Author: Emily TNiemi

Fragomen: Budget Impasse Could Lead to Federal Shutdown, Though Some Immigration Processing Would Continue

(From Immigration Services)

If appropriations legislation or a stopgap spending bill is not passed by Congress by September 30, 2023, the federal government will enter a partial shutdown on October 1.  

A shutdown is by no means certain.  However, USCIS benefit and State Department visa and citizenship document processing will continue, though with potential delays. 
Department of Labor immigration functions such as LCA, prevailing wage, and PERM processing would be suspended in a shutdown until Congress passes a stopgap spending measure or an FY 2024 budget.

To read the full article, click here.

Summer Travel Planning for Foreign Nationals

If you are a foreign national planning to travel internationally this summer, make sure that you have all the necessary documents, including a passport with sufficient remaining validity, a valid U.S. visa in the appropriate classification, and advance permission to travel if necessary.

If you will need to apply for a visa while you are abroad, be prepared for possible delays in visa issuance.

On reentry to the United States, expect thorough screening at the port of entry.

For more information, visit this link.

Husky Health Incentive Payout

Benefits eligible employees who participated in Husky Health for 2022 and submitted a Husky Health Checklist will receive their elected incentive on Friday, February 24, 2023.

If you elected the Husky Health incentive as a payout to your HSA or FSA you will see this reflected on your pay stub. Employees that elected the incentive for a membership at the SDC, Mont Ripley or Portage Lake Golf Course will be able to redeem their incentive payout on or after February 24, 2023.

Find out more information about Husky Health and other wellness benefits online.

Questions? Contact the Benefits office at benefits@mtu.edu or 487-2517

TIAA Webinars for February 2023

Michigan Tech employees are invited to join the Benefits Office for these free, online, live financial health webinars offered through TIAA this January.

  • Hindsight 2020: A look back at lessons learned in 2020
    • February 15 at 3 p.m. (ET), 2 p.m. (CT), 1 p.m. (MT), 12 p.m. (PT)
    • A look back at 2020 and the lessons learned during this unique time. This presentation will look back at the historical example of 2020 and what we learned in terms of the value of advice, following a discipline risk management strategy and the role lifetime income can play in a sound financial plan.
  • Make the move toward long-term financial security: Your midcareer retirement check-in
    • February 15 at 12 p.m. (ET), 11 a.m. (CT), 10 a.m. (MT), 9 a.m. (PT)
    • For anyone halfway down the road to retirement, this webinar is a critical checkpoint. It takes you through the keys to successful money management, how to juggle competing financial demands and retirement saving strategies.

TIAA Webinars for January 2023

Michigan Tech employees are invited to join the Benefits Office for these free, online, live financial health webinars offered through TIAA this January.

Worldwide: Immigration Processing and Delays During the Holidays

During the Holiday season, many government offices worldwide will close or have reduced staff and operating hours, likely resulting in processing delays for work permits, residence permits, and visas over the coming weeks and into the new year.

These closures are in addition to the remaining closures of government offices due to COVID-19. Please visit this website for up-to-date information on COVID-19 related government closures, travel restrictions, and other related information.

TIAA December Webinars

Michigan Tech employees are invited to join the Benefits Office for these free, online, live financial health webinars offered through TIAA this December.

  • Opening Doors to the Future: Save in a 529 College Savings Plan – December 7, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.
    • You can lean how 529 college savings plans work and how to invest in one for a child, grandchild, yourself or other loved ones.
    • Registration Link

  • Help Protect You, Your Family and Your Money – December 7, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.
    • Are you concerned about identity theft and your family’s security online? TIAA’s Information Security team will discuss how you can protect yourself and your family from cybercriminal social engineering.
    • Registration Link

  • Tax Planning Considerations – December 8, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.
    • This seminar will cover an overview of tax law changes and income tax planning considerations, including whether you will itemize deductions, how this may impact charitable gifting strategies, and what it means for estate and gift tax.
    • Registration Link

  • Write Your Next Chapter: Five Steps to Setting Your Retirement Date – December 8, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.
    • For anyone starting to think seriously about when to retire, this webinar takes you through five steps to deciding when the time is right.
    • Registration Link

  • At Your Fingertips: Manage Your Money From Wherever You Are – December 14, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.
    • Learn about TIAA’s commitment to digital, and how we’re leveraging the latest technologies in our online and mobile tools to help you save time and achieve financial success while you’re on the go.
    • Registration Link

Starting in 2022 TIAA is offering financial education webinars in Spanish. The webinars can be access by clicking here.

Winter Holiday Payroll Schedule

In observance of the Winter Holidays, the University will be closed December 26 through December 30. Below are the adjusted deadlines for the pay period of December 11 through December 24 (Bi-weekly 26). Department timekeeper are responsible for sharing this information with all employees in their department.

Please be sure that all web time approvers have a designated PROXY set up.

• Status Forms & EPAF Submissions Friday, 12/9/22 at Noon
• Deduction Forms Friday, 12/9/22 at Noon
• Electronic Time Submission Monday, 12/19/22 at Noon
• Web Time Entry Approval Monday, 12/19/22 at 2:00 p.m.

Season Day Time Reporting Instructions:
Both hourly and exempt employees should use Earn Code 320 “Seasonal Day” for December 28, 2022, when completing their timesheets for Bi-weekly 01, 2023 (December 25, 2022 – January 7, 2023). This earn code will become available for use within the time reporting systems for BW01. Employees who are using equal time off at a later date should also report those hours under the Earn Code 320.

*There will NOT be an Off-Cycle or Reallocation batch the week of December 19, 2022, due to the holiday processing schedule for Bi-weekly 26. Pay day for BW26 will be Friday, December 30, 2022.
**Status Forms & EPAF Submissions for BW01 will be due Tuesday, December 27, 2022.
***Regular Payroll processing schedules will resume on Monday, January 2, 2023.

For instructions on how to set up a proxy, please visit:
https://www.mtu.edu/hr/supervisors-admins/payroll/docs/web-time-approver.pdf