters are now available on the OHR website by following this path: Employees > Current Employees > Employee Relations > Seniority Rosters. 

Shannon Doyle with LSS Financial Counseling discussed Debt Management Plans (DMPs) in a recent Money Minute segment on a Twin Cities TV station. LSS is the official provider of financial counseling services for University employees.

A DMP combines your credit card payments so that you only pay one monthly payment to creditors, made through LSS. Most creditors will then offer lower interest rates and stop any late fees, which means you can pay down the debt faster. There is a monthly service fee based on the size of your payment, but LSS waives the DMP set-up fee for University of Minnesota employees. Since 2014, LSS has helped University employees pay down more than $5 million in debt through DMPs.

If you think a DMP may be a good option for you or a family member, set up a free and confidential appointment with an LSS consultant to discuss your personal situation and the DMP contract. 

Due to the changes to U of M email and Google Workspace offerings, the University of Minnesota is no longer able to provide Google Workspace (including Gmail) to University retirees, except those with emeritus status. If you have questions about your emeritus status, reach out to your former college or unit.

Many benefit plans or member accounts will ask for an email address. Please make sure your contact information on file is a personal email, rather than your U of M “umn.edu” email. This will ensure you are able to continue receiving email communications and maintain access to online member accounts.

Don’t forget: After your U of M email and Google Workspace account is closed, you will not be able to use single sign-on (SSO) to login to your benefit accounts.

Health & Wellbeing Benefits

If you have a U of M email address associated with an account for your health savings account (HSA), medical, dental, life insurance, or COBRA coverage, make sure your information is updated with each vendor. Web addresses and contact information for each vendor can be found on the Medical - Age 65 and Over or Benefit Vendor Contacts pages of the OHR website.

You should also make sure your contact information is updated with health care providers, like your pharmacy, primary care physician, etc.

If you participate in the Wellbeing Program, don’t forget to update your login information so you don’t lose access.

Retirement Accounts

Update your contact information in Fidelity Investments’ NetBenefits® platform (or by calling 800-343-0860) and/or the MSRS website.

Securian Financial, TIAA, and Vanguard Funds

Reach out to the providers directly (see the Benefit Vendor Contact page). 

If You Lose Access to a Vendor Account

Reach out to the vendor directly to update your information and regain access. (See contacts on the Benefit Vendor Contact page.)

Still have questions?

Learn more about the access timeline, what to expect, and how to prepare in this self-help guide and frequently asked questions from the Office of Information Technology (OIT).

Questions and support requests regarding your email account access can be submitted to OIT using this form.

As part of the University of Minnesota’s commitment to help you meet your retirement savings goals, Fidelity has added a Roth In-Plan Conversion feature to the University of Minnesota 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, a 457(b) plan. This is effective April 9, 2024. 

What Is a Roth In-Plan Conversion? 

An opportunity to convert non-Roth assets such as those currently in your plan or rolled over from a former employer's plan into a designated Roth portion of the 457 Plan, which allows you to withdraw tax-free dollars from your account when you are eligible.

How Do I Use an In-Plan Conversion?

Call Fidelity directly at 800-343-0860. Fidelity associates are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. CT. 

Learn More

To learn more about Roth contributions and how a Roth In-Plan Conversion may affect your savings, you can sign up for a free consultation with a Fidelity consultant.   

The decision to add Roth within your plan depends on several factors that you should weigh carefully. We encourage you to consult your tax advisor before making a decision if this is right for you. 

The Office of Human Resources’ Total Rewards team is excited to announce changes to the Regents Tuition Benefit Program. This program was formerly known as the Regents Scholarship. 

What the Regents Tuition Benefit Program Offers

• Full-time employees (75-100% appointment) can access undergraduate and graduate-level classes through the University. 
• Employees can take classes through any University campus. 
• Employees who do not hold a bachelor’s degree can take classes for free if they have been accepted into a degree program. All other employees only pay 25% of the class cost. Note that fees outside of tuition (such as book costs or lab fees) are not covered by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.

