blog posts

• Coming Soon: SURS Deferred Compensation Plan

  Nov 22, 2021 8:00 am395 views

  Coming in January 2022, SURS will be offering a new, voluntary retirement savings opportunity that will be available to SURS-eligible employees through payroll deduction. The SURS 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) is supplemental to your SURS Traditional, Portable, or Retirement Savings Plan.

• 403(b) and 457 Plan Contribution Limits

  Nov 18, 2021 7:45 am663 views

  The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the supplemental retirement plan contribution limits will increase for 202. As a 403(b) or 457 plan participant, the following information and reminders may be helpful to you.

• Required Mandated Reporting Training – Coming November 15, 2021

  Nov 9, 2021 8:00 am1398 views

  All University of Illinois System employees, including those holding 0% (unpaid) appointments, are mandated reporters under the Illinois Abused and Child Reporting Act (ANCRA). The ANCRA legislation requires you to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). ANCRA was amended in 2019 to require training for mandated reporters every three years. Prior to the amendment, training was required only once, upon hire.

• November 2021 Wellness Connection

  Nov 3, 2021 1:00 pm0 views

  The November 2021 Wellness Connection Newsletter is now available! In this issue: World Kindness Day, White Chicken Chili, It is Never Too Late!, Family History is Worth Knowing, and an Interview with Amy Glenn, Assistant Director for Business Process Improvement for AITS.

• Update Your Profile on My UI Info

  Oct 28, 2021 7:30 am499 views

  Have you earned a degree or advanced degree recently? Earned or renewed a certification? Or moved to a new address?

  Please review your profile on My UI Info and update with any changes to ensure your information is current.

• Review your TIAA Beneficiary Designation

  Oct 19, 2021 1:00 pm210 views

  Control where your University of Illinois TIAA 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.

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  Be Well Illinois Wellness Challenge

  Oct 19, 2021 12:00 pm135 views

  Be Well Illinois invites State employees, retirees, and covered dependents to participate in a 6-week Coast-to-Coast wellness challenge. Participants will record physical activity and have the opportunity to explore meditation and mindful eating activities.

• MetLife Advantages Program

  Oct 14, 2021 3:00 pm218 views

  Did you know that in addition to basic term life coverage, SEGIP benefits-eligible employees have access to additional services through the State Life Insurance vendor, MetLife?

• Review your Fidelity Beneficiary Designation

  Oct 12, 2021 12:00 pm207 views

  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.

• October 2021 Wellness Connection

  Oct 6, 2021 1:00 pm0 views

  The October 2021 Wellness Connection Newsletter is now available! In this issue: Healthy Lung Month, Stuffed Pepper Casserole, Know When to Get Help for Stress, Improving Emotional Intelligence, and Wellness Lessons Learned During the Pandemic Survey Report.

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

  Oct 5, 2021 7:30 am469 views

  You may be eligible to defer unused vacation and/or compensable sick leave into the University 403(b) or State 457 retirement plans.

• Professional Staff Leadership Academy

  Oct 4, 2021 11:15 am118 views

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

• COVID-19 Paid Leave Temporarily Extended

  Oct 1, 2021 5:00 pm370 views

  As communicated this past spring, the paid time off for COVID-19-related reasons provided to employees under the federal American Rescue Plan ends September 30, 2021. As of the date of this notice, federal action has not renewed that program. 

  At this time, the University of Illinois System will continue to provide a limited amount of paid sick time off to employees to support COVID-19 vaccination requirements.  

• Reminder: Verify Your Benefit Choice Elections

  Sep 30, 2021 11:00 am321 views

  The new plan year for State benefits (health/vision, dental, and life insurance, and flexible spending accounts) started on July 1, and any changes you made during Benefit Choice are now in effect. If you have not already done so, now is a great time to verify your benefit elections and payroll deductions.

• MyBenefits: Review/Add Your Email Address

  Sep 30, 2021 7:30 am269 views

  Receive State-benefits notices from MyBenefits faster by providing your email address!

• Free Seasonal Flu Shots - Urbana

  Sep 28, 2021 10:15 am574 views

  Seasonal flu shots will be available at no charge to state benefit-eligible faculty, staff, retirees, and State of Illinois employees, beginning Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at various locations on campus. See Urbana Flu Shot Clinic for details.

• Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

  Sep 23, 2021 8:00 am405 views

  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.

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

  Sep 21, 2021 3:00 pm190 views

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

  Did you know that the University 403(b) Plan fund lineup was recently streamlined, resulting in a core lineup of funds to encourage optimal savings with lower cost-expense ratios and reduced plan costs?

