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Working on your Pro3 fiscal management certification? In an effort to meet the needs of those on our waiting lists, we've added the following workshops. Register today at my.ufl.edu for: PRO302, “Color of Money: A Guide to How Moneys May Be Spent at UF,” November 27, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., HRS Building, Room 120 PRO303, “Internal Controls,” October 24, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., HRS Building, Room 120 PRO304, “Basic Accounting Concepts, October 23, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., HRS Building, Room 120 Space is limited, so register today! New, earlier application deadline for HEO is November 1 For more information about the Higher Education Opportunity, please visit www.hr.ufl.edu/heo or contact Amanda Moore at (352) 273-1761 or amanda-moore@ufl.edu. Consultants available to help employees with 403(b) retirement planning Investment company representatives are on-site on a regular basis at the HRS Building, 903 W. University Avenue. Please refer to the schedule below if you wish to call for an appointment. AIG Valic Fidelity TIAA-CREF UF sustainability information at your fingertips Are you wondering what UF is doing to be a more sustainable university? Do you want to know more about what you and your department can do? Check out the Office of Sustainability web site for ideas, information, and resources. You can even sign up to receive a monthly newsletter that highlights all the great work UF is doing in this area, as well as event announcements, opportunities to get involved, and tips and answers to your sustainability questions. Employee Education Program now accepting applications for spring semester The Employee Education Program (EEP) is a popular benefit available to eligible UF faculty and staff. The program covers the matriculation fees of up to six credit hours of covered college-level courses per semester. Employees interested in participating in the EEP during the spring semester should register and complete their application forms by the following deadlines: Retirement and financial planning presentations offered This fall, University Benefits and Retirement is offering a variety of informational workshops for employees who want to make informed decisions regarding their investments, retirement planning, and financial well-being. Visit the Training and Organizational Development web site to register and view a full list of classes. Additional workshops will be added to the schedule later in the semester. Women, Wisdom, and Wealth Monday, October 15, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., HRS Building, Room 120 The Women, Wisdom, and Wealth program is specifically designed to help women explore their values and determine what's most important to them, to develop appropriate goals, and to realize these goals through sound financial planning. This workshop will teach you how to take control of your financial situation. Presented by Kirk Kinsman of MetLife Investors Fundamentals of 403(b) and Other Retirement Savings Plans Social Security and Medicare Overview Tuesday, October 30, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Reitz Union, Room 285 This presentation will focus on how benefits are earned and calculated and provide an overview of requirements and benefits associated with the Medicare program. Presented by Clif Copeland, Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration Estate Planning-Establishing and Maintaining Your Estate Plan In this seminar, the basics of estate and gift taxes, as well as various types of trusts, will be discussed. Presented by Mike Keenan of Fidelity Investments Fundamentals of Retirement Income Planning Tuesday, November 6, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Reitz Union, Room 286 This workshop will help you estimate how much you'll need to save for your retirement, discuss the importance of asset allocation, and inform you about choosing the right investments for your particular needs. Presented by Adonis Morris of Fidelity Investments Using the Florida Retirement System to Plan for Your Retirement Wednesday, November 14, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Reitz Union, Room 286 This workshop will discuss the role FRS retirement plans play in meeting your financial goals, and demonstrate how everyday living expenses inflation will dramatically reduce your fixed retirement income. You will gain an understanding of the ongoing financial planning resources available to you as a member of the FRS. Presented by a financial advisor from Ernst & Young Cash & Debt Management: Smart Spending Wednesday, November 14, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., McCarty Hall D, Room G001 This presentation is designed to help you evaluate your current spending habits, create a realistic spending plan, and understand credit reports and what your FICO score means. Examine the cash/debt management process and how it can be used to reduce your debt and manage your credit. Presented by a financial advisor from Ernst & Young |
Changes to Basic and Optional Life plans require new beneficiary designation forms The state’s Basic and Optional Life programs, currently managed by Prudential, will be changing to the Minnesota Life Insurance Company for plan year 2008. Employees will not be required to re-enroll in the plan; however, they will be required to complete a new beneficiary designation form during Open Enrollment that should be mailed to Minnesota Life. For information on how to designate your beneficiary(ies), please view the Minnesota Life brochure, and follow the instructions provided. The core benefits offered under the Basic and Optional plans will remain unchanged. The state will automatically convert plans held by current participants to the new company. Beneficiary designation forms can be found on the People First web site or on the 2007 HRS Open Enrollment web page under the 2008 forms and brochures section. Employees may also make designations by visiting the Minnesota Life web site and establishing an online record. Questions? Contact University Benefits and Retirement at 392-2477 (SC 622-2477) or benefits@ufl.edu. |
