blog posts

• Your Flexible Spending Account: Verify Deductions and Reminder

  Jul 13, 2023 8:30 am79 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.

• 2023 Salary Program

  Jun 22, 2023 10:30 am1420 views

  It’s our pleasure to share the news with you that a 4% merit-based salary program across the University of Illinois System will take effect Aug. 16 for faculty members and academic professionals, and Aug. 20 for civil service staff. This represents an increase from last year and continues to be an important priority in our budgeting process.  

• Verify Your State Benefit Elections

  Jun 22, 2023 9:00 am93 views

  The new plan year for State benefits (health/vision, dental, and life insurance, and flexible spending and health savings accounts) starts on July 1, 2023. If you made any changes during Benefit Choice, you should have received or will soon receive a mailing from CMS at your home address confirming your Benefit Choice elections. Any changes you made will be in effect July 1, 2023. 

• Illinois Family Bereavement Leave Act

  Jun 14, 2023 9:00 am85 views

  Earlier this year, we communicated the leave provision changes due to the  Illinois Family Bereavement Act. The University of Illinois System Human Resources website has been updated to reflect these changes and may be viewed on the Family Bereavement Leave webpage.

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

  Jun 8, 2023 8:00 am48 views

  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.

• System Access Removal after Employee Separation

  May 31, 2023 4:15 pm72 views

  Removing system access in a timely manner for applications such as Banner, HRFE, iBuy, Chrome River, and the EPIC system at the University Hospital is critical to help ensure our data and resources are secure. Removing access to critical systems when an employee separates is necessary to maintain good internal controls over appropriate access to our university systems.

• Last Chance: Benefit Choice Ends Wednesday, May 31!

  May 30, 2023 8:00 am39 views

  Benefit Choice ends Wednesday, May 31! 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, 2023.

• Flexible Spending Re-Enrollment and Reminders

  May 26, 2023 8:00 am35 views

  The end of Benefit Choice is May 31. If you haven’t re-enrolled in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Program for the plan year beginning on July 1, 2023, you have until May 31 to do so at https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov. No action is required if you are not re-enrolling in an FSA or making any other Benefit Choice changes!

• Be Cautious: Retirement and Pension Meetings Email

  May 25, 2023 9:00 am51 views

  We are aware that University of Illinois System employees may have received an email yesterday asking employees to schedule a “retirement and pension meeting.” That email was NOT sent by the university nor SURS, and is NOT from one of our approved retirement plan providers. Please exercise caution whenever you receive email from unknown sources.

• Deadline Approaching: Benefit Choice Ends May 31!

  May 19, 2023 8:00 am76 views

  The last day to make Benefit Choice changes will be here soon! Remember, you only have until May 31 to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year on https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov, including health, dental, life insurance, flexible spending account (MCAP/DCAP) enrollment, and health savings account (HSA) enrollment. Elections will be effective July 1, 2023.

• Benefit Choice: Submit Your Documentation

  May 12, 2023 8:45 am185 views

  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 May 31

  May 12, 2023 8:00 am55 views

  We’re halfway through Benefit Choice at https://MyBenefits.illinois.gov! Remember, you have until May 31 to make your State benefit elections or changes for the upcoming plan year. Elections will be effective July 1, 2023. For help registering and logging in to MyBenefits, see the MyBenefits FAQs.

• MyBenefits Plus Voluntary Benefit Programs

  May 4, 2023 8:00 am48 views

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

• Schedule of Approved Holidays for FY24

  Apr 27, 2023 8:45 am246 views

  The schedule of approved holidays for fiscal year 2024 is below.

• FY 2024 Benefit Choice Announcement

  Apr 25, 2023 8:00 am497 views

  The State Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has announced that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Benefit Choice enrollment period will begin May 1 and end May 31, 2023.

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

  Apr 19, 2023 8:00 am137 views

   Have you considered participating in the State of Illinois Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan? If you spend $265 or more per year on recurring eligible medical or dependent care expenses, then you may save money by paying for them with an FSA. 

