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Benefits Bulletin March 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.

Holiday Reminder

Friday, March 21 is a university holiday.

March's Featured Benefit

This month's featured benefit is...

TicketsatWork provides 20 – 70% off on movies, hotels, shows, concerts, sporting events and more. Here are just a few of the savings through TicketsatWork:

  • Save up to 60% off on hotels worldwide (guaranteed price match within the first 24 hours of booking)
  • Save up to 50% off on theme parks
  • Save up to 30% off on movie tickets
  • Save up to 40% off on shows and events worldwide
  • Save up to 50% off on water parks
  • Save up to 70% off on shopping deals
  • Receive access to over 80,000 events worldwide (concerts, sporting events, shows and more)
  • Get great deals on gift cards with no convenience fees

As part of their Employee Appreciation campaign, TicketsatWork will be providing all employees with a $10 promotion code, with no minimum purchase required. You will receive an email on March 12 from TicketsatWork, providing you with the necessary code to utilize the $10 promotion.

Signing up with TicketsatWork is simple:

  1. Go to https://ticketsatwork.com/tickets/account.php?sub=enroll
  2. Fill out information to become a member (select sign up with company code)
  3. For company code, use “DUKEDOG”
  4. Complete the rest of the form, then select submit

Once you create an account, you will receive emails from TicketsatWork with special offers and top picks!

Upcoming Benefits Training: TicketsatWork Lunch & Learn

This is your opportunity to learn more about TicketsatWork – your cost-free employee perks and discount program that offers you exclusive access to discounts and deals on a variety of categories such as travel, entertainment, wellness, shopping, and more!

It’s their way of supporting your personal and professional well-being by helping you save on everyday activities and special occasions.

They will navigate how to enroll and manage your account, what type of products you can find, and how to apply additional savings like FunLife Rewards loyalty points and promo codes.

You will also have the chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate during Q&A, at the end of the presentation.

We look forward to having you join us!

This Lunch & Learn is hosted through Microsoft Teams. Please use the link below to join the meeting when it is time.

Wednesday, March 19, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Join the meeting now, Meeting ID: 262 975 969 913, Passcode: Kp2fn98B

Virginia Retirement System Member News

Be sure to read the latest issue of Member News from VRS. Included in this issue is information on managing your defined contribution plans under Voya Financial, crafting a financial plan, and saving more for retirement with new catch-up options. Subscribe to Member News directly for the latest updates.

March's Social Security Column Newsletter

SOCIAL SECURITY AND SCAM AWARENESS

Social Security imposter scams continue to be widespread across the United States. Scammers use tactics to deceive you into providing sensitive information or money. If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email, or call, do not respond.

We will NEVER:

  • Text or email images of an employee’s official government identification.
  • Suspend your Social Security number.
  • Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee.
  • Require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency, or cash by mail.
  • Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
  • Mail or email “official” letters or reports containing your personal information.

We only send text messages in limited situations, including:

  • When you have subscribed to receive updates and notifications by text.
  • As part of our enhanced security when accessing your personal my Social Security account.

If you owe money to us, we will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights. Social Security employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record or have requested a phone call from the agency. If there is a problem with a person's Social Security number or record, Social Security will typically mail a letter.

We encourage you to report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — to the OIG’s website at oig.ssa.gov/report. You can find more information about scams at www.ssa.gov/scam. Please share this information with your friends, family, and colleagues to help spread awareness about Social Security imposter scams.

SOCIAL SECURITY’S SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND SURVIVORS BENEFITS TOOLKITS

We’ve released new resources to help you better understand Social Security benefits. We’ve designed easy-to-use toolkits to provide education about our programs for children and our benefits for families after the death of a loved one. Our toolkits (School Professional and Survivor Benefits) are downloadable PDFs that include ready-to-go communications, such as sample email blasts, newsletter articles, handouts, and social media posts.

The School Professional Toolkit at www.ssa.gov/marketing/assets/materials/toolkit-ss-benefits-and-ssi-payments-for-children.pdf is for teachers, school counselors, and other educators. The purpose of this toolkit is to educate parents and guardians about the financial help we provide. We make payments to students with disabilities and to those who have experienced the loss of a parent or have a parent who is receiving retirement or disability benefits.

The toolkit discusses:

  • Eligibility requirements.
  • How to apply.
  • How to respond to requests for school records and forms.
  • Evidence we need from school professionals to determine whether a child with a disability may be eligible for SSI.

The Survivors Benefits Toolkit at www.ssa.gov/marketing/assets/materials/toolkit-ss-survivors-benefit.pdf is for funeral homes, care facilities, and other organizations working with people who have lost a loved one. This toolkit increases awareness about survivors benefits for eligible family members. We make monthly payments to surviving spouses, minor children, adult children with disabilities, and dependent parents of workers who paid Social Security taxes before they died.

