Benefits Bulletin May 2024

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.

Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment Deadline Quickly Approaching!

You have until May 15 to make changes to your health insurance coverage and flexible spending accounts. Visit the 2024 Open Enrollment website for more details.

Ask Alex

Need help deciding which health insurance plan is right for you? Then evaluate and compare health plan options with ALEX, your online benefits counselor! ALEX will use your input to let you know how the different health insurance plans work for you. Visit ALEX Benefits Counselor.

Lower Your Health Insurance Cost with Premium Rewards

Premium rewards are reductions in health plan premiums for participants in the COVA Care and COVA HealthAware plans who complete a health assessment. An employee and/or their enrolled spouse can reduce the premium by $204 annually ($17/month) or $408 annually ($34/month) for both employee and enrolled spouse if they fulfill the requirements to earn a premium reward. Visit your plan’s website or mobile app to access your health assessment. A step-by-step guide is provided to assist in completing your health assessment. Complete or update your health assessment between May 1 and May 15. Health assessments submitted before May 1 will not count for the new plan year! Please keep a copy of your confirmation.

Flexible Spending Accounts

As a reminder you must re-enroll each year to continue participating in flexible spending accounts. The maximum Health FSA contribution is increasing up to $3,200/plan year. The maximum Dependent Care FSA is up to $5,000/plan year, depending on your tax filing status.

Voluntary Benefits Open Enrollment Ends May 17

Open Enrollment for voluntary benefits, i.e., Aflac, Chubb LifeTime Benefit Term, pet insurance, legal and identity theft coverage, and home/auto is extended through May 17.

Pierce

Pierce Insurance, the broker for Chubb LifeTime Benefit Term, pet insurance, legal and identity theft coverage, and home/auto insurance, will provide in-person meetings and individual phone conferences during open enrollment.

A representative will be available on Tuesday, May 14 at the Facilities Management Annex Building from 6:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Additionally, a representative will be in the Wine-Price Building on the second floor Monday, May 13, Tuesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 16 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and on Friday, May 17 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment.

May's Featured Benefit

This month's featured benefit is...

Aflac provides supplemental insurance and acts as an extra measure of financial protection to help pay out-of-pocket expenses your health insurance may not cover.

When you are sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits directly to you to help you and your family with unexpected expenses. The benefits are predetermined and paid regardless of any other insurance you have. You can use your Aflac benefit as you see fit—to offset medical expenses, pay for groceries, pay your mortgage—it’s up to you. The following Aflac policies are available to you through payroll deduction:

  • Accident Insurance
  • Cancer Insurance/Specified-Disease Insurance
  • Hospital Confinement Indemnity Insurance
  • Short-term Disability Insurance
  • Specified Health Event Insurance

All plans (with the exception of the individual short-term disability insurance) are a pre-taxed deduction.

You may enroll in Aflac during open enrollment (May 1 – May 17), with the policy(ies) becoming effective July 1. Since the short-term-disability insurance is an after-tax deduction, you may enroll in that plan anytime during the year.

Michael Glover, JMU's Aflac representative, will provide in-person meetings and individual phone conferences during open enrollment. You may also email him directly at michael_glover@us.aflac.com. Michael will be on campus in the Wine-Price Building on the second floor Tuesday, May 14, from 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.

May's Social Security Column

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM QR CODE FRAUD

Quick Response codes, better known as QR codes, are a very popular way to get information. QR codes are scannable barcodes that will direct you to a website. However, scammers can create QR codes to trick people into visiting a fraudulent website or downloading malware that compromises their personal information.

For example, scammers may:

  • Cover official QR codes with fake ones on parking meters, menus, or magazines.
  • Send QR codes via email or text message pretending to be from delivery companies.
  • Request that you confirm your information due to suspicious activity on your account using imposter QR codes.
  • Place harmful codes on social media advertisements.

Here are some tips to avoid related scams.

Verify the Source

Before scanning a QR code, make sure it comes from a trusted and reliable source. Legitimate QR codes from Social Security will always send you to a safe and secure webpage at www.ssa.gov.

