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  • Aetna OAP System Update and Claim Reprocessing

    The University of Illinois System was made aware of an Aetna OAP claim processing error that may have impacted your billing.

  • Free Flu Shots for State Health Plan Participants

    Seasonal flu shots are available at no charge to faculty, staff, and retirees that are state health plan participants.

  • Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

    You are encouraged to use in-network providers to receive the best value from your health plan. No matter which plan you are enrolled in, receiving health care from an out-of-network provider will significantly increase your out-of-pocket medical costs.

  • Review Your Fidelity Beneficiary Designation

    Control where your University of Illinois Fidelity 403(b) inheritance goes! Life changes, and so do your wants and needs. If something happens to you, make sure your beneficiary information reflects your current wishes. 

  • Updated State Benefits Handbook Now Available

    An updated State of Illinois Employees Benefits Handbook was published by the State's department of Central Management Services (CMS).

    This Handbook is updated every five years and it details the State of Illinois health, dental, life insurance, and other programs. The Benefit Choice booklet serves as an annual supplement to this Handbook, which describes any changes and annual rates for that plan year.

    Please review the updated Handbook

  • University of Illinois System Statement on Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct

    The updated University of Illinois System Statement on Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct is available on the System HR website. Please take a few minutes to review this important information.

  • Schedule of Approved Holidays for FY26

    The schedule of approved holidays for fiscal year 2026 is below.

  • Saving For Your Future? Supplemental Retirement Plans Can Help!

    Are you contributing to a supplemental retirement and investment plan? If not, now may be a good time to start!

    The University 403(b) Plan is one of three supplemental retirement plans available to help you start or increase your retirement savings. Enrollment is voluntary and available at any time. There is no employer contribution on the supplemental retirement plans.

  • Verify Your State Benefit Elections

    The new plan year for State benefits (health/vision, dental, and life insurance, and flexible spending and health savings accounts) started on July 1, 2025. If you made any changes during Benefit Choice, you should have received a mailing from CMS at your home address confirming your Benefit Choice elections. Any changes you made went into effect on July 1, 2025.

  • State Health Plan Transition of Services

    The following is important information for employees enrolled in State of Illinois health insurance coverage who made a health plan change for the new plan year, beginning July 1.  

  • Navigating Market Volatility With TIAA and Fidelity

    As a participant in the 403(b) retirement plan, we understand that market volatility can raise questions and concerns. While short-term shifts can be unsettling, it’s important to stay informed and focused on long-term goals. 

  • Important Update: Changes to the 403(b) Retirement Plan

    The University of Illinois System is committed to offering a best in class 403(b) Plan to help you prepare for your retirement goals. After a recent review, an important update to the Plan fee structure is being made, as detailed within this blogpost. 

  • Health Alliance Participants: the Benefit Choice Deadline is Approaching

    The following information is intended for Health Alliance plan participants:

    If you fail to make elections prior to midnight on June 2nd, you and any covered dependents will be defaulted into the Quality Care Health Plan effective July 1, 2025.

  • Deadline Approaching: Benefit Choice ends June 2nd

    The last day to make Benefit Choice changes will be here soon! Remember, you only have until June 2 to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year on https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov

  • Benefit Choice: Submit Your Documentation

    If you made a Benefit Choice change that requires supporting documentation. Please remember to provide your documents by the deadline!

  • Benefit Choice: Make Your Choices by June 2nd

    We’re halfway through Benefit Choice at https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov! Remember, you have until June 2nd to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year.

  • Recorded Sessions: Virtual Retirement Planning Conference 2025

    Recorded sessions and videos from the Virtual Retirement Planning Conference held on Monday, April 28, 2025 are now available. Please see the conference web page. Included here you will find PowerPoint slides, URLs shared during the event, and other related resources. 

  • Designate or Review Your Beneficiaries: State Life Insurance

    Ensure your life insurance benefits are distributed according to your wishes by designating or reviewing your beneficiary designations for your State of Illinois Life Insurance coverage.

  • Benefit Choice: Save on Taxes with a Flexible Spending Account!

    Have you considered participating in the State of Illinois Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan? You can reduce your taxable income when you contribute to this plan

  • MyBenefits Plus Voluntary Benefit Programs

    Did you know that as a full-time State benefits-eligible employee you have access to MyBenefits Plus, a voluntary benefit program? MyBenefits Plus offers a variety of services available to you through payroll deduction. 

  • FY 2026 Benefit Choice Announcement

    The State Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has announced that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Benefit Choice enrollment period will begin May 1 and end June 2, 2025.

  • Benefit Choice Fairs available in May 2025

    Do you have questions about changes and plan options available during the FY2026 Benefit Choice period? The State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) Benefit Choice Open Enrollment Fairs will be held in-person and will have recordings available online throughout the month of May.

  • 2025 Gift Days

    We are delighted to announce that we will once again be granting three gift days to employees eligible for leave benefits in the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year.

  • Register for the Upcoming Virtual Retirement Planning Conference

    Join us for the University of Illinois System Virtual Retirement Planning Conference (VRPC) on Monday, April 28, 2025. This virtual event is designed for faculty and staff who are considering retirement within the next three to five years, and will provide essential guidance to help you plan with confidence.