• Urbana: Faculty and Staff Emergency Fund Drive Spring 2023

  Apr 13, 2023 8:00 am32 views

  The Emergency Fund needs your help!

• COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave Ends May 11, 2023

  Apr 12, 2023 2:00 pm110 views

  Effective May 11, 2023, the COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave offered in accordance with Illinois Public Act 102-0697 is expected to end. After May 11, 2023, you will need to use your own accrued sick leave or other appropriate paid or unpaid leave for time needed for COVID-19 reasons.

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  Designate or Review Your Beneficiaries: State Life Insurance

  Apr 12, 2023 8:00 am63 views

  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.

• MyBenefits: Review/Add Your Email Address

  Apr 6, 2023 8:00 am43 views

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

• Health Plan Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers

  Apr 5, 2023 8:00 am40 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.

• SURS Webinars and Recordings Available

  Apr 4, 2023 8:00 am52 views

  Are you interested in learning more about the State Universities Retirement System (SURS)? 

  SURS offers webinars for members at different stages of their careers. Recorded sessions are available to play on-demand, or you may register to attend a live session. 

• Live Retirement and Investment Webinars Available

  Mar 20, 2023 4:00 pm42 views

  Fidelity Investments and TIAA are offering live retirement education webinars this spring. These webinars are designed to help you learn more about your retirement planning and investment options as a University 403(b) Plan participant. 

• SURS Updates: Spring Stakeholders Meeting

  Mar 13, 2023 8:00 am27 views

  SURS participants are invited to attend the SURS Virtual Spring Townhall and Stakeholders Meeting on April 13th, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST. This semi-annual webinar, offered each Spring and Fall, is an opportunity to hear updates from SURS about SURS benefits, investments, legislation, and funding. 

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

  Mar 8, 2023 8:00 am83 views

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

• My UI Info Race/Ethnicity Designation

  Mar 1, 2023 10:15 am39 views

  The University of Illinois System strives to be an inclusive environment, which includes giving you the opportunity to specify your race/ethnicity to the university. A new option has been added to My UI Info which will allow you to indicate Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) as your race/ethnicity if you identify as such.

• America Saves Week

  Feb 23, 2023 10:00 am23 views

  Next week marks America Saves Week, an opportunity to focus on your savings strategy. University of Illinois System approved 403(b) retirement plan investment companies, TIAA and Fidelity Investments, offer tips and resources to help you get into a saving mindset.

• LTD Plan Open Enrollment Begins February 20

  Feb 20, 2023 9:00 am346 views

  Open Enrollment for the University Supplemental Long Term Disability (LTD) Plan is available now through March 10, 2023!

• Know Your Approved Retirement Plan Representatives

  Feb 16, 2023 10:00 am73 views

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

• Coming Soon: Open Enrollment for University Long Term Disability Plan

  Feb 13, 2023 9:00 am45 views

  You may be eligible for the University Supplemental Long Term Disability (LTD) Plan. This voluntary plan is a supplement to the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) disability benefit and may provide additional coverage if you become unable to work due to sickness or injury.

• Keep Your Emergency Contacts Updated

  Feb 8, 2023 7:00 am87 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.

• Family Bereavement Leave Act

  Feb 3, 2023 8:45 am298 views

  The State of Illinois Family Bereavement Act, effective January 1, 2023, includes leave provisions allowing eligible employees to take up to ten days of unpaid leave following a qualifying event involving a covered family member.

• February 2023 Wellness Connection

  Feb 1, 2023 1:00 pm0 views

  The February 2023 Wellness Connection Newsletter is now available! In this issue: Heart Health, Chupe de Camarones (Peruvian Shrimp Chowder), Cancer Doesn't Wait and Neither Should You, and Interview with Ann Marie Jack Haluzak.

• 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan - 2023 Universal Availability Notice

  Jan 26, 2023 10:00 am188 views

  403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan - 2023 Universal Availability Notice

• Announcing the 2023 Professional Staff Leadership Academy Cohort

  Jan 26, 2023 10:00 am144 views

  We are delighted to announce the selected participants for the 2023 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.