Inspect the Code

Scammers may use tactics that mirror a legitimate QR code. Take a moment to examine the QR code closely. Look for any signs of tampering, unusual colors, or misspellings. If something seems suspicious, it’s best to avoid scanning the QR code.

Be Cautious of Unsolicited QR Codes

Avoid scanning unsolicited QR codes received via email or text message. Be aware of codes from unknown sources. We will never send a QR code via text or email asking you to confirm your information.

Be Aware of Urgent Requests Using QR Codes

Fraudsters often pretend to be government officials and use fake QR codes to defraud people. For example, a scammer may pose as a Social Security employee claiming that you have an outstanding debt or there’s a problem with your account and demanding immediate payment. A scammer may send fake QR codes via text or email requesting the payment. Remember, Social Security will never request any form of payment using a QR code.

Stay Informed

Stay up to date on the latest QR code fraud and scams. Follow trusted sources such as cybersecurity blogs, news outlets, and official government websites for updates.

QR codes are an easy and convenient way to get information, but it’s important to remain vigilant when using them.

For more information, you can review the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Alert at www.consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/12/scammers-hide-harmful-links-qr-codes-steal-your-information.

You can report suspected Social Security imposter scams to the Office of the Inspector General’s website at www.oig.ssa.gov/report. We encourage you to learn more about fraud and scams on our Protect Yourself from Scams webpage at www.ssa.gov/scam.

Please share this with those who may need it.

WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY OR SSI OVERPAYMENT

An overpayment occurs when Social Security pays a person more money in Social Security benefits or SSI payments than should have been paid. The amount of the overpayment is the difference between the payment received and the amount that was due.

Social Security is required by law to adjust benefits or recover debts when an overpayment occurs. If you receive an overpayment notice, it will explain why you’ve been overpaid, the overpayment amount, your repayment options, and your appeal and waiver rights.

After receiving an overpayment notice, you can:

  • Repay the overpayment in full or through a repayment plan by check, money order, credit card or by monthly reductions from your Social Security benefit. You may be able to make a full or partial repayment using Pay.gov or your bank’s online bill pay option. We offer flexible repayment plans, including payments as low as $10 per month.
  • Appeal the overpayment if you don’t agree that you’ve been overpaid, or you believe the amount is incorrect. You can request a non-medical reconsideration online or you can submit a completed SSA-561, Request for Reconsideration, to your local Social Security office.
  • Request that we waive the overpayment if you believe you are not at fault for causing the overpayment AND you cannot afford to pay the money back or it is unfair for some other reason. You can ask for a waiver by submitting a completed SSA-632, Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery, to your local office. If your overpayment is $1,000 or less, we may be able to process your waiver request quickly by telephone. You can contact your local office or call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
  • Request a different repayment amount if you are unable to meet your necessary living expenses due to the current repayment amount. If you are unable to repay the debt within 60 months* due to the negotiated repayment amount, you will be asked to complete form SSA-634, Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate. You can find the form at www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-634.pdf.

*This is a recent policy change. Previous policy required the completion of the SSA-634 if the overpayment could not be repaid within 36 months.

To learn more about overpayments and our process, visit our Understanding SSI Overpayments webpage at www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-overpay-ussi.htm, read our Overpayments fact sheet at www.ssa.gov/marketing/assets/materials/EN-05-10106.pdf, or watch our Overpayment video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxYYcjqkFvM.

HOW YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THIEVES

Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information to impersonate you or steal from you. These crimes can impact your physical, mental, and emotional health and lead to lost opportunities that are often hard to measure. Learning more about identity theft can help you keep your personal information safe.

Types of Identity Theft

There are 2 types of identity theft you should be aware of:

  • Thieves stealing your data, physically or digitally, without contacting you directly.
  • Thieves contacting you directly and convincing you to provide sensitive information.

In these instances, you may never know how the thief got your information.

How Identity Thieves Use Your Information

Identity thieves steal personal information like your name, address, credit card or bank account numbers, Social Security number (SSN), and medical insurance account numbers. They use this information to:

  • Buy items with your credit cards or bank accounts.
  • Obtain new credit cards or accounts in your name.
  • Use your SSN to get a job.
  • Open phone or utility accounts in your name.
  • Steal your tax refund.
  • Use your health insurance to obtain medical care.
  • Pretend to be you if they are arrested.