Changes to the Program

To make the program easier for employees to use, the Regents Tuition Benefit Program process has been updated to reduce the number of approvals needed and provide one point of contact for users. Employees using the program will only need their direct supervisor’s approval for classes that occur during their regularly scheduled hours. Additionally, employees will have one point of contact (OHR’s Contact Center) to submit the Regents Tuition Benefit Program request form.

Related tax documents have also been updated to include examples of how the Regents Tuition Benefit Program affects taxes for employees taking graduate classes. 

How to Look for Classes

You can browse campus catalogs to find courses that fit your interests or professional development plan. Employees can take classes offered on any campus. We encourage you to register for a course before submitting Regents Tuition Benefits Program paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the name change?

In talking with governance groups, Total Rewards learned that some employees have had the assumption that the benefit is only given to a select pool of applicants. However, this program is open to all eligible employees (75-100% appointment) who want to take a class. We want to make sure the program name does not keep anyone from using it. 

How does the Regents Tuition Benefit Program affect my income taxes?

Undergraduate tuition is not taxed as part of your income.

Graduate tuition may be taxed as part of your income, since tax laws treat graduate tuition benefits over $5,250 in a calendar year as taxable income. If your tuition benefit exceeds that limit, the amount over $5,250 will be added to your taxable income for that semester and any following semester during the year.

The IRS may allow you to exclude some of your tuition from taxes. This exclusion is evaluated on a course-by-course basis and has requirements, including having a business connection to your job. You can apply for exclusions through the University's Tax Management Office. A separate application must be submitted for each course.

Learn more and find the form on the Tax Management Office website. 

What childcare options do I have while using the Regents Tuition Benefit Program?

You may be eligible for the Postsecondary Childcare Assistance Grant, which is available to Minnesota residents who qualify through a financial aid process. Learn more about the grant and find instructions for applying. 

If I don’t hold a bachelor’s degree, will all classes I take be free? 

If you have been accepted into a degree program, you will not be charged for class tuition. Otherwise, you will be billed for 25% of the cost, even if you do not hold a bachelor’s degree.

Note that fees outside of tuition (such as book costs or lab fees) are not covered by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.

Do I need supervisor approval if I hold a 9- or 10-month appointment?

If you hold a 9- or 10-month appointment, you'll need to get supervisor approval to take summer classes. You’ll need your manager’s confirmation that you will be returning in the fall.

Where can I go if I have questions about the program? 

Visit the Regents Tuition Benefit Program policy page for more information on the program. Email ohr@umn.edu with any questions.
 

The University has approved the expansion of the Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) benefit to non-Minnesota resident employees. Employees who live outside Minnesota and were previously not eligible will now be eligible for the benefit at the same rate as employees who are Minnesota residents.

The system update is complete and employees who reside outside of Minnesota will be given ESST credit for time worked since the program’s launch on January 1, 2024. As with other sick time programs, accruals will be automatically tracked in MyU. Questions should be directed to your local human resource leader.

University employees can get discounts on event tickets, home and professional services, and more through the Minnesota Employee Recreation & Services Council (MERSC). 

MERSC.com is now a secure site, please follow the instructions below to obtain your MERSC discounts.

1. Visit the MERSC website at www.MERSC.com . All employees of a MERSC affiliated company will need to create an Employee Membership account by registering for an account and paying the $5 annual membership fee. Once your account is created and the annual fee payment is made you will be able to login and access the MERSC discounts. This membership is valid for 1 year from activation date. 
2. Your account will be assigned a MERSC ID#. You will be able to take a screenshot or download your MERSC ID card for proof of employment at a MERSC affiliated company. Most vendors will require to see a valid/unexpired MERSC ID card. 

Questions? Contact the MERSC office at 612-701-0319 or merscinfo@gmail.com. 

NOTE:  In most cases, other discounts are NOT applicable with the MERSC discount.

Disclaimer: Employees and retirees are to use the MERSC list of discounts on the basis of Caveat Emptor—Let the Buyer Beware.  While MERSC makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information, MERSC does not endorse, approve, or certify such information.   Use of such information is voluntary, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness,  efficacy, and timeliness.  MERSC is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information.  No guarantees or warranties, including (but not limited to) any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose, are made by MERSC with respect to such information.