• Review/Update Your Mailing Address

  Sep 17, 2021 1:00 pm299 views

  Have you reviewed your mailing address recently?

• SURS Money Purchase Factors Change

  Sep 16, 2021 4:00 pm925 views

  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, 2022. This change is a result of a study required by state statute. Read on to determine if you are impacted by this change, and for important considerations if you are thinking about retirement. 

• Deadline September 30: Submit FSA Claims for FY2021

  Sep 15, 2021 7:30 am223 views

  Only a few weeks remain to submit your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) claims for the FY2021 plan year! Any remaining claims for services from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, must be submitted by September 30 for reimbursement.

• Keep Your Personal Information Updated

  Sep 9, 2021 7:30 am277 views

  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.

• MyBenefits Unavailable September 8 - 12

  Sep 2, 2021 7:30 am462 views

  The MyBenefits Service Center and MyBenefits.illinois.gov will be unavailable from 6 p.m. September 8th – September 12th for a system upgrade.

• September 2021 Wellness Connection

  Sep 1, 2021 1:00 pm0 views

  The September 2021 Wellness Connection Newsletter is now available! In this issue: Lifestyle Changes to Improve Cholesterol, Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Apples and Onions, Addiction and the Brain, Prepare to Protect, and Interview with Vice President Adrienne Nazon.

• Time Off for COVID-19 Vaccination Purposes

  Aug 27, 2021 9:00 am368 views

  The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) enables the University of Illinois System to provide COVID-19 vaccine-related time off to faculty and staff through September 30, 2021.

  Employees of the University of Illinois System who meet the qualifying criteria may now be eligible for leave related to accompanying or caring for a related individual receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.

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

  Aug 16, 2021 7:30 am185 views

  The 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.

• Reminder: State Benefit Updates Effective July 1

  Aug 16, 2021 7:30 am385 views

  We’d like to provide a general reminder about some State benefits changes that took effect July 1, 2021.

• 403(b) Plan Changes Complete: Review Your Account

  Aug 12, 2021 3:00 pm557 views

  Changes to the University of Illinois 403(b) Plan are now complete.

  Now that funds have been mapped to the new streamlined fund lineup, you are encouraged to log into your Fidelity and/or TIAA account to review your portfolio to ensure the asset allocation is consistent with your retirement goals. You may make fund changes at any time (up to once per business day). No action is necessary if you do not wish to make any changes.

• Returning from Leave - State Benefits Coverage

  Aug 12, 2021 7:30 am135 views

  During an unpaid leave, Central Management Services (CMS) mails bills directly to State benefit participants, and bills are to be paid in full to CMS. Failing to pay premium bills can result in your coverage being terminated.

• Your Flexible Spending Account: Login with HealthSafe ID

  Aug 6, 2021 7:30 am488 views

  Last month, we communicated that the FSA vendor, ConnectYourCare (CYC), is transitioning to Optum Financial. As part of this change, participants will now log into their accounts using HealthSafe ID. HealthSafe ID provides the enhanced security of two-factor authentication to keep your information secure.

• August 2021 Wellness Connection

  Aug 4, 2021 1:00 pm0 views

  The August 2021 Wellness Connection Newsletter is now available! In this issue: Summer Sun Safety Month, Fig and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese & Pecans, Self-Care: Finding the Time, Eight Dimensions of Wellness, and an Interview with the UI Stride Winners.

• Last Chance! 403(b) Plan Changes: Attend a Webinar

  Aug 2, 2021 7:30 am284 views

  Upcoming 403(b) Plan enhancements will be effective soon. You have just a few more days if you’d like to make any changes prior to the fund mapping for streamlining of the fund menu. If you would like to make any changes to your asset allocation prior to mapping, you must complete your transaction(s) ahead of the stock market closing (3:00 PM CST) on Friday, August 6th.

• Juneteenth Holiday

  Jul 26, 2021 7:30 am1028 views

  As President Killeen announced in his June 17th communication, we are pleased to add Juneteenth National Independence Day to the University of Illinois System holiday schedule beginning June 2022.

• Reminder! 403(b) Plan Changes: Attend a Webinar

  Jul 19, 2021 7:30 am310 views

  Last month, we announced important upcoming enhancements to the University 403(b) Plan.

  Prepare for Upcoming Changes
  To help you navigate this change to the new streamlined fund lineup, transition guides and live informational webinars are available. The same webinar will be repeated multiple times with each company.

• State Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation

  Jul 14, 2021 8:00 am357 views

  We recently communicated that MetLife is the new Life Insurance Carrier for the State of Illinois Employees’ Group Insurance Program (SEGIP). See below for some important updates regarding this transition.

