Benefits Bulletin April 2025

Welcome to the Benefits Bulletin!

Our goal with this monthly newsletter is to communicate benefit changes and keep you up-to-date and informed on approaching deadlines.

Welcome New Benefits Team Members!

Please welcome Kate Bryant and Meredith Smith to the Benefits Team!

Kate is no stranger to JMU. She previously held the position of Front Desk Assistant in Human Resources and is now moving into the role of Benefits Specialist. Kate graduated from JMU in 2020 with a degree in Anthropology. She is excited to be able to assist people with their benefits through all of life’s changes.

Meredith graduated from JMU with a degree in Public Administration and a minor in Exceptional Education. She brings a wealth of experience in the accessibility and disability services field, along with experience in the clinical setting working with federal, state, and private insurance. Passionate about helping others, Meredith is dedicated to using her skill set to guide people through the complexities of benefits to help them best achieve their goals for both the expected and unexpected events life may bring.

Open Enrollment

May 16 - May 30, 2025

Please be aware we have just been notified by the Office of Health Benefits (OHB) that this year’s open enrollment dates for health insurance and flexible spending accounts have been changed to May 16 – May 30. As a reminder, open enrollment is the annual period of time to enroll, make changes, or waive health insurance coverage. Additionally, during open enrollment each year, you must re-enroll in flexible spending accounts to continue participating.

The annual Spotlight highlighting health insurance and flexible spending account information will not be mailed to employees this year. Rather, employees will receive an electronic Spotlight sent to their email address.

We will communicate more information as it becomes available.

April's Featured Benefit

This month's featured benefit is...

Cancer Advocate Plus

During open enrollment this year, we are adding a new voluntary benefit, Cancer Advocate Plus. Champion the fight with this groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind cancer benefit. Cancer Advocate Plus combines financial protection, cancer care, and includes genetic cancer screening to help employees determine their risk for cancer, as well as pharmacogenomic testing to determine their best treatment based on their own DNA.

Additionally, Cancer Advocate Plus provides a dedicated oncology nurse advocate to coordinate clinical trial enrollment, expert medical review, and so much more, including financial protection.

For diagnosis of cancer on or after the effective date of the policy, Cancer Advocate Plus provides the following financial protection:

• Upon cancer diagnosis: $5,000 cash payment
• 6 months after diagnosis: $2,500 cash payment
• 12 months after diagnosis: $2,500 cash payment

Why consider Cancer Advocate Plus?

• To help prevent cancer by understanding hereditary risk
• To extend your healthcare team
• To access the latest medical advances for cancer diagnosis and treatment
• To provide financial protection

There are no health questions during this initial offering to enroll (guaranteed issue). All employees working at least 17.5 hours per week are eligible for the benefit, as well as the employee’s legally married spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner.

Register today for an upcoming Lunch & Learn session to discover the full power of Cancer Advocate Plus.

• May 13, 2025 12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m.
• May 22, 2025 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• May 27, 2025 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Additionally, representatives from Pierce Insurance Agency will be available to meet with you regarding this new benefit during open enrollment.

• Monday, May 19 - Tuesday, May 20 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the Wine-Price Building
• Wednesday, May 21 from 6:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Facilities Management Annex Building
• Wednesday, May 21 from 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the Wine-Price Building
• Wednesday, May 21 at 9:30 p.m. at the Facilities Management Annex Building
• Thursday, May 22 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the Wine-Price Building
• Friday, May 23 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the Wine-Price Building

2025 Modified Summer Work Schedule

President King and the senior leaders are pleased to implement a modified summer work schedule for James Madison University for 2025.

The university will adopt a modified summer schedule beginning Monday, May 19 and ending Friday, August 8, 2025.

