2007 Open Enrollment information

Open Enrollment and Benefits Fair kick off October 1

Look for mailings and visit the HRS Open Enrollment web site for the latest information

Eagles dental plan ends this fall

State-sponsored plan changes for 2008 include vision, dental, and more

UF-sponsored plans also available during Open Enrollment

Health and life insurance premiums for 2008 show minimal increases on employer and part-time employee contributions

Enhancement made to “My Self Service” in myUFL

New domestic violence leave policy introduced

Under a new Florida law, as of July 1, 2007, Florida employers must provide employees up to three days of leave in a 12-month period if the employee or a family or household member is a victim of domestic violence. The following activities are covered by this law:

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Last month, the State of Florida’s People First web site underwent a major redesign that provided online users new functionality to make certain changes to benefits and access to data previously unavailable, while still maintaining a user-friendly enrollment process. Some of the enhancements included:

• Ability to review enrollment history
• Access to additional premium information
• Availability to request early effective dates for health and life insurance
• Ability to view additional dependent information and documentation
• Access to vendor contacts, brochures, and other plan information

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New, earlier application deadline for HEO is November 1; information session to be offered

The University of Florida’s Higher Education Opportunity (HEO) provides children of full-time TEAMS employees with the opportunity of tuition assistance for an undergraduate education at the University of Florida.

In March 2008, Human Resource Services will select at random from a pool of eligible HEO applicants 50 TEAMS employees to participate in this program. Each eligible employee may submit one child’s name into the drawing. To be considered for this benefit, the TEAMS employee must apply for the HEO by November 1, 2007.

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Nomination forms for the 2008 Prudential Financial Davis Productivity Awards program, which annually honors state government employees throughout Florida, are now being accepted.

In addition to honoring “innovation, creativity, and smart work,” the awards program recognizes individuals and work units that have adapted or implemented previous years’ award-winning achievements to create added value. Eligible for nomination are individuals, teams, and work units as well as entire state agencies or their divisions, regions, districts, and institutions. Nominations are accepted each year in the fall with award-winners announced in March.

This year, the Davis Productivity Awards nomination forms will be completed and submitted online. Visit HRS’ web site to link to the Davis Productivity Awards site and begin the nomination process. Instructions will be available to walk you through the new online process.

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2007 University of Florida Community Campaign kicks off this month

September 24 marks the beginning of the 2007 UF Community Campaign (UFCC). The UFCC provides UF faculty and staff with an opportunity to make a positive difference in our community by contributing to organizations that support the needs of North Central Florida.

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Sick Leave Pool Open Enrollment begins October 1

Qualifying University of Florida employees may sign up for the Sick Leave Pool during its Open Enrollment period from October 1 to 31 or during the 30 calendar days following their first year of employment. During the Sick Leave Pool open enrollment, all applications must be received by Central Leave Administration by 5 p.m. on October 31.

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.

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Leaving university employment? What you need to know about leave cash-out

USPS and TEAMS employees as well as many faculty members are eligible for certain leave payments (based on accrued leave balances and years of service) upon termination. Your departmental payroll administrator is responsible for terminating your employment and initiating the leave cash-out transaction in the myUFL system after your end date is entered. Cash-out amounts of less than $2,000 will be issued as a check and sent by your departmental representative to you at the address listed on your W-4 form or another address you provide to him or her. Cash-out amounts of less than $2,000 are subject to federal withholding, Medicare, and OASDI.

Since the fall of 2006, all cash-outs equal to or exceeding $2,000 (up to the limit imposed by the IRS for the plan year) are deposited into a Retirement Special Pay Plan, a 401(a) plan administered by BENCOR.   

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