The toolkit discusses:

  • Eligibility requirements.
  • How to apply.
  • Evidence we need to process applications.

For more information about our toolkits, visit the blog post titled New Resources for School Employees and Survivors at blog.ssa.gov/new-resources-to-educate-school-employees-and-survivors.

Please help us spread the word about our toolkits with your colleagues and others who may find them helpful.

OUR TOP SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES

We strive to provide the public with accurate and helpful information. In addition to the resources available on our website at www.ssa.gov, we post useful information on our social media channels. We invite you to learn about our programs and services on our social media pages:

  • Our Social Security Blog – Here we post articles about our program, current events, and online services. We respond to general questions and comments people share. You can read our articles and subscribe at blog.ssa.gov. Our blog is now available in Spanish at blog.ssa.gov/es.
  • Facebook – www.facebook.com/socialsecurity. Facebook is our primary page for sharing information about our programs and services with our vast network of followers and advocacy groups.
  • Administración del Seguro Social – www.facebook.com/segurosocial. Our Spanish Facebook page shares information about our programs and services.
  • X – www.x.com/socialsecurity. @SocialSecurity is our official account. This page to provide timely information and updates about our programs and services with our followers and advocacy groups.
  • Seguro Social – www.x.com/segurosocial. On this page we share information about our programs and services in Spanish.
  • Instagram – www.instagram.com/SocialSecurity. On this page we share stories and resources that can help you and your loved ones.
  • YouTube –www.youtube.com/SocialSecurity. We have many informative videos on this page. Our videos cover online services, applying for retirement and disability benefits, Social Security-related scams, and much more. We also offer some of our videos in Spanish and other languages.

You can find a full list of our social media channels at www.ssa.gov/socialmedia. Connect with us on social media to learn helpful information and ask general questions. But remember, you should never post personal information on social media. Follow along and share our pages with friends, neighbors, or loved ones today.

SOCIAL SECURITY ANNOUNCES NEW RESOURCES FOR SICKLE CELL WARRIORS

Are you a sickle cell warrior or do you know someone with sickle cell disease? At Social Security, we’re committed to supporting sickle cell warriors and the people who care for them. An adult or child with sickle cell disease may be eligible for benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

SSDI benefits are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits. SSI is a needs-based program that provides payments to people who are age 65 or older, blind, or have a disability and have limited income and resources.

Our publications provide information, examples, and tips to help you understand the disability application and evaluation process. You can learn more by reading:

Our publication, Sickle Cell Disease: A Guide for Health Professionals on Providing Medical Evidence for Social Security Disability Claims at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-60-005.pdf, explains the medical evidence we need to make medical decisions for people with sickle cell disease. For more information about our disability programs and related topics, visit our blog article titled Understanding Social Security Disability Benefits at blog.ssa.gov/understanding-social-security-disability-benefits. These resources help ensure timely, equitable, and accurate disability evaluations for people with sickle cell disease.

Please share this article with your loved ones.

Webinars

Need to Talk with an Expert?

Upcoming Benefits Training: Tuition Waiver Lunch & Learn

Did you know that as a JMU employee, you may be eligible to have tuition waived for classes you take at JMU?

Join us to learn about this awesome benefit to employees and come with any questions you may have! This lunch and learn is perfect for anyone who has questions about what the Tuition Waiver Program is and how to use it.

Tuesday, April 8, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Sign up HERE!

Upcoming Benefits Training: Why Everyone Needs a Will (HR6510)

Review of best practices and considerations when creating a will.

Facilitated by: Tom Boston and David Noll, Legal Resources

Tuesday, April 8, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Register with course number HR6510 in MyMadison

Upcoming Benefits Training: ORP Participants- What to Expect When You Retire (HR1352)

Are you contemplating retirement? What do you do next?

What are the distribution options from your account? What benefits will you receive? What is the timing of everything? Can you work after retirement?

If you are a faculty member in the ORP and any of the questions above have crossed your mind, you'll want to attend this workshop! Come learn about retirement eligibility, the retirement process and what happens to your benefits when you retire. Attend this workshop to learn everything you need to know to make a smooth transition into retirement!

FOR FACULTY IN ORP PLAN 1 OR ORP PLAN 2.

After this workshop, participants will understand:

  • When you are eligible to retire
  • What your distribution options are
  • The retirement application process and timing
  • What benefits you will have available to you as a retiree
  • The rules regarding working after retirement

Wednesday, April 9, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Register with course number HR1352 in MyMadison

Learn more about STEP IT UP and register here

Save the Date - Employee Appreciation Day

Thursday, May 22, 2025

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!

Credits:

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