Human Resources News Blog

TIAA Webinars for January 2023

Published January 9, 2023

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

Basic Estate Planning Strategies: January 10 at 3 p.m. (ET), 2 p.m. (CT), 1 p.m. (MT), 12 p.m. (PT)
- Ensuring that our assets will pass to loved ones, and causes that are near and dear is important to most of us. Discover the components of a basic estate plan and strategies to ensure that your wishes are met.
Quarterly Economic and Market Update with TIAA’s Chief Investment Strategist: January 11 at 12 p.m. (ET), 11 a.m. (CT), 10 a.m. (MT), 9 a.m. (PT)
- Take a closer look at our views on the financial markets, including key market drivers, the U.S. economy, policy and politics, and investing in public markets. We’ll also cover the challenges that investors face and how to navigate them.
Basic Social Security Strategies: January 18 at 3 p.m. (ET), 2 p.m. (CT), 1 p.m. (MT), 12 p.m. (PT)
- Social Security will likely play a significant role in building your retirement income. Learn the basics about Social Security including eligibility, how to apply, how your benefit is calculated and strategies for claiming benefits.
Understanding Health Savings Accounts (HSA): January 18 at 12 p.m. (ET), 11 a.m. (CT), 10 a.m. (MT), 9 a.m. (PT)
- You may know about the tax advantages of contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA), but did you know that HSAs are also a way to save for healthcare in retirement? We’ll help you understand unique aspects of HSAs.
Common Estate Planning Considerations: January 19 at 12 p.m. (ET), 11 a.m. (CT), 10 a.m. (MT), 9 a.m. (PT)
- A common goal that we all share is providing for our loved ones or our favorite organizations. Come learn about the components of an effective estate plan and hear about strategies to ensure that your wishes are met.

Worldwide: Immigration Processing and Delays During the Holidays

Published December 19, 2022

By Emily TNiemi

Immigration Services

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

Published November 17, 2022

By Emily TNiemi

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

Published November 14, 2022

By Emily TNiemi

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

2022 Seasonal Day

Published November 14, 2022

By Emily TNiemi

Announcements

Michigan Tech will provide a paid Seasonal Day on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, in addition to its regularly scheduled holidays for employees.

Employees whose services are necessary on campus on this day will receive equal time off at a later date in coordination with their supervisors.

The University will resume its regular holiday schedule in 2023.

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 (December 25, 2022 – January 7, 2023). This earn code will become available for use within the time reporting systems for BW 01. Employees who are using equal time off at a later date should also report those hours under the Earn Code 320.

General questions regarding the Seasonal Day can be directed to humanresources@mtu.edu or 487-2280.

Time reporting questions for the Seasonal Day can be directed to payroll@mtu.edu or 487-2130.

US Travel Guidance for the Holiday Season by Fragomen

Published November 8, 2022

By Emily TNiemi

Foreign nationals planning to travel internationally and return to the United States this holiday season should consider several additional factors, including evolving COVID-19 policies worldwide, updated U.S. vaccinations requirements, and continued reduced operations at many U.S. consulates.
If you will need to apply for a visa while abroad, be prepared for limited consular appointments in certain regions, possible delays in visa issuance, and potential appointment cancellations due to changing COVID-19 local conditions.
Ensure that all of your travel documentation is accurate and contains sufficient validity to minimize reentry issues.

This alert is for information purposes only. For more information, please visit the original post on the Fragomen website.

Thanksgiving Holiday Payroll Schedule

Published October 31, 2022

By Emily TNiemi

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the University will be closed on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25. The deadlines for Payroll and HRIS forms for the Off-Cycle week ending November 25 will be adjusted as shown below:

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

Status Forms & EPAF Submissions: Wednesday, 11/23/22 at Noon
Deduction Forms: Wednesday, 11/23/22 at Noon
Off-Cycle Requests: Tuesday, 11/22/22 at Noon
Reallocations Submission: Tuesday, 11/22/22 at Noon

For instructions on how to set up a proxy, please click here.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

TIAA November Webinars

Published October 28, 2022

By Emily TNiemi

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
- Get insights into your current financial situation and learn some practical steps you can take to help position yourself for future success.
- Register for the November 10 (12:00pm) Webinar
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.

October “Get Outside” Challenge via Facebook

Published September 30, 2022

By Emily TNiemi

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

Blue Cross Blue Shield Liaison Visit

Published September 27, 2022

By Emily TNiemi

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!