Open Enrollment for the State Employee and Retiree Health Benefits will take place from October 15 through November 28, 2018, for the new plan year that begins on January 1, 2019. Please note, once the open enrollment period closes, you will not be able to make any changes to your benefits until the next open enrollment period unless there is a qualifying event such as marriage, the birth of a child etc.

Regular Status Employees:

If you are not making any changes to your current benefits, you do not have to do anything. The only exception to this rule is that if you currently have Flexible Spending Account (FSA) coverage, you must re-enroll in it to keep it active for 2019. Contact 410-669-3893 to make changes to your current plan and to re-enroll in FSA. Review the IVR instructions carefully. Your ID is your Social Security Number. For your 4 digit pin, you will enter the day and month you were born (mm/dd). To review the changes you made, you must call the above-noted number after 24 hours.

Reference Material:

• 2019 Benefits Guide
• 2019 Rate Sheet for Regular Status Employees
• Regular Status Enrollment Form (required for new enrollees only)
• 2019 Wellness Plan Activities

Please remember to submit the supporting documents to OHR before November 28, 2018 (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate etc.)

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As a feature of the UMD Family Care Resources & Referral Service, the University Human Resources sponsors free eldercare consultations. All faculty, staff, graduate assistants and students are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable, free resource.

There are appointment times available for the University Elder Care.

When:

Wednesday, October 10, 2018 and Thursday, October 25, 2018, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Where:

Room 4204, Toll Physics Building (UMD)

Please make an appointment directly with Karen Hansen at 301-775-3132 or email at karen.gpspartners@gmail.com.

Did you know?

There is a comprehensive list of resources listed on USG’s Office of Human Resources Website to help employees manage their competing work and personal priorities, and care for their loved ones. You can access family/eldercare resources here.

Maryland Healthy Working Families Act

The State of Maryland has adopted the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, which requires employers to offer paid sick and safe leave (SSL) to eligible employees who are not already provided equivalent leave benefits under existing policies. The legislation became law February 11, 2018. The law provides employees who are regularly scheduled to work a minimum of 12 hours per week with paid SSL accrued at a rate of one hour of SSL for every 30 hours worked.

What are acceptable uses for SSL?

• To care for or treat the employee’s mental or physical illness, injury, or condition;
• To obtain preventative care for the employee or the employee’s family member;
• To care for a family member with a mental or physical illness, injury, or condition;
• Maternity or paternity leave; or
• The absence from work is necessary due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking committed against the employee or the employee’s family member when the leave is used: (1) to obtain medical or mental health attention; (2) to obtain services from a victim services organization; (3) for legal services or proceedings; or (4) because the employee has temporarily relocated as a result of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking

How does SSL affect University employees?

The following employment categories that have no equivalent paid leave benefits may be eligible for SSL based on eligibility criteria and hours worked:

• Hourly Staff
• Hourly Faculty
• Hourly Undergraduate and Graduate Student Employees

The following employment categories that already earn equivalent leave benefits may utilize SSL as part of, not in addition to, existing sick leave provided by the University:

• Regular Faculty
• Regular Staff
• Contractual Salaried Staff
• Post-Doctoral Scholars and Associates
• Other Salaried Faculty

Graduate Assistants do not earn paid leave benefits, but are eligible for “time away from duties” as outlined in the Graduate Catalog under Policies for Graduate Assistantships.

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The Department of University Human Resources (UHR) Office of Employee Benefits is now accepting tuition remission forms for Fall 2018. Please submit your forms promptly to the Office of Human Resources by July 31, 2018.

Instructions for Regular Staff:

• University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) forms are submitted online via the ARES website
• The paper Tuition Remission Form must be completed for tuition remission requests for other USM institutions.
  • Each institution has specific policies and procedures for the tuition remission benefit.
  • Before submitting a tuition remission request for another USM institution, the applicant should contact the USM institution she/he wishes to attend to obtain guidelines and restrictions that may exist at that institution.

