Human Resources News Blog

Category: Benefits

TIAA December Webinars

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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.

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TIAA November Webinars

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

  • Inside Money: Managing Income and Debt – November 8, 2022 at 3:00pm
    • Discover how to help make your money work harder by using your cash flow more effectively, developing good saving habits and better managing debt.
    • Register for the November 8 Webinar

  • The Power of Savings – November 9, 2022 at 3:00pm
    • Whether you’re the kind of person that lives and spends in the now or plans for what’s ahead, there are always ways to save smarter. You’ll learn a number of strategies for better managing your money so you have the knowledge and confidence to pay your bills, save for a riany day, and achieve any larger financial goals you’ve set for yourself.
    • Register for the November 9 Webinar

  • Financial Housekeeping for Now and Later – November 10, 2022 at 12:00pm
  • Money at Work 2: Sharpening Investment Skills – November 10, 2022 at 3:00pm
    • Feel more secure in your savings strategy by verifying you’re on the right track. And if you’re off track, know what adjustments you need to make. Learn how to plan your investments and hold on to as much of your nest egg as possible.
    • Register for the November 10 (3:00pm) Webinar

  • Lifetime Income: Market-proof your Retirement – November 16, 2022 at 3:00pm
    • You diversify your investment portfolio before retirement to help offset risk. A similar strategy can help see you through retirement. Learn how creating a diversified income plan – one that uses a combination of income sources and includes annuity income that’s guaranteed for life – can help reduce the risks you may face in retirement and ensure you have income that never runs out.
    • Register for the November 16 Webinar

These webinars count toward Option 2 in your Husky Health Checklist. Follow Michigan Tech Wellness on Facebook for upcoming health and wellness initiatives supported by the Benefits Office, which may count toward your 202 Husky Health Checklist.

All webinars are recorded and available for viewing 90 days after the live event. Visit TIAA.org/webinars to register or watch past presentations on demand.

Watch for more information on upcoming December webinars in Tech Today!

Spanish Speaking Webinars: Starting in 2022, TIAA is offering financial education webinars in Spanish. The webinars can be accessed here.

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October “Get Outside” Challenge via Facebook

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MTU Wellness challenges you to get outside at least 4 days a week for at least 20 minutes in the month of October!

Participants will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a $40 gift certificate to Coppler Farm.

This Challenge runs from October 1 to October 31, 2022. The winner of the raffle will be announced after October 31 on the MTU Wellness Facebook page!

Week 1: October 1 – 9
Week 2: October 10 – 16
Week 3: October 17 – 23
Week 4: October 24 – 31

To be eligible for the raffle:

  • Like & Share the “Get Outside” Challenge Facebook Post with a coworker/colleague employed at MTU
  • Must be a Michigan Tech Employee to win
  • Comment on the MTU Wellness daily Facebook posts with your activity (photos welcome!)

Questions about the October Challenge can be left in the comments section via Facebook.

Need inspiration?

  • Read a book
  • Walk/Run
  • Bike, Rollerblade, ATV, etc.
  • Yard Work
  • Play with a pet
  • Visit with a friend
  • Watch a sunrise/sunset
  • Watch a sporting event

Need extra accountability? Challenge a friend to do it with you!

For more information about Coppler Farm, visit their Facebook page.
Coppler Farm: “Come Riding”
Trail Rides, Lessons, Boarding
copplerfarm@up.net
906-201-1374
12080 North Laird Road
Pelkie, MI 49958

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Blue Cross Blue Shield Liaison Visit

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Please join Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Group Service Liaison, Tamara Yates, as she helps you understand your Michigan Tech employee BCBS health plan. Tammy will be on campus Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in MUB Alumni Lounge A (107A) to educate you on the following:

  • BCBS Health Benefits
  • BCBS Claims
  • Using the BCBS Website
  • Understanding Your Explanation of Benefits (EOB)

No appointment is necessary, simply show up!

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On-Campus Meetings with TIAA Consultant

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Ryan Hallowell from Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) will be available on Michigan Tech’s campus on the following dates and times for one-on-one-sessions:

  • Tuesday, September 27 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | MUB Datolite Room
  • Wednesday, September 28 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | MUB Superior Room
  • Thursday, September 29 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | MUB Datolite Room

No matter where you are in life – just getting started or planning for retirement – a session with TIAA can help you create a plan for your goals. There is no additional cost – it’s part of your retirement plan! You’ll get answers to these questions and more:

  • Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
  • Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
  • How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?

