The 2024-25 Holiday schedule is available!
Questions may be directed to hr@kzoo.edu. Enjoy!
Category: Announcements
TIAA Live Essentials Webinars May 2024
Below is the TIAA webinar information for the upcoming month. To register, please click on the appropriate link or visit TIAA.org/webinars at any time.
May Webinars
Opening Doors to the Future: Save in a 529 College Savings Plan
In this webinar you can learn how 529 college savings plans work and how to invest in one for a child, grandchild, yourself or another loved one.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. ET
Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4479333/FD271C539F4F66A9D1888E517540C96A
Invest for Success: Five principles you need to know
No matter where you are in your career journey, this webinar can help you understand the key principles of investing for retirement. From compounding to handling taxes to choosing investments, you’ll learn that how you invest for retirement is just as important as how much you save.
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. ET
Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4479318/F6053AE065609A46F4E8D9818ED8569C
Basic Estate Planning Strategies
Ensuring that our assets will pass to loved ones and causes that are near and dear is important to most of us. Discover the components of a basic estate plan and strategies to ensure that your wishes are met.
Thursday, May 16, 2024 | 3:00 p.m. ET
Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4479302/EA977B826A81007F05D4627F33EBCAE0
Make the move toward long-term financial security: Your mid-year retirement check in
For anyone halfway down the road to retirement, this webinar is a critical checkpoint. It takes you through the keys to successful money management, how to juggle competing financial demands and retirement saving strategies that can help put you on the path to lifelong financial security.
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. ET
Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4479293/3131F7D8FB01A94B7E9A73A4BCA5C394
Be well,
Miasha Wilson
HR Manager
MAP out an adventure!
The Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) is a statewide collaborative program between Michigan’s public libraries and participating partner destinations. MAP provides Michigan library cardholders the opportunity to discover and learn more about participating cultural destinations, parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas in the state at a discounted rate. Learn more at Activity Pass – Michigan Activity Pass (miactivitypass.org).
Kalamazoo area participants include
- Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum
- Calhoun County Trailway
- Gilmore Car Museum
- Kalamazoo Nature Center
- Kalamazoo Valley Museum
- Vicksburg Historic Village
- Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery & Visitor Center
Reminder: Ambrose Prize Nomination
Time remains to nominate a staff colleague for the W. Haydn Ambrose Prize for Extraordinary Service to Kalamazoo College. Through one act, or many, nominations should show how a candidate has made a positive impact on our community.
Nominations are due by Friday, April 19, 2024. Nominations may be submitted in the manner most convenient for the submitter, such as via paper format or by completing the online form. All nominations are kept confidential.
All staff members are eligible, regardless of the length of service or number of hours worked per year. Nominations will be retained for a period of three years. If a nomination was received in the past and continued support exists, additional documentation may be submitted to append to the original nomination. The Award recipient will be announced during the fall All Campus Gathering.
On behalf of the selection committee,
Renee Boelcke
TIAA Individual Counseling Sessions, April 2024 -June 2024
Dear Colleagues,
No matter where you are in life—just getting started or planning for retirement—a session with TIAA 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?
TIAA will be available these dates and times for one-on-one sessions:
- Tuesday, April 9, 2024 9:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. Mandelle Hall 1st Floor Conference Room, HR Wing
- Tuesday, May 14, 2024 9:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. Mandelle Hall 1st Floor Conference Room, HR Wing
- Tuesday, June 11, 2024 9:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. Mandelle Hall 1st Floor Conference Room, HR Wing
RSVP today, as space is limited. Register for sessions at https://shared.tiaa.org/private/tools/directscheduler/HALLOWE or by calling 800-842-2252, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET).
Best regards,
Miasha Wilson
HR Manager
HR Buzz: Spring Forward
Daylight saving time will begin for 2024 on Sunday, March 10 at 2 a.m. EST, when our clocks will move ahead one hour.
Pro Tip Check/change the batteries in your smoke detector.
Did you know?
The time change impacts our circadian rhythm. Here are some ways to help with the adjustment.
- Keep your dinnertime consistent. Eat more protein and less carbs.
- Get more light! Go outside, take in the sunshine and fresh air. (Weather permitting, of course.)
- Practice good habits before bedtime. For example, no caffeine 4-6 hours before bedtime.
- Go to bed and get up at the same time. Schedule yourself so that you get at least seven hours of sleep.