  • The Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress (SRI2025) is coming to Chicago

    The University of Illinois System is the proud host of this global convening of thought leaders, scientists, and innovators tackling our planet’s most urgent challenges.

    We’re excited to share a preview of the incredible programming and exclusive registration discounts available to our faculty, staff, and students.

  • Urbana: Faculty/Staff Emergency Fund Drive Spring 2025

    The Emergency Fund needs your help!

  • America Saves Week 2025

    The second week of April marks America Saves Week, a week of opportunity to focus on your savings strategies. University of Illinois System approved 403(b) retirement plan investment companies, TIAA and Fidelity Investments, offer these tips and resources to help you help you build a strong financial future:

  • Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

    You are encouraged to use in-network providers to receive the best value from your health plan. No matter which plan you are enrolled in, receiving health care from an out-of-network provider will significantly increase your out-of-pocket medical costs.

    Please note: Health Alliance HMO will no longer be available on July 1, 2025.

  • Are You Retiring or Separating from the University of Illinois System?

    You may be eligible to defer unused vacation leave into the University 403(b) or State or SURS 457 retirement plans

  • Important Update: Health Alliance Insurance Plan Ending - What You Need to Know

    The following information is intended for Health Alliance plan participants.  

    On February 25, 2025, Health Alliance announced it will discontinue its commercial insurance operations at the end of the 2025 calendar year. As a result, through Health Alliance's collaboration with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) the decision was made to end coverage with Health Alliance effective July 1, 2025

  • Important Information for Health Alliance Medical Plan Participants

    The following information is intended for Health Alliance plan participants.

  • Know Your Approved Retirement Plan Representatives

    Be wary of callers attempting to discuss financial investments. Only a few representatives from investment companies are approved to discuss retirement planning.

  • Keep Your Emergency Contacts Updated

    Do you have emergency contacts on file with the University of Illinois System? Are they current?

    It is important to keep up-to-date emergency contact information on file, so U of I System representatives know who to call on your behalf in the unfortunate event of an emergency or accident.

  • 2025 System Office DELTA Program - Nominations are now being accepted!

    Nominations are now being accepted for the
    2025
     Distinguished Employee Leadership and Team Award (DELTA)

    DELTA nominations must be submitted no later than FridayFebruary 28, 2025.

  • Social Security Fairness Act Signed into Law: What You Need to Know

    On January 5, 2025, President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law. This new law repeals two provisions that previously reduced benefits for people who qualify for Social Security and also receive a state pension. If you're one of these individuals, this change could mean higher benefits when you retire.

  • Announcing the 2025 Professional Staff Leadership Academy Cohort

    We are excited to announce the selected participants for the 2025 Professional Staff Leadership Academy (PSLA). PSLA is designed to foster a culture of dynamic and transformational leadership for academic professional and professional civil service staff throughout the University of Illinois System.

  • 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan - 2025 Universal Availability Notice

    403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan - 2025 Universal Availability Notice

  • Live Retirement and Investment Webinars Available

    January is financial wellness month; are you saving for your future? 

  • Update Your Mailing Address and Consent for Online Tax Forms

    Have you moved this year? If you receive your tax forms (e.g., W-2, 1042-S, 1095-C) via Postal Mail, it’s important to update your Mailing Address before December 31, 2024.  Foreign National employees will also have to update their address with the Foreign National Service Center by submitting a ticket at UPB Service Portal.

  • 403(b) and 457 Plan Contribution Limits Increasing

    The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the supplemental retirement plan contribution limits will increase for 2025. As a 403(b) or 457 plan participant, the following information and reminders may be helpful to you.

  • Commuter Benefit Program Contribution Limit Increase for 2025

    The Commuter benefit program contribution limit is increasing for 2025.

  • State Spouse Life Insurance Reduction for Spouses Age 60+

    Due to a change in the Group Insurance Act 5 ILCS 375/7a(5), State Spouse Life Coverage was reduced for spouses aged 60 and over, from $10,000 to $5,000 and the corresponding premium rate of $5.70 was reduced to $2.85 effective October 1, 2024. 

  • Keep Your Personal Information Updated

    Have you reviewed your personal information on file with the University of Illinois System, such as your address and phone number?  

  • SURS Money Purchase Calculation Change

    Earlier this year, SURS announced that the factors table used to calculate SURS retirement benefits under the Money Purchase calculation will change effective July 2, 2025

  • Live Retirement and Investment Webinars Available

    October is National Retirement Security month; are you saving for your future? 

  • Free Flu Shots for State Health Plan Participants

    Seasonal flu shots are available at no charge to faculty, staff, and retirees that are state health plan participants.

  • Are You Retiring or Separating from the University of Illinois System?

    You may be eligible to defer unused vacation leave into the University 403(b) or State or SURS 457 retirement plans

  • Professional Staff Leadership Academy Applications Open for 2025 Cohort

    The Professional Staff Leadership Academy is a system-wide leadership program meant to foster and sustain a culture of exceptional, dynamic, and transformational leadership at all levels throughout the University of Illinois System. 

  • Review/Update Your Mailing Address

    Please make sure your Mailing Address is current and correct so that you receive important information for employment and tax purposes.

  • Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

    You are encouraged to use in-network providers to receive the best value from your health plan. No matter which plan you are enrolled in, receiving health care from an out-of-network provider will significantly increase your out-of-pocket medical costs.