Instructions for Regular Staff requesting Tuition Remission for Spouse/Dependent:

• To be eligible for spouse or dependent tuition remission, please ensure you have completed at least two years of employment with USM. (Tuition Remission Guidelines)
• Your spouse or dependent can only qualify if the tuition remission request is for the first undergraduate degree
• Full tuition remission benefits are only available if your spouse or dependent enrolls at UMCP. For further details, please refer to USM Policies and Procedures, Policy VII – 4.20
• Your dependent or spouse may only be eligible to receive 50% tuition remission of the request is to attend another USM institution

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TIAA AT USG

No matter where you are in life – just getting started or planning for retirement – a session with TIAA Financial Consultant can help you create a plan for your goals. And, it’s at no additional cost as a part of your retirement plan. You’ll get answers to these questions and more:

• Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
• Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
• How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?

Meet Adhanom Yohannes, your dedicated TIAA representative who is ready to help you pursue your financial goals.

Where: USG Building III – Room 5124

When: August 09, 2018 (9:00 am – 3:15 pm)

        November 06, 2018 (9:00 am – 3:15 pm)

Appointments are directly scheduled with TIAA. You can register online at www.TIAA.org/schedulenow or by calling 800-732-8353.

RSVP TODAY, as space is limited.

Fidelity at USG

Fidelity has built its reputation helping people create the future they envision. They are committed to helping you meet your savings goals at no additional cost!!

Meet Ashley Conway, your dedicated Fidelity representative who is ready to help you answer questions such as:

• Am I investing properly?
• Am I on track with my retirement savings?
• How do I bring my retirement savings together?
• How do I turn retirement savings into ongoing, steady income?

Where: Building III – Room 5124

When: May 29, 2018 (9:00 am – 4:30 pm)

Appointments are directly scheduled with Fidelity. You can register online at getguidance.fidelity.com or call 800-642-7131. Walk-ins will not be accommodated.

Schedule your free one-on-one today!!

The Department of University Human Resources (UHR) Office of Employee Benefits is now accepting tuition remission forms for Summer Sessions I and II 2018. Employees must have an active, approved appointment with a start date no later than May 29, 2018, for Summer Session I and July 9, 2018, for Summer Session II in order for the employees to be eligible for tuition remission.

UMCP CAMPUS REQUESTS:

Application for tuition remission is completed online. An electronic “Tuition Request” form is available on the ARES website, by selecting “Access my Forms”.

If the applicant is requesting tuition remission for both summer sessions, TWO separate TR-Elf forms must be completed. The forms should be submitted to the departmental approver by June 4, 2018, for Summer Session I and July 16, 2018, for Summer Session II. Forms received after the deadline will not be processed.

OTHER USM INSTITUTIONS:

The paper Tuition Remission Form must be completed for tuition remission requests for other USM institutions. Each institution has specific policies and procedures for the tuition remission benefit. Before submitting a tuition remission request for another USM institution, the applicant should contact the USM institution she/he wishes to attend to obtain guidelines and restrictions that may exist at that institution.

Please review the following guidelines for detailed tuition remission information and deadlines. We strongly encourage you to submit your form early.

Tuition Remission Guidelines

Tuition remission policy and guidelines for all employees, spouse/dependents and retirees can be found at http://uhr.umd.edu/benefits/tuition-remission/

If you are an early, mid-career, or employee approaching retirement, meet with Kevin L. Pittman, your Nationwide Retirement Specialist, for your Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plans. Kevin will help you enroll, make deferral chances, consolidate outside pre-tax accounts into the Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plan (401k/475b/403b through Nationwide Retirement) and review the different investment options available.

Please see the flyer below for location and time details.

To schedule your one-on-one appointment, please click here. Should you experience any problems with registering, please feel free to give your retirement specialist, Kevin Pittman a call at 301-395.2453 or email him at pittmk2@nationwide.com.