• Your Flexible Spending Account: Verify Deductions and Reminder

  Jul 13, 2021 8:00 am189 views

  At the beginning of a new benefit year, it’s a good idea to review your payroll deductions to ensure the appropriate amounts are being withheld. You should view the benefit deductions on your Earnings Statement to ensure your FSA deductions and other benefit deductions are correct.

• HealthLink Participants: Watch for Your Updated ID Card

  Jul 9, 2021 11:45 am344 views

  New for FY 2022, your HealthLink ID card will only have your (the primary member’s) name listed.  You will not receive separate cards with covered dependents’ names as you have in previous years.  Additionally, your middle initial(s) will not be on the ID card.

• July 2021 Wellness Connection

  Jul 7, 2021 3:30 pm0 views

  The July 2021 Wellness Connection Newsletter is now available! In this issue: Strengthen Your Social Muscles, Southwestern Crockpot Chicken, Healthy Habits, The Power of Time Off, and Employee Spotlight with Cassie Tafilaw.

• 403(b) Plan Changes: Attend a Webinar

  Jul 7, 2021 1:00 pm326 views

  Last month, we announced important upcoming enhancements to the University 403(b) Plan.

  To help you navigate this change to the new streamlined fund lineup, transition guides and live informational webinars are available. The same webinar will be repeated multiple times with each company.

• Verify Your State Benefit Elections

  Jun 30, 2021 11:00 am399 views

  The new plan year for State benefits (health/vision, dental, and life insurance, and flexible spending accounts) starts on July 1, 2021. 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 will be in effect tomorrow.

• New State Life Insurance Carrier - MetLife

  Jun 29, 2021 3:00 pm952 views

  MetLife is the new Life Insurance Carrier for the State of Illinois Employees’ Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) with coverage transitioning July 1, 2021. Please watch your mail regarding the plan summary and rate information. 

• Unemployment fraud, phishing on the rise via text, email, social media

  Jun 28, 2021 12:30 pm1198 views

  Following is a general notice and reminder to all University of Illinois System faculty and staff to be aware of an increase in identity theft-related unemployment fraud and phishing schemes.

  The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) issued a press release urging citizens to be on high alert for phishing schemes attempting to impersonate and exploit IDES and unemployment systems across the country. Note: IDES will never send a text message seeking your personal information, such as your social security number or driver’s license number.

• Reminder: Be Alert for Phishing Attempts

  Jun 24, 2021 4:15 pm145 views

  Be cautious of unexpected messages or emails asking you to urgently log in to a website or service. Please protect your personal information.

• Introducing University 403(b) Plan Enhancements

  Jun 22, 2021 8:30 am3142 views

  We are pleased to announce important upcoming enhancements to the University 403(b) Plan.

  The University of Illinois System is committed to providing a best in class Supplemental 403(b) Plan to help support your financial wellbeing and to help you prepare for your retirement goals.

• ConnectYourCare is transitioning to Optum Financial

  Jun 18, 2021 12:15 pm1386 views

  ConnectYourCare (CYC), the current vendor for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), is transitioning to Optum Financial over the coming months. During this time, you may see both the CYC and Optum Financial names on program materials.

• Junteenth Holiday

  Jun 17, 2021 6:00 pm0 views

  I am delighted that President Biden and Governor Pritzker each signed legislation this week declaring Juneteenth a holiday on both the federal and state levels.

• June 2021 Wellness Connection

  Jun 2, 2021 1:00 pm0 views

  The June 2021 Wellness Connection Newsletter is now available! In this issue: Active Recovery for Better Workouts, Cherry Berry Smoothie, Step Up for PTSD Awareness, The Benefits of the Great Outdoors, and A BIG Thank You to Leana Coffey.

• State of Illinois Budget Update

  Jun 2, 2021 8:00 am0 views

  Over the holiday weekend, the Illinois legislature approved a budget for the coming fiscal year that would hold state appropriations at current-year levels for the University of Illinois System. The proposed budget will be sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is expected to sign it into law.

• HSHS Medical Group Provider Coverage for FY22

  May 27, 2021 4:30 pm215 views

  HSHS Medical Group will continue to serve Aetna HMO, Aetna OAP, Quality Care Health Plan (QCHP) and Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP) for FY22.

• Last Chance: Benefit Choice Ends Tuesday, June 1!

  May 26, 2021 8:00 am239 views

  Benefit Choice ends Tuesday, June 1! This is your final reminder to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year on https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov. Elections will be effective July 1, 2021