RSVP today, as space is limited.

Register for sessions with TIAA directly (click Schedule under the Your Employer category and select Michigan Tech from the dropdown menu).
Or, register by calling 800-732-8353 on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

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Free Fidelity Live Webinars

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Join the Benefits Office this spring for the following free, live webinars through Fidelity. You do not need to be an investor with Fidelity to participate in these webinars.

April 15 at 12:00pm (Noon): Learn the Basics of When and How to Claim Social Security
-Understand Social Security
-Considerations for claiming Social Security benefits
-Decide when to take Social Security benefits
Register for the April 15th webinar here

April 29th at 12:00pm (Noon): Prepare for the Reality of Health Care in Retirement
-Estimate retirement health care costs
-Understand available options before and after age 65
-Plan for retirement health care costs
Register for the April 29th webinar here

These webinars count toward Option 2 on your Husky Health Checklist!

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Upcoming Employee Financial Health Webinars through Fidelity and TIAA

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Join the Benefits Office for these upcoming, free, live webinars scheduled this spring!

March 10th at 1:00pm:  Looking to turn your retirement savings into a “paycheck” for life? 
Join TIAA Sr. Director-Miguel Shefferson as he teaches you to diversify your investment portfolio before retirement to help offset risk.  A similar strategy can help see you through retirement.  Learn how creating a diversified income plan—one that uses a combination of income sources and includes annuity income that’s guaranteed for life that can help reduce the risks you may face in retirement and ensure you have income that never runs out. 
Register for the March 10th webinar here

April 15th at 12 noon:  Learn the Basics of When and How to Claim Social Security.
-Understand Social Security
-Considerations for claiming Social Security benefits
-Decide when to take Social Security benefits
Register for the April 15th webinar here

April 29th at 12 noon:  Prepare for the Reality of Health Care in Retirement.
–Estimate retirement health care costs
-Understand available options before and after age 65
-Plan for retirement health care costs
Register for the April 29th webinar here

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Lunch & Learn: Understanding Your Blue Cross Blue Shield Explanation of Benefits (EOB)

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Please join us at noon on Tuesday, March 15th in the MUB as we welcome Molly Mikesch, Client Engagement Manager for Michigan Technological University from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.  Molly will be discussing “How to Understand your Explanation of Benefits.”  During this discussion, Molly will go through how to set up an online account through BCBSM and how employees and members can see and better understand their explanation of benefits through BCBSM.  Please bring your device(s) as this will be an interactive session for all members. 

Please email benefits@mtu.edu to reserve your seat today!

This Lunch & Learn counts toward Option 2 in your Husky Health Checklist

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Lunch & Learn: Orthodontic Prevention: Oxymoron or Contemporary Paradigm?

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February is Children’s Dental Health month! Please join our dynamic and entertaining speaker, Dr. Darin Ward of UPWard Orthodontics, on Tuesday, February 15 at 12:00pm in the MUB Ballrooom B1 as he discusses preventative orthodontics. Dr. Ward will explore why so many kids (and adults) today are told that they “need braces.” Dr. Ward will present his thoughts on the causes of crooked teeth and less than ideal jaw growth/facial growth and what you can do about it. It is a lot simpler than you think and unfortunately like most simple things, it’s hard to do! Whether you are an adult considering orthodontics or the parent of a child whose smiles needs attention, this presentation and discussion is a must attend.

Please email benefits@mtu.edu to reserve your seat today!

This Lunch & Learn counts toward Option 2 in your Husky Health Checklist.

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Heart Health – Lunch & Learn

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Join Dr. Zachariah DeYoung from Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center on Tuesday, February 8 at 12:00pm for a Lunch & Learn in the MUB Ballroom B1 as we celebrate Heart Health Month.

Because there’s a movement for primary care doctors to focus more on outcomes that mean something to the patient rather than abnormal numbers on tests, health care providers are now encouraged to focus more on helping their patients get health and stay that way than the previous focus on “throwing pills at labs.”

Join DeYoung for a conversation on:
-How this is playing out in the prevention of cardiovascular disease
-Why you might be able to stop taking that daily aspirin
-How there’s no such thing as routine labs anymore

Please email benefits@mtu.edu to reserve your seat today!

This Lunch & Learn counts toward Option 2 in your Husky Health Checklist

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