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This year the State of Florida and UF will have a number of changes affecting dental insurance. Below are a few important changes for 2008:
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Vision and Tricare plans ending in 2008 Because of federal requirements, the Tricare Supplement plan will not be offered for 2008. If you currently participate in this plan and you make no changes during Open Enrollment, you will be automatically enrolled in the Standard PPO Plan. Coverage in the PPO plan will begin January 1, 2008. Questions? Contact the People First Service Center at 1-866-663-4735 or University Benefits and Retirement at (352) 392-2477 (SC 622-2477). |
Be sure to report all life-event changes UF employees are responsible for reporting any qualifying status events to University Benefits and Retirement or their Human Resource Services satellite office for benefits purposes. All qualifying status events must be reported within 31 days, including:
Outside of the 31-day qualifying status event window, changes to your state-sponsored plans are limited to the annual Open Enrollment period, which takes place in the fall of each year. |
| Employee’s Health Savings Accounts (HSA) contribution limit increases for 2008 This year, employees can increase their contribution to their HSA. The state will continue to make a monthly contribution of $41.66 (individual) or $83.33 (family) into the HSA, up to an annual amount of $500 or $1,000 respectively for 2008. Contributions for part-time employees will vary based on FTE. No matching contribution is required by the employee; however, you do have the option to contribute an additional amount to your HSA on a pre-tax basis. For 2008, employees may contribute up to $2,400 (individual) or $4,800 (family). “Catch-up” contributions of up to an additional $900 are permitted for those ages 55 and older. To participate in a HSA, you must also be enrolled in either the Health Investor PPO or Health Investor HMO plan. Funds deposited into the account earn interest and are not forfeited at the end of the plan year. The funds can be used to pay medical expenses as a result of the increased financial responsibilities assumed by the employee under these plans. In addition, the account is portable, which means that remaining funds stay with the account holder even after employment ends. |
| Open Enrollment for UF term life insurance also held this fall The UF Term Life program is the only life insurance plan that offers coverage for employees, spouses, and eligible dependents. To participate in the plan, employees must be appointed at .50 FTE or greater. During this period, new and current participants may add/increase coverage levels by the following Open Enrollment limits:
For details regarding dependent eligibility and overall coverage limits, please review the HRH Term Life brochure found under the Life Insurance section on the Human Resource Services web site. Employees may apply for coverage above the Open Enrollment limits; however, the enrollment will be subject to medical approval by the company via medical application. Outside of Open Enrollment period, coverage may be increased at any time by completing a medical application. However, employees may decrease, cancel, or change beneficiaries at any time. Please contact University Benefits and Retirement at 392-2HRS (SC 622-2477) or benefits@ufl.edu with questions. |
| Signing up for a state-sponsored supplemental plan? Some of the supplemental plans offered during Open Enrollment require medical underwriting, and enrollment is subject to approval by the supplemental insurance carrier. These include plans offered through: |
Sick Leave Pool Open Enrollment underway Please note that Open Enrollment for the Sick Leave Pool is a separate process from UF’s benefits Open Enrollment period and has its own deadlines. The University of Florida’s Sick Leave Pool enables participating employees to combine a portion of their individually accrued sick leave for collective use. As a member of the Sick Leave Pool, you may draw upon the pool—with approval from the Sick Leave Pool Committee—in instances in which you have used all of your leave hours because of personal, not family, catastrophic injury or illness. |
New to UF? Campus tour and an expanded new employee web page now available Human Resource Services is proud to announce the launch of an updated new employee web page at http://www.hr.ufl.edu/training/neo.htm. This web page is geared specifically toward new employees and provides information on how to make a smooth transition to becoming part of The Gator Nation. You’ll find recommendations about the essential processes new employees should complete upon hire, a new employee checklist, welcome messages from President Machen and Senior Vice President Cavanaugh, information about UF, and answers to frequently asked questions. The web page is designed as a one-stop shop for new employees to start them on the path to successful employment at UF. Campus Tour To register for the tour, log on to the myUFL portal and follow this navigation: My Self Service > Training and Development > Request training enrollment. Enter course number GET026. Questions about these resources for new employees? Contact Heather Adams in Training and Organizational Development at 392-4626 (SC 622-4626), or at heathera@ufl.edu. |
New leadership programs launched!
