OHR benefits workshop drew a crowd
The October benefits workshop gave UMRA members an opportunity to discuss 2020 plan options with OHR and vendor representatives.
The University Office of Human Resources (OHR) and vendor representatives gave an audience of more than 70 UMRA members a preview of the latest information on the University’s health care and retirement savings plans during UMRA's October benefits workshop. Retiree medical plans will continue from last year with relatively minor changes in costs and coverage. However, dental plans will be offered from only one vendor, Delta Dental.
Details about next year’s medical and dental plans can be found online in the 2020 Benefits Annual Enrollment Guide (also to be mailed to retirees in late October) and at the Benefits Fairs held on campus November 6 and 7. This year’s open enrollment period runs from November 1 to December 2.
The University is making a major change in its retiree savings plans, switching the administration of these plans from Securian to Fidelity, which will offer a new and different portfolio of investment options. Securian options will be mapped to corresponding Fidelity options. The Securian General Account and General Account Limited funds will still be offered as before, even though they will be administered by Fidelity.
Before the funds switch over on April 1, 2020, OHR will offer many ways to learn about the changes and new options, including mailings, workshops, videos, web pages, and individual consultations.
—Ron Matross, chair, Workshop Committee
October workshop will feature OHR's annual benefits update
Tue, October 22 2019, 1:30pm
West Wing Dining Room, Campus Club, Coffman Memorial Union
Ken Horstman, OHR's senior director of Total Compensation, and his team will provide a comprehensive update and be available for questions.
Our October workshop will be the annual update from the University’s Office of Human Resources on retiree health benefits, plus an update on changes in the retirement investment system to be implemented next spring. The workshop will be held in the West Wing Dining Room to accommodate the large attendance we anticipate.
We have also expanded the allotted time, to allow for more questions and for the retirement plan update. Our thanks in advance to Ken Horstman, senior director of Total Compensation, and his team for providing this timely, important, and comprehensive review.
Health Programs Manager Ryan Reisdorfer will give an overview of 2020 health benefit changes, and a representative from each of the four medical plan vendors—BlueCross BlueShield, HealthPartners, Medica, and UCare—and Delta Dental will give short presentations highlighting their plans and any 2020 changes.
The medical and dental plan representatives will also be available afterward for individual questions.
Retirement Plans Program Manager Krisann McMahon will provide an update on the transition to Fidelity for the Faculty Retirement Plan, the Optional Retirement Plan, and the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Again, there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. Please come!
—Bill Donohue
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.