• University hours of business operation will be 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday.
• University hours of business operation will be 8:00 a.m. – noon on Friday.
• Full-time employees must work a 40-hour workweek or use leave to make up the difference. Not doing so could jeopardize JMU's ability to provide modified summer scheduling.
• Employees may work past noon on Fridays to fulfill their 40-hour workweek.
• Alternate work schedules that meet the 40-hour workweek are acceptable with supervisory approval.
• Departments and supervisors who have employees working an adjusted schedule after noon on Fridays will determine customer service expectations.
• Full-time employee work schedules will need to be adjusted during the week of Memorial Day to account for the eight-hour holiday. For the weeks of Juneteenth and Independence Day holidays, work schedules will need to be adjusted to account for the eight-hour holiday on Thursday (June 19 and July 3) and the four-hour holiday on Friday (June 20 and July 4). The workweek (taking designated holiday hours into account) must equal 40 hours. See Holiday Schedule and University Closings.
• All leave requests are subject to supervisor’s approval.

If you have questions regarding the modified summer work schedule, please review the 2025 Modified Summer Schedule Frequently Asked Questions or contact Reagan Neese, Leave Specialist, neeserw@jmu.edu, 540-568-3974.

JMU strives for flexibility in scheduling, work-life balance, and employee satisfaction.

Non-Sanctioned Solicitations

We have been made aware of voicemails that employees are receiving regarding an educational outreach program to discuss retirement options. These types of communications are not sanctioned by JMU Human Resources, and we recommend not responding to the voicemail.

Please see the list below of our retirement plans and approved vendors. There are many resources available for you to speak with individuals regarding your retirement plans at the university.

• Virginia Retirement System
• Optional Retirement Plans
• 403(b) and 457 Providers

Feel free to reach out to benefits@jmu.edu if you have any questions.

Need to Talk with an Expert?

• April 25 - Fidelity, Punchai Paul Vutiprichar - online scheduling or punchai.vutiprichar@fmr.com
• May 1 - Voya Financial, Janice Parker - online scheduling or 612-217-9476
• May 1 - Aflac, Michael Glover - michael_glover@us.aflac.com or 540-997-3201
• May 7 - Aflac, Michael Glover - michael_glover@us.aflac.com or 540-997-3201

April's Social Security Column Newsletter

REPRESENTATIVE PAYEES HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

Some people who receive monthly Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments may need help managing their money. When we receive information that indicates you need help, we’ll work with you to find the most suitable representative payee to manage your benefits. A representative payee is someone who receives your monthly benefit payment on your behalf and must use the money to pay for your current needs, including:

• Food
• Clothing
• Personal care items
• Housing and utilities
• Medical and dental expenses
• Rehabilitation expenses (if you have a disability)

If you need help managing your benefits, tell a Social Security representative that there is someone you want to be your representative payee. Your representative payee should be someone you trust and interact with often, and who clearly understands your needs. Social service agencies, nursing homes, or other organizations are also qualified to be a representative payee. Ask them to contact us.

You can write to us within 60 days of being assigned a representative payee if you don’t agree that you need one or if you want a different representative payee.

We also offer Advance Designation, which allows you to name up to three people who could serve as a representative payee for you if the need ever arises. There may come a time when you can no longer make your own financial decisions. You and your family will have peace of mind knowing that someone you trust may be appointed to manage your benefits for you.

You can submit your Advance Designation request when you apply for benefits or after you are already receiving benefits. You may also do so through your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount or by calling and speaking to a Social Security representative.

You can find more information at www.ssa.gov/payee.

HOW BUSINESS OWNERS CAN MAKE SOCIAL SECURITY PART OF THEIR RETIREMENT PLANNING

Most business owners are focused on growing their business and legacy. But at some point, they must consider a plan for retirement. That’s why it’s important for business owners to begin thinking about how Social Security fits into their retirement planning. Social Security benefits are part of the retirement plan of almost every American worker – including business owners.

Since there are specific rules for business owners, they should speak with a financial advisor or accountant before applying for benefits. One of the biggest mistakes some business owners make – aside from starting retirement planning too late – is not having a plan at all. This is where a financial expert can give advice on how to prepare for retirement.

Business owners can use their personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount to determine eligibility for retirement benefits as well as get a benefit estimate. Our publication, If You Are Self-Employed, at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10022.pdf, provides important information about Social Security taxes for business owners as well as how to report earnings. Don’t delay, start your retirement planning today! For more information visit our Plan for Retirement webpage at www.ssa.gov/prepare/plan-retirement.

Please share this information with your loved ones.

CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS CLAIM ONLINE

If you applied for Social Security benefits, or have a pending reconsideration or hearing request, you can check the status online using your free personal my Social Security account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount to review the following information about your appeal:

• Date of filing.
• Current claim location.
• Scheduled hearing date and time.
• Incomplete applications.
• Servicing office location.
• Publications of interest, depending on the claim and current step in the process.

If you have questions about retirement, disability, Medicare, or survivor benefits, or about Supplemental Security Income, visit our webpage at www.ssa.gov/benefits.

Please share this information with your loved ones.

PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE DURING FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH

Every April we celebrate Financial Literacy Month to promote financial education and well-being in the United States. Financial Literacy Month also serves as a reminder that Social Security is a vital part of any financial plan. Our online tools are here to help you understand your potential Social Security benefits and how they fit into your financial future.

You should periodically review your Social Security Statement (Statement) using your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Your Statement is an easy-to-read summary of the estimated benefits you and your family could receive, including potential retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

If you’re planning to retire, you can read our publication When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10147.pdf. This publication provides resources to help you prepare for retirement.

Please tell your friends and family about the steps they can take to improve their financial knowledge by exploring their personal my Social Security account. If they don’t have an account, they can easily create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR SSI AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

You may be able to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) even if you already receive Social Security benefits. About 2.5 million adults and children get SSI and Social Security at the same time.

We pay Social Security benefits to workers and their eligible family members based on the worker’s earnings. SSI is a needs-based program that provides payments to people with little or no income and few resources.

People younger than 65 must be blind or have a disability and meet SSI income and resource limits, while people 65 and older do not have to have a disability. About 1.4 million people 65 and older receive both SSI and Social Security.

What do we mean by “little or no income”?

In 2025, you may be eligible for SSI if your total income – including your Social Security benefit – is less than $987 per month (the 2025 SSI monthly federal benefit rate plus $20).

We consider income from all non-work sources, including pensions, veterans’ benefits, unemployment, and Social Security disability, retirement, and survivor benefits. We also count some – but not all – earnings from work, including self-employment.

What do we mean by “few resources”?

Resources are things that you own that you could change to cash and use to support yourself. They include vehicles (if you own more than one) and money in bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. We do not count your home and the land it’s on, as long as you live there. To be eligible for SSI, your resources cannot be worth more than:

• $2,000 for a single person.
• $3,000 for a married couple living together.

For more information visit our blog article, You May Be Eligible for SSI and Social Security Benefits at blog.ssa.gov/you-may-be-eligible-for-ssi-and-social-security-benefits.

Please share this information with others who may benefit – and post it on social media.

Webinars

• April 23 - Legal Resources Seminar - Conversations for Caregivers: Medical Care Types register online or view all seminars
• April 24 - TIAA Webinar - Navigating the Sandwich Generation register online or visit TIAA.org/webinars
• May 7 - TIAA Webinar - How Can I Afford College for My Kids and Grandkids register online or visit TIAA.org/webinars

JMU Employee Appreciation Day

May 22, 2025

Find more information HERE!

Hit the road to health and wellness with tips and information on employee benefits that can help us thrive in four key areas: medical, physical, emotional, financial, and occupational. Think of it as a routine tune-up that can help us discover ways to boost well-being and steer towards better health and greater happiness! Buckle up and join CommonHealth as we take charge of our health and wellness journeys together!

Register HERE!

Upcoming Benefits Training: Retirement 101: Understanding Your VRS Retirement

Are you contemplating retirement? Have you set a retirement date? What do you do next? What benefits will you receive? What is the timing of everything?

Come to Retirement 101 and learn the answers to all the questions above and more! Learn about your retirement options through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS), discuss the impact on benefits when you retire and learn how myVRS and human resources can aid in retirement planning.

Retirement 101: Understanding Your VRS Retirement (HR1212)

Wednesday, June 4, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Register with course number HR1212 in MyMadison

THANK YOU FOR READING!

This bulletin has been brought to you by the JMU Benefits Team. If you have any questions or would like to reach out to us, please give us a call at 540-568-3593, visit us on the web at www.jmu.edu/humanresources/benefits, or email us at benefits@jmu.edu. Look for the Live Chat on our website and reach one of us instantly!