Benefit Update - Sept. 2022

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Retirement

TIAA 6-Minute Check Up

We all know it’s important to invest and save for retirement, but what if you could also improve your overall ­financial health? Login or register to your TIAA account at TIAA.org/colgate and take a 6-Minute Check-Up. Answer a few simple questions and you'll receive a personalized list of topics. You can track your progress and explore topics when you're ready. Visit TIAA.org to get started.

Retirement Individual Meetings

Fidelity
Virtual Fidelity appointments can be scheduled online at fidelity.com or by calling 1-800-642-7131. (Appointments are available Sept. 22, Oct. 24, Nov. 28, and Dec. 13, 2022.)

TIAA 
Virtual TIAA appointments can be scheduled online or by calling 800-732-8353. (Appointments are available Sept. 15 and 28, Oct. 18, Nov. 3 and 15, and Dec. 7, 2022.)


Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

On Oct. 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced a change to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program rules for a limited time as a result of the COVID-19 national emergency.Millions of non-profit and government employees have federal student loans and may now be eligible for loan forgiveness or additional credit through the Limited PSLF Waiver. Under normal PSLF rules, borrowers must make 120 payments on a Direct Loan while on a qualifying repayment plan and be employed by a qualifying public service employer. Now, for a limited period of time, federal student loan borrowers may receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF.

Learn more about the waiver on the PSLF website. The waiver will allow borrowers to gain additional PSLF credit, even if they had been told previously that they had the wrong loan type or the wrong repayment plan. The waiver ends Oct. 31, 2022. After that, normal PSLF rules will apply. This means that many borrowers need to submit a PSLF form and/or consolidate their non-direct federal student loans by Oct. 31, 2022, to apply for the benefit.

CU WELL Program

As we move into the final quarter of the year, we want to remind employees how to earn the full $300 for Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions. To earn the FSA contribution, employees need to earn a total of 300 points.  Employees hired between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31, 2022 only need to earn 150 points to receive $150 towards your FSA.  
Earn the points by completing healthy activities and attend the On Campus Biometric Screening on Wednesday, September 13. 
Points can be awarded in areas that are important in your life, like how to improve sleep, boost nutrition, or add more movement to your day. Explore online journeys, link a fitness device, track physical activity, and more. It’s your choice! 
To view the point structure visit the Colgate Employee Benefits page under Other Benefit Providers

To Register for a  Bioscreening appointment:
1. Log into Virgin Pulse through the CU Well Website Sign-In on the Colgate Portal
2. Select Benefits at the top of the page and select LabCorp
3. Click Start Now or Continue under Onsite Screening
4. Set Location to Colgate University
5. Select Your Time

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

HigherEd EAP

This program offers a broad array of tools and services to help with problems that might affect your personal or work life. A few examples include: stress, elder care, grief, depression, mental health, and substance abuse issues.

HigherEd EAP also provides a comprehensive wellness benefit designed to help your overall health and well-being, such as losing weight, improving nutrition, getting fit, stopping tobacco use, and reducing stress.

To access the program, simply call the toll-free number 800-252-4555 to talk to a counselor who will work with you to develop an action plan to address your needs. You can also access online information at HigherEdEAP.com for thousands of problem-solving resources and self-help tools. Click on the Employee & Family Login link at the top of the page to create your account.

This is a free, confidential service. No information about your use of the program is provided to Colgate.

Family Services Associates, Inc. 

This program has been designed by Family Services Associates and Colgate University with you and your family in mind. It is private, confidential, and free for up to six visits based on clinical determination. If more visits are necessary, arrangements may be used to continue counseling or a referral may be made.

All information is strictly confidential and not shared without written permission.

Your counselor will help you clarify your concerns and assist you in identifying strategies to address the issues identified. 

Family Services Associates, Inc. 58B Utica Street Hamilton, New York 13346 
Phone: 315-451-2161
familyservicesassociates.fullslate.com

We encourage employees to take advantage of these programs and to give themselves the important gift of self-care. It is certainly acceptable for employees to take time from their work day to take advantage of these programs. Everyone struggles at some point, and we recognize that, during the last two years, we have all dealt with change, uncertainty, illness, or loss of some sort.         

Telemedicine with Excellus

$0.00 copy and $0.00 coinsurance. You can video conference with a psychiatrist or choose from a variety of licensed therapists from the privacy of your own home. You can even schedule recurring appointments to establish an ongoing relationship with one therapist. Here are some conditions people rely on behavioral health telemedicine for: panic disorders, grief and loss, stress, depression, trauma, and PTSD.
    
Don’t wait until you need it. There are four easy ways to activate telemedicine today.
WEB - Register/Log in at ExcellusBCBS.com/Member
APP - Download the MDLIVE app
TEXT - Text EXCELLUS to 635483
VOICE - Call 866-692-5045