Participants were selected through a competitive application process by the following selection committee members:
UF Academy: Emerging Leaders The UF Academy exposes emerging leaders to the players and processes that drive UF. Monthly meetings and mentoring provide a framework for participants to use as they move up in the UF organization. Formerly the Finance and Administration Academy launched under the direction of Vice President Ed Poppell, the UF Academy was opened to the entire campus this year. |
Nomination period for Superior Accomplishment Awards is underway The University of Florida’s 2008 Superior Accomplishment Awards nomination period runs from September 14 through October 31, 2007. Eligible for nomination are Academic Personnel, TEAMS employees, and USPS employees. This awards program honors faculty and staff members who contribute outstanding and meritorious service in their fields or to the university. It also seeks to recognize those employees who have made exceptional contributions to the University of Florida’s efficiency and economy or to the quality of life provided to students and employees. Superior Accomplishment Awards are presented each spring semester for the period covering the previous academic year. The 2008 awards honor work done between August 1, 2006, and July 31, 2007. Awards are given in the following six categories, first at the divisional level and then at the university level:
Division-level winners each receive $200 along with a certificate of appreciation and university memento. Each division winner then is eligible to be selected for one of six university-level awards of $2,000 each or one of eight $1,000 awards sponsored by The Gabor Agency (four awards) and HRH of Gainesville Inc. (four awards). In addition, each of the six university-level winners and his or her guest will be invited to attend a University of Florida football game in the President’s Box next season. For additional information about the Superior Accomplishment Awards program, nomination criteria, and nomination forms, please visit the awards’ web site or contact your divisional committee chairperson listed below. The divisional award committees are responsible for the nomination processes and for winner selections in their divisions. Self-nominations are not accepted. DIVISION 1 – All departments, divisions, and units under the Office of the President, Office of Human Resource Services, the Office of Research and Graduate Programs, the Office of the General Counsel, and the Office of University Relations as well as all UF departments, divisions, and units under the Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs (UFF) DIVISION 3 – All schools, colleges, departments, and units under the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs DIVISION 4 – All schools, departments, and units under the Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources (IFAS) DIVISION 5 – All colleges, departments, and units under the Vice President for Health Affairs ( Health Science Center to include Vet Med) DIVISION 6 – All departments and units under the Vice President for Student Affairs DIVISION 7 – All departments, divisions, and units under the Vice President for Business Affairs UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE CHAIR – Jerry Kidney, gkidney@vpha.health.ufl.edu COMMITTEE LIAISON - Kevin L. Clarke, Employee Relations, Office of Human Resources, P.O. Box 110281, 392-4777, kevin-clarke@ufl.edu UF’s Superior Accomplishment Awards program was developed to recognize deserving university employees and is coordinated by the Office of Human Resource Services. The success of this program depends on all of our participation as we seek to express appreciation for exceptional employees and their superior accomplishments. For more information, please visit the award's web site or contact Kevin Clarke at 392-4777 (SC 622-4777). |
Gator Growl 2007 welcomes UF faculty and staff to celebrate the "Nation of Champions"
The pep rally, hosted by Shelley Meyer, will feature student-produced skits and Urban Meyer with the senior football players. Bring the whole family for what looks to be a historic night for UF as Gator Growl vies to become officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the world's largest student-run pep rally," a title it has long unofficially held. This year the Gator Growl staff has reserved a special seating block near the stage for UF faculty and staff! To reserve your seat in the faculty/staff section: (1) Visit the Gator Ticket Office at Gate 1 of the stadium; (2) Call the G.A.T.O.R.S. hotline at (352) 384-3261; or (3) Call the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, ext. 6800. Once you enter your Social Security number into the automated phone system, it will recognize you as faculty/staff. Visit www.gatorgrowl.org for more information. Let the Gator Growl! |
“UF Together for a Safe Campus" 2007 safety brochure now online In an effort to improve student and community safety awareness, utilize current technology (thereby conserving resources), and in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of Florida Police Department has published its annual 2007 "UF Together for a Safe Campus" safety brochure. |
Meal memberships to Gator Dining available to faculty and staff Gator Dining now offers UF faculty and staff a meal membership plan that offers 30 meals at the Fresh Food Company (Broward Dining Hall), Gator Corner Dining Center, and the café at the Cancer/Genetics Research Building, as well as $25 in Flex Bucks. The Flex Bucks that come with your dining membership are accepted at all Gator Dining locations including their three convenience stores. |
There will be no carrier for supplemental vision insurance for the 2008 plan year. If you are currently enrolled in vision insurance, you should take advantage of your vision offerings before coverage ends on December 31, 2007. Many health insurance plans also provide limited vision coverage. Be sure to check with your specific health plan for more details. 