The Office of Human Resources is proud to co-sponsor the Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing’s Wellbeing Series. This webinar series features presentations by wellbeing thought leaders from around the world. Past speakers include Brené Brown, Atul Gawande, Dessa, Celeste Headlee, Rhonda Magee, and Jon Kabat-Zinn.

Wellbeing Series webinars are free and open to everyone. University employees who participate in the Wellbeing Program can earn 200 Wellbeing Points per webinar!

The first webinar of 2024 focuses on wellbeing at work. Learn more and register for WELL at WORK: Creating Wellbeing in Any Workspace.

As of January 1, 2024, Medica members can access a free digital fitness option through the Life Time® Digital Fitness Program. You can find more information about this program on the Medica U of M website under “Programs + services”.

What is Life Time Digital?

The Life Time Digital app provides access to hundreds of on-demand and live fitness classes, meditations, plus nutrition and lifestyle articles to support your wellbeing goals. Program highlights include:

• Over 500 weekly classes led by top instructors
• Exercise anytime, anywhere, with live streaming and on-demand cardio, strength, yoga, and more
• Expert-designed coaching programs covering nutrition, exercise, strength, recovery, and healthy habits
• Hundreds of hours of guided meditation support led by a dedicated team of mental health experts
• Expert-curated, evidence-based resources are just a tap away, covering physical, mental, spiritual, and social aspects of a healthy life

How do I get started with Life Time Digital?

Follow these four simple steps to enroll:

1. Log in to your member account at Medica.com/SignIn.
2. Select “Programs + Tools” under the “Wellness” section in the navigation menu.
3. Under “Life Time Digital,” click “Sign up”.
4. Once you’ve signed up for your Life Time Digital account, download the Life Time Digital app from the Apple Store or Google Play to begin your journey.

What other workout options are available through my University benefits?

The Wellbeing Program offers on-demand video fitness, mindfulness, and nutrition classes through Wellbeats via the Virgin Pulse portal. Wellbeats offers content for every age, gender, and ability level. Learn more about the program, including how to sign up.

The Wellbeats digital platform offers on-demand video fitness, mindfulness, and nutrition classes. Part- and full-time University employees can access Wellbeats for free! Watch this 90-second video to learn more: 

How to Join Wellbeats

1. Sign up for the Wellbeing Program platform.
2. Log in to the platform via browser window. Note: To access Wellbeats for the first time, you’ll need to use Personify Health (formerly known as Virgin Pulse) through the web portal, not the app. You can do this by logging on with your computer or using the browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.) on your phone. 
3. Click Programs at the top center of the page. 
4. Search for Wellbeats.
5. Click Start Now to be logged in through your Personify Health account.

Ideas to Get Started

Once you’ve signed up, you can browse classes, save favorites, view your watch history, and more. Classes for all abilities, genders, and ages (including kids!) are available. Ideas to get you started: 

• Try a barre, dance, or strength-training workout
• Learn how to sharpen your knife skills to reduce food prep time
• Find exercises to reduce common aches and pains that can come from working at a computer
• Get injury prevention exercise routines for your back, shoulders, knees, and more
• Take a meditation break
• Edit your profile to get personalized class recommendations

If you have any difficulty accessing Wellbeats, please reach out to our U of M-specific Personify Health customer service line: 1-833-996-1870 (Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–8 p.m. CT; accepts TTY services) or email Personify Health at support@personifyhealth.com. 

Wellbeing Points

Watching 20 minutes of Wellbeats videos in a day earns 70 Wellbeing Points. So if you do a 20-minute workout one day and watch a mindfulness video and a cooking video that total 20 minutes the next day, you’ll earn 140 points (70 each day). 

Two changes are coming to the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (“457 Plan”). The 457 Plan is one of two voluntary retirement plans offered through official University retirement savings vendor Fidelity.

As of January 1, 2024, you will be able to make Roth contributions to the 457 Plan. This means that you can make post-tax contributions to the plan, which means qualified withdrawals won’t be taxed.

Previously, the 457 Plan only allowed pre-tax contributions, which are taxed when withdrawn from the plan. Roth contributions were previously only available through the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), another voluntary retirement plan.

