BenefitMe! November 2024 Newsletter
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas Edison
Your quarterly resource for university benefits news and updates
As we approach the end of the year, take a moment to review reminders about the retirement plan for faculty and exempt staff, new benefit resources and end-of-year reminders to help you finish strong. As always, please reach out benefits@uidaho.edu if you have any questions.
Get Answers with FAQ tool
Need information about onboarding, benefits, payroll or another HR topic? Check out our new FAQ tool, which answers our most common questions. In case you’re wondering, information in the tool was provided by our staff–it does not make use of AI. Still have a question? As always, feel free to contact us by phone or email at 208-885-3638 or hr@uidaho.edu.
ORP Transition to Fidelity
The Idaho State Board of Education is transitioning the retirement plan for faculty and exempt staff from TIAA and Corebridge Financial to Fidelity, effective Dec. 2. There will be a blackout period between Nov. 22 and the week of Dec. 22 while your account transfers to Fidelity, during which you will not be able to make changes to your account. For more information, please visit the transition website. You will also receive updates via email or mail.
Explore CredibleMind and Enter to Win a $100 Gift Card
Employees now have access to CredibleMind, an online self-help platform that’s accessible 24/7. Access articles, videos, podcasts, book and app recommendations, scientifically validated assessments and more on topics related to wellness, mindfulness, personal development, anxiety, sleep, depression and substance use. CredibleMind is confidential and will not share your personal activity with the university. When you complete the mental health check-in assessment by Dec. 15, 2024, you can enter for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Choose to Be Bold
The holiday season can be both joyful and a very stressful time for many. Taking the first bold step to feeling better can be tough, but remember that the university offers free and confidential mental wellness support options to make it easier. In addition to CredibleMind (see above), you have access to leave benefits, no-cost counseling, free online cognitive behavioral therapy, coverage for mental health treatment through Blue Cross of Idaho, and more. Explore our website or contact benefits@uidaho.edu to learn more.
Annual Enrollment Documentation
If you waived coverage or added new dependents during 2025 Annual Enrollment, make sure you upload your required documentation to the myBenefits portal at MyUI > Employee Resources card > myBenefits no later than Jan. 31, 2025. It’s better to get it done sooner in case you experience any difficulty. You may need to submit:
- Proof of your dependents’ relationship to you, such as a marriage or birth certificate, tax return or proof of adoption (if you added new dependents)
- Proof of other coverage (if you’re waiving benefits for 2025)
- See detailed guidance on acceptable forms of documentation and how to upload documentation.
If you don't provide required documentation for new dependents, they will not have coverage in 2025. If you work full-time and don’t provide proof of other coverage, you will be enrolled automatically for employee-only coverage in the High Deductible Health Plan. You won't be able to change your coverage until next year’s Annual Enrollment period or unless you experience a qualifying life event.
Don’t Forget to Submit Your 2024 FSA Claims
If you’ve been contributing to a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (Health Care FSA) and/or a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (Dependent Care FSA) account in 2024, be sure to submit reimbursement claims to HealthEquity at healthequity.com by Dec. 31. Call 888-769-8696 if you need assistance. Remember that any unused funds in the account at the end of the calendar year will be forfeited, so plan carefully and don’t leave any money on the table!
Contact Benefits to Update HSA Contributions
If you need to update your Health Savings Account contributions for the remainder of 2024, please contact benefits@uidaho.edu for assistance before updating your contribution through the myBenefits portal. An update through the myBenefits portal during this time may override elections you made during Annual Enrollment.
Upcoming Events
Check out upcoming webinars from the EAP program:
- Dec. 4: Giving and Receiving Feedback
See the calendar on the Benefits homepage for more events.