Benefit Series – Estate Planning and Social Security Basics

Published April 3, 2017

Benefits

Benefit Services in conjunction with the Office of Advancement is offering employees an opportunity to learn more about Estate Planning and Social Security Basics. We will be offering two sessions, Estate Planning Basics which will be held on Monday, April 10 and A Piece In the Puzzle of Retirement: Social Security Basics which will be held on Tuesday, April 11.

If you are interested in attending one or both of these sessions, please complete the registration form here. For additional session information, please visit the Benefit Services website.

We hope you will join us and look forward to seeing you there!!

Please contact Benefit Services at 7-2517 or benefits@mtu.edu should you have any questions.

2016-2017 Holiday Schedule

Published June 24, 2016

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Human Resources has published the 2016-2017 Holiday Schedule.

Follow this link to the schedule. holiday-1617

Compensatory Time Tracking

Published June 17, 2016

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Beginning July 3, 2016, eligible hourly employees will track their compensatory time balance using their time entry method (web time entry, department time entry, Time Clock Plus, paper time sheet).

To use this feature, employees will record two different earning types; one to build the balance and one to use the balance. After each pay period is processed, the employee and their time entry approver can view the new compensatory time balance via Banweb.

Supervisors will receive an email requesting the current balance of compensatory time for each hourly employee they supervise. This balance needs to be submitted to Catherine Burns (cahorsch@mtu.edu) via email by Friday, June 24, 2016. The balance effective June 18, 2016 will be loaded into Banweb.

Compensatory time off is leave time in lieu of overtime payment at the calculation of one and one-half hours of each hour of overtime worked.

A supervisor has the option of offering to an eligible employee compensatory time off with pay, rather than overtime payment. All hours granted as time off with pay for hours worked in excess of forty hours per week or eight hours per day are to be considered as compensatory time off and scheduled as one and one-half hours for each overtime hour worked.

The employee decides whether they want to receive overtime pay or compensatory time off. An employee should make a request for compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay before the performance of an overtime assignment. A supervisor cannot require that an employee take compensatory time off. Compensatory time off must be paid out to an employee if the employee leaves the department of the University.

For more information on compensatory time or overtime, please view the Overtime Compensation and/or Compensatory Time Off 2.6017 at: http://www.admin.mtu.edu/admin/policy/pers/6017.htm

Instructions will be sent to supervisors and employees in the coming days. For any questions, please contact Catherine Burns (cahorsch@mtu.edu).

2016 Amazing Challenge Registration Open

Published June 8, 2016

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The fifth annual HuskyPAW/SWEAT Amazing Challenge will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2016.

If you’re not familiar with the HuskyPAW/SWEAT Amazing Challenge, it’s loosely based on the TV show “The Amazing Race.” Teams complete a series of challenges while they race toward the finish line. Challenges are a mix of physical activity and mental challenges or puzzles. Each challenge needs to be completed in order to receive a clue to move forward. While this can be a competitive race for many teams, it can also be a fun family event completed at your own pace.

Register your team of colleagues, friends and family. Teams are limited to four adults, although for those teams that are made up of families with children, we do allow more than four members. The deadline to register is Friday, July 15, 2016, but space is limited. HuskyPAW members will receive bonus points for participating.

Volunteers are also needed the day of the event. If interested, please contact Shannon Brodeur at sbrodeur@mtu.edu.

Tuition Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP)

Published June 6, 2016

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Register Now for TRIP

Eligible employees whose family members will take classes at Michigan Tech may be eligible for the Tuition Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP). The program allows approved family members a 50 percent reduction in tuition at Michigan Tech. Applications to the TRIP program must be completed each academic year.

Students who will be enrolling in Fall semester must send their TRIP application to the Benefit Services office no later than July 1, 2016 to ensure adequate time for processing. Applications may be faxed to (906) 487-3220, sent by campus mail or delivered in person. For security purposes, please do not email applications.

For the policy, eligibility and application, visit Education Benefits. Please contact Benefit Services at benefits@mtu.edu or 906-487-2517 should you have any questions.