• 2023 System Office DELTA Program - Nominations are now being accepted!

  Jan 17, 2023 10:00 am50 views

  Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 Distinguished Employee Leadership and Team Award (DELTA).

• Update Your Mailing Address and Consent for Online Tax Forms

  Dec 8, 2022 1:00 pm2193 views

  Have you moved this year? If you receive your tax forms (e.g., W-2, 1042-S) via Postal Mail, it’s important to update your Mailing Address before December 31, 2022.  Foreign National employees will also have to update their address with the Foreign National Service Center by submitting a ticket at UPB Service Portal.

• Designate or Review Your Beneficiaries: State Life Insurance

  Dec 8, 2022 8:00 am209 views

  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

• Annual Update to Long Term Disability (LTD) Premiums

  Dec 6, 2022 8:00 am107 views

  Participants in the University LTD Plan may notice a change to your payroll deduction amount. The deduction is calculated annually and is effective for the period of December 1, 2022 - November 30, 2023.

• Updated Federal Employment Poster: Know Your Rights

  Dec 2, 2022 11:00 am61 views

  The U.S. Department of Labor recently updated their Know Your Rights labor law poster that outlines important information regarding workplace discrimination. You may access and review this poster on the System Human Resource Services Required Federal and State Posters webpage. Your HR office also has this information posted so it may be reviewed when working on-site.

• System Offices November/December/January (2022 - 2023) Year-End Calendar

  Nov 21, 2022 3:15 pm145 views

  As we approach the December/January (2022-2023) year-end calendar, please refer to the System HR tool that outlines work days, paid holidays and gift days, how to report leave time, and timesheet/payroll deadlines.  

• COVID-19 Restored Sick Leave and Retroactive Paid Administrative Leave

  Nov 10, 2022 9:00 am315 views

  You may be eligible to request the restoration of certain leave or unpaid time taken for qualifying COVID-related reasons. In accordance with Illinois Public Act 102-0697 the University of Illinois System offers COVID-19 Restored Sick Leave and Retroactive Paid Administrative Leave to eligible employees.

• 403(b) and 457 Plan Contribution Limits Increasing

  Nov 7, 2022 4:00 pm1742 views

  The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the supplemental retirement plan contribution limits will increase for 2023. As a 403(b) or 457 plan participant, the following information and reminders may be helpful to you.

• November 2022 Wellness Connection

  Nov 3, 2022 1:00 pm4 views

  The November 2022 Wellness Connection Newsletter is now available! In this issue: Caring for Yourself as a Caregiver, Gallo Pinto (Rice and Beans Costa Rican dish), Take a Proactive Approach this Winter to Combatting SAD, Having the Talk, Interview with Marcy Kujawski, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Counselor, Faculty Staff Assistance Services.

• Keep Your Personal Information Updated

  Oct 26, 2022 11:00 am139 views

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

  It is important to regularly review and update other information such as address, phone number, gender, ethnicity, marital status, and disability status to ensure your information on file is current and accurate. Your information is kept confidential and emergency contact information is accessed only in the case of a personal emergency and will never be made publicly available.

• Review your TIAA Beneficiary Designation

  Oct 24, 2022 10:00 am55 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.

• Review your Fidelity Beneficiary Designation

  Oct 24, 2022 10:00 am87 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.

• Suspicious Email: Retirement and Pension Meetings

  Oct 19, 2022 1:30 pm51 views

  We are aware that many University of Illinois System employees may have received a suspicious email this morning urging employees to schedule a retirement consultation. That email is NOT from an approved retirement plan vendor, and you should exercise caution. Please be cautious whenever you receive email from unknown sources.

• Election Day Holiday

  Oct 12, 2022 4:00 pm575 views

  Everyone is encouraged to vote during the upcoming general election. Following is a general reminder about time off to vote.

• Live Retirement Education Webinars Available

  Oct 12, 2022 3:45 pm74 views

  Fidelity Investments and TIAA are offering live retirement education webinars this fall. These webinars are designed to help you learn more about your retirement planning and investment options as a University 403(b) Plan participant.