How to Spot Identity Theft

To spot identity theft:

  • Keep track of your mail for missing bills or other documents.
  • Review your credit card and bank statements for unauthorized transactions.
  • Obtain and review your credit reports regularly to make sure they do not include accounts you have not opened.

Ways to Prevent Identity Theft

While no plan is perfect, taking the precautions below can help you better protect your personal information:

  • Protect documents that have personal information.
  • Ask questions before giving out your SSN.
  • Protect your personal information online and on your phone by using a strong password and adding multi-factor authentication when offered.
  • Safeguard your information on social networks.

What to Do if You Believe Someone Has Stolen Your Identity

  • Report fraud to the company where it occurred.
  • Contact a credit bureau to place a fraud alert on your credit report.
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.identitytheft.gov.
  • File a police report.

For more information about how to protect your SSN from identity thieves, read our publication, Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10064.pdf. Please report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — on the Office of Inspector General’s website at www.oig.ssa.gov/report.

It’s important to protect yourself against identity theft because it can damage your credit status. Repairing this damage can cost you a great deal of time and money.

Please share this information with your family and friends.

ON THE GO? YOU CAN STILL USE SOCIAL SECURITY ONLINE WHEN TRAVELING

Social Security is here for you when you travel, whether you’re in the United States or in another country. Our online services page at www.ssa.gov/onlineservices provides you with a wide variety of self-service options you can use on your mobile phone, tablet, or computer.

Through our online services, you can:

  • Find out if you qualify for benefits.
  • Apply for Social Security retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits.
  • Get your Social Security Statement.
  • Request a replacement Social Security card.
  • Appeal a decision.

Do you receive Social Security benefits or Medicare? If so, you can create or log in to your personal my Social Security account to:

  • Get your benefit verification letter.
  • Check your information and benefit amount.
  • Change your address and telephone number.
  • Start or change your direct deposit.
  • Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.
  • Report your wages if you work and receive disability benefits or SSI.

Create a personal my Social Security account today at www.ssa.gov/myaccount to take advantage of these easy-to-use features. Also, please share our online services page with family and friends who need this important information.

SOCIAL SECURITY HONORS OUR MILITARY HEROES

On Memorial Day, our nation honors military service members who have given their lives to preserve our freedoms. Families, friends, and communities come together to remember the great sacrifices of military members and ensure their legacies live on.

The benefits we provide can help the families of deceased military service members. For example, surviving spouses and dependent children may be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits. You can learn more about those benefits at www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors.

We also offer support to wounded warriors. Social Security benefits protect veterans when injuries prevent them from returning to active duty or performing other work. Both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Social Security have disability programs. You may qualify for disability benefits through one or both programs. Read our fact sheet, “Social Security Disability and Veterans Affairs Disability — How Do They Compare?” at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-64-125.pdf. Depending on your situation, some members of your family, including your dependent children or spouse, may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits.

Wounded military service members can receive quicker processing of their Social Security disability claims. If you are a veteran with a 100% Permanent & Total compensation rating from Veterans Affairs, we’ll expedite your disability claim.

Thinking about retirement or know a veteran who is? Military service members can receive Social Security benefits in addition to their military retirement benefits. For details, visit our webpage for veterans, available at www.ssa.gov/people/veterans.

Please share this information with the military families you know. We honor and thank the veterans who bravely served and died for our country and the military service members who serve today.

Need to Talk with an Expert?

University Holiday - Monday, May 27

As a reminder, the university will be closed on Monday, May 27 in recognition of Memorial Day. Full-time employees are expected to work 32 hours during the Memorial Day holiday week. Any hours short of a 32-hour workweek should be charged to available leave. All leave requests are subject to supervisor’s approval. Please see the Modified Summer Schedule website for additional information.

Modified Summer Schedule

The university’s modified summer work schedule begins Monday, May 13 and ends Friday, August 9, 2024.

Employee Appreciation Day

Employee Appreciation Day will be May 16

Don't forget to sign up for the many activities available!

For more information click HERE.

TIAA Webinars

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!