Here is the link:

http://www.mtu.edu/hr/current/benefits/additional/

Unemployment Fraud Issues

Published May 19, 2016

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Benefits

Michigan Tech has been receiving occasional unemployment claims for active employees. Employees affected have been contacted by Benefit Services. Benefit Services will dispute the claims which are then sent to the Unemployment Fraud Unit for investigation. Once the investigation is complete, a determination will be issued to all parties involved. Should you be contacted by Benefit Services regarding an unemployment claim filed under your name, you may contact the Unemployment Fraud Unit at 855-842-7463.

Should you become a victim of identity theft, please refer to the Identity Theft Resources page through Information Technology. This page offers valuable information for avoiding misused or stolen social security numbers (SSN) or taxpayer identification numbers (TIN) as well as reporting and fixing a stolen identity.

Please do not modify this information unless you contact me first.

Thank You,

Ginger

2016 Benefits Fair Door Prize Results

Published May 9, 2016

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Benefit Services would like to thank all the employees, retirees, and vendors who attended the 2016 Benefits Fair held last Thursday, May 5, 2016. The Benefits Fair was a success with 282 employees and retirees in attendance as well as up to 30 vendors. Congratulations to the following individuals who were winners of the various door prizes raffled off after the event:

SDC 1 Day Spin Class – Sharri Karppinen
SDC 1 Day Yoga Class – Joe Sever
SDC 1 Day Zumba Class – Joel Vertin
SDC Single Day Admission Passes – Lorraine Watts, Darlene Persha, Linnea
McGowen Hobmeier, Crystal McLeod, Kathleen Lewandowski, Nels
Christopherson, & Nikki Ebert
Portage Lake Golf Course 9-Hole Golf Pass – Heather Kiilunen
Portage Lake Golf Course Golf Ball Sets – Renee Hiller, Jake Manchester, &
Don Close
Athletics 2 Hockey Family Passes – Sue Tomasi & Kimberly Oldt
Rozsa 2 Tickets to a 2016-17 Performance – Renae DesRochers
Pilgrim River Gift Certificate – Erika Erkkila
Applebee’s Gift Cards – Rory Gronevelt, Vicky Roy, & Michelle Reed
Magnuson Franklin Square Inn Gift Certificate – Ray Lasanen
Tranquil Touch Massage Gift Certificate – Penny Foetisch
Maggie’s Massage Gift Certificate – Lorraine Young
J. Jukuri Spa Gift Certificate – Karmen Markham
J. Jukuri Spa Gift Bag – Karen Giddings
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI Herbs & Spices Gift Bag – Carol Asiala
Benefit Services Jawbone UP – Audrey Barnett
Superior Chiropractic Gift Certificate – Carol Schaaf
EyeMed USB Chargers – John Longenecker & Don Kilpela
EyeMed Waterbottles – Tori Connors & Georgeann Larson
EyeMed Golf Balls – Pat McCarthy & Jake Guter

Employee Benefits and Community Service Fair

Published April 29, 2016

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The annual Employee Benefits and Community Services Fair will be held on Thursday, May 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m in the Isle Royale Ballroom in the Memorial Union Building. Visit more than 30 exhibitors hosting a vast array of service organizations including health and wellness, financial and retirement services, life insurance, real estate, recreation, theater.

The fair is free and open to employees and retirees, spouses, partners and adult dependents. Attendees may register for one of many door prizes.

All employees are welcome. Up to 1 hour of university release time is available for employees to attend.

For more details and to see a list of vendors and door prizes, visit: http://goo.gl/forms/bKKqKp3gVO

Social Security Claiming Changes

Published April 27, 2016

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Social Security is in the process of making some claiming changes which could impact some faculty and staff. The changes are scheduled to take effect on April 30, 2016. For details regarding these changes, please visit the Social Security website.

For additional information on these changes, please contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Northstar Employee Assistance Program

Published April 13, 2016

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Benefits

With the fluctuation in weather from warmth to snow, Northstar EAP has provided us with some helpful tips in dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Please keep in mind that Northstart EAP offers eligible faculty and staff, and their spouses and dependents, eight free counseling sessions per person. Please contact Benefit Services at 906-487-2517should you have any questions about Northstar EAP.

Category: Benefits