The 457 Plan and ORP each offer unique retirement plan features. However, both allow University employees who are paid regularly to save extra for retirement on top of any contributions to the Faculty Retirement Plan (FRP), Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) pension plan, or other personal retirement accounts. Compare your voluntary plan options, and make a free appointment to talk with a Fidelity workplace financial consultant if you’d like to discuss your personal situation.

As of February 1, 2024, If you want to add or update your contributions to the 457 Plan, changes will only take 1–2 pay periods to go into effect. Until February 1, contributions will continue to take as long as 3–4 pay periods to go into effect.

You can enroll or make changes in either the 457 Plan or ORP by logging onto NetBenefits® or by calling Fidelity at 800-343-0860. 

Learn more about voluntary retirement plan options

Now Your U Card is an Employee Transit Pass

For Twin Cities Campus Employees

All Twin Cities benefits-eligible faculty and staff will receive unlimited access to all transit systems in the Twin Cities metro area (rides on the NorthStar require a small supplemental fare for each ride beyond a certain point). 

Employees with 75-100% appointments will receive ETP at no additional cost. Employees with 50-74% appointments who are eligible for benefits, but no contributions from the University, will be able to opt in at their cost via a pretax payroll deduction later this fall. 

The ETP program provides low-cost, equitable, and accessible transportation for eligible employees and helps the University meet its sustainability goals in support of the Climate Action Plan. 

How to activate your Employee Transit Pass

1. If you have a 75-100% appointment, complete the ETP Request Form.  
2. After you receive the activation email, you will have 12 days to tap your U Card at a light rail or bus rapid transit station or at Coffman Memorial Union or St. Paul Student Center activation stations. That should generate a loud beep and flash a "GO" message on the machine screen.
3. If you don't see the "GO" message, tap the U Card twice at least one hour apart at any Metro Transit light rail or bus rapid transit station or at the activation stations. The station should display an "Invalid" message. The second tap should generate a loud beep and flash a "GO" message on the machine screen. 

After activating, the U Card will work on any bus or light rail train.

Per the IRS, the annual deferral limit for 2023 is $22,500, and the 2024 limit is rising to $23,000. This limit applies separately to contributions to the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and 403(b) Optional Retirement Plan. This limit does not apply to any contributions to MSRS pension plan or the Faculty Retirement Plan. 

If you participate in separate 401(k) or 403(b) plans, any contributions to those plans are combined with contributions to the University’s Optional Retirement Plan when determining your yearly contribution limits. You can only contribute the annual limit in total across all of your 401(k) and 403(b) plans.

Likewise, any contributions to another employer’s 457(b) plan will be combined with contributions to the University’s 457 plan to determine the contribution limit. You can only contribute the annual limit in total across all of your 457(b) plans.

Catch-up contributions (ages 50+)

If you are age 50 or over by the end of the calendar year, you can make additional “catch-up” contributions of $7,500 for a total of $30,500 in 2023. This limit is staying the same ($7,500 for a total of $30,500) in 2024. 

For example, if you are 50 or over in 2024, you can contribute a total of $30,500 across any 401(k) and 403(b) plans. You can also contribute a total of $30,500 across any 457(b) plans, for a total of $61,000 across all 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans. 

Where should I go if I have questions?

Please contact Fidelity at 800-343-0860 with any questions. You can also set up a free one-on-one meeting with a Fidelity financial planner to discuss your situation in depth.

University vendor LSS offers several resources to help employees prepare:

• Preparation resources. Read the “Get ready for student loan repayments resuming” post on LSS’s blog.
• Repayment plan guidance. Read the “Is the new SAVE Plan for student loan repayment right for you?” post on LSS’s blog. 
• Financial counseling sessions. Did you know that you can access six free sessions of financial counseling with LSS? Counselors are available to help you budget for making student loan payments, pay off other debt, plan to buy a house, and more. Learn more.

Did you know that just 1% extra per paycheck can lead to thousands (or tens or hundreds of thousands) more dollars to help you enjoy retirement? For example, if you’re 28 years old and make $50,000 per year, adding 1% of your salary (less than $10 a week) to your retirement savings could add more than $160,000 to your nest egg when you retire.*

Use this Fidelity tool to see what a 1% increase could do for you, and sign up for a plan or modify your contributions here.

*See Fidelity tool for disclaimer.