ASR Healthcare Choices + Rewards Program
Dear Colleagues,
Did you know that healthcare costs vary by location?
Did you know that you can estimate healthcare costs and “shop” for planned procedures?
Did you know that you can earn money for choosing a reward-able location?
Starting, 9/1/2022, ASR launched a new Healthcare Choices and Rewards program. This program gives you the ability to “shop” for medical services and provides a reward for certain services when your visit a recommended location. We have created a webpage with more information regarding this program and included frequently asked questions. If there are any questions or concerns, please let us know.
Be well,
Miasha, and Renee
HR Team
TIAA Live Essentials Webinars March 2024
Dear Colleagues,
Below is the TIAA webinar information for the upcoming month. To register, please click on the appropriate link or visit TIAA.org/webinars at any time.
The Starting Line: Beginning to save for retirement
There’s no time like the present to save for the future. Retirement may not seem especially pressing right now, but the truth is, now is when you can do the most good for your future.
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
12:00 p.m. ET
Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4424782/703C3EE185AF14E06D7E65B65469F9BF
Paycheck for Life: Set your sights on retirement security
Do you have a plan to avoid outliving your retirement savings? In this webinar, you’ll learn how to leverage a portion of your savings to create a retirement paycheck that’s guaranteed as long as you live.
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
12:00 p.m. ET
Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4424784/86A751D4D2AEE46C8F114A5D5C0D1C0A
Live with Confidence in Retirement: Five steps to creating your retirement income plan
If you’re thinking about making the transition to retirement, this webinar is essential for understanding how to create an income plan that helps you maximize your savings.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
3:00 p.m. ET
Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4434264/58AD6439263CDF15144DD58D801D5377
Be well,
Miasha Wilson
HR Manager
Mental Health
Get the Care You Need!
Whether through the EAP or your medical insurance, help is here when you need it.
Utilize the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Free + confidential for all employees and their immediate family members – K College does not get information about who is using this service. Receive up to 3 counseling sessions per year, per household. Also explore online resources for work/life balance, substance abuse, dependent/elder care assistance + referral, etc.
800-854-1446
A script to get you started
“Hello – I am interested in starting therapy. I would like to use my free counseling sessions through my Unum EAP with Kalamazoo College. I am seeking therapy because…
- I struggle with anxiety and it’s affecting my life.
- I’ve been having negative thoughts about myself and want to talk about it.
- I experienced a traumatic event and need help processing it.
- My partner and I are going through a divorce and would like for our child to talk to someone.
- I need financial counseling and I’m not sure where to start.
- I have an aging parent and need advice.
How soon can I set up an appointment?“
If you are not ready to speak with someone, explore the online resources available
unum.com/lifebalance Click on “Access Your EAP Benefits.”
Utilize Your Medical Insurance
If you are enrolled in an ASR medical plan through K College:
Therapy Session | Black plan: $20 copay | Orange plan: $10 copay
Many prescription drugs used to treat mental health conditions offer generic options. The copay for generic drugs is $10 on the Black Plan and Orange Plan.
Pro Tip! Start small! If you haven’t explored mental health assistance before, start by just looking at your options and maybe come up with a script of your own for when you are ready to reach out!
Benefits that Benefit YOU
Plan Year: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
FSA Info
Know Your Dates
Plan Year -> January 1 – December 31
Incur expenses between -> January 1 – December 31
Submit expenses for reimbursement by -> March 31
Note: expenses are incurred on the date you receive the service, not the date you pay an invoice.
Using Your Plan
Register for an online account at bfgroup.wealthcareportal.com.
Pay for eligible expenses using your Burnham & Flower Benefits debit card.
Download the Burnham & Flower mobile app to manage your funds wherever you are.
Some Eligible Expenses
| Health Care FSA | Dependent Care FSA |
| *Copay/coinsurance/deductible expenses *Medications (certain OTC + Rx) *Medical Equipment *First aid supplies *Menstrual products *Lactation supplies *Vision services + supplies *Dental/orthodontic services + supplies | *Child (9 to age 13) or adult/elder care *Preschool *Before/after school programs *Day Camp |
Pro Tip! Come up with a system for saving receipts and substantiating claims so you don’t forget and end up losing your hard-earned money at the end of the year!
Benefits that Benefit YOU
Plan Year: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024