Benefits Announcements

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Open Enrollment is May 1-15

HR News Open Enrollment is May 1-15 Get ready for Health Open Enrollment from May 1 to May 15. Annual open enrollment is the time of year where you can make changes related to your health plan and flexible spending accounts. To participate in open enrollment this year, if you…

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Attend an Upcoming VRS DCP Regional Education Meeting

Attend an Upcoming VRS DCP Regional Education Meeting 📍 Virtual (Zoom) Register today for an online Commonwealth of Virginia 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Regional Education Meeting or a virtual one-on-one with your Defined Contribution Plans Retirement Specialists. Overview of the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and Cash Match Plan What is…

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Achieve Escape Velocity with an MPS of Industrial-Organizational Psychology!

Achieve Escape Velocity with an MPS of Industrial-Organizational Psychology Do you want to launch a career building more productive, efficient, and safer workplaces? Apply your tuition benefit to earn an I-O degree at Mason! The I-O MPS program is an accelerated rigorous online offering with asynchronous and synchronous learning experiences. Mason’s…

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Further Your Career with an MA in Higher Education at Mason!

Further Your Career with an MA in Higher Education at Mason! Are you looking to further your career in Higher Education? You can use your tuition benefit to pursue a degree with the Higher Education Program at Mason! Going part-time, you can complete the MA in Higher Education and Student Development in…

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Virginia State Employee Assistance Fund

Virginia State Employee Assistance Fund The Virginia State Employee Assistance Fund (VSEAF) provides grants to eligible state employees suffering from a financial crisis as a result of an unplanned emergency or other event that impacts the employee or family members residing with the employee. The VSEAF is a recognized 501c(3)…

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Hybrid Retirement Plan Webinars

HR News Attend a Hybrid Retirement Plan Webinar MissionSquare Retirement is hosting a series of retirement webinars to review the Hybrid Retirement Plan including features, benefits and investment options, and virtual one-on-one appointments. Hybrid Retirement Plan: Features and Benefits What is the hybrid plan? What’s the difference between the defined…

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New Health Assessment for COVA Care Members

New Health Assessment for COVA Care Members At the beginning of 2024, Anthem transitioned to a new Health Assessment called My Health Check-in. Unlike the former WebMD Health Assessment, My Health Check-in is 85% shorter and only takes about five minutes to complete. COVA Care Members will no longer be…

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Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is Now Inspira Financial

HR News Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Changes The current Flexible Spending Account Administrator, PayFlex, which administers the Commonwealth’s Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for state employees will be rebranded as “Inspira Financial” as of 2024. Here’s what employees can expect: Transitional messages added to the login page for PayFlex (payflex.com). The same…

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Kaiser Permanente Changed Dental Administrators

HR News Kaiser Permanente Changed Dental Administrators On January 1, 2024, Kaiser Permanente changed the Commonwealth of Virginia dental plan administrator from Dominion Dental to Liberty Dental Plan. Kaiser Permanente members with dental coverage were automatically transitioned from Dominion to LIBERTY with no changes to their dental benefits. Members received…

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Commuter Choice: Benefits for Northern Virginia-Based Employees

Commuter Choice: Benefits for Northern Virginia-Based Employees Save money this year! Full-time state employees in Northern Virginia qualify for up to $315 per month for public transit or vanpooling, thanks to an Executive Order. This a tax-free benefit. Visit the Mason Parking website for more details!

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Grubhub+: Exclusive Offer for Mason Employees

HR News Grubhub+: Exclusive Offer for Mason Employees Calling all Mason employees! Mason faculty, and staff receive unlimited $0 delivery fees on orders $18+ from Grubhub+ merchants. Order with Mason Money, and you can access endless food options, even in your hometown! Use your Mason email to register and explore…

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Next Hybrid Plan Voluntary Contribution Change Deadline

HR News Next Hybrid Plan Voluntary Contribution Change Deadline Hybrid Retirement Plan members can adjust their voluntary contribution elections on a quarterly basis – contributing up to 4% of their creditable compensation each month – to help meet their savings goals. Members can maximize a 4% voluntary contribution and will…

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Kaiser Permanente Is Changing Dental Administrators

HR News Kaiser Permanente Is Changing Dental Administrators Kaiser Permanente will change its dental administrator from Dominion Dental to Liberty Dental Plan effective January 1, 2024. Kaiser will notify all members by letter with details of the transition, including: Transition of Care (TOC) provisions available to members who are currently in…

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Use Your Tuition Benefit to Pursue an MA in Higher Ed at Mason!

Use your tuition benefit to pursue an MA in Higher Ed at Mason! Pursue a degree from Mason’s Higher Education Program (HEP)! Full-time employees receive up to 12 credits of tuition remission per academic year. Going part-time, you can complete the MA in Higher Education and Student Development in three…

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VRS Defined Contribution Plan Webinars

HR News VRS Defined Contribution Plan Webinars MissionSquare Retirement is hosting a series of retirement webinars as well as offering individual consultations. Topics include: Overview of the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and Cash Match Plan Understanding Your Investment Options Distribution Strategies View upcoming dates and register. If you have questions,…

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Pet Insurance Discount for State Employees

HR News Pet Insurance Discount for State Employees Did you know that Commonwealth of Virginia employees can get a discount on pet insurance with Spot Insurance? Check out the employee discounts page on the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) website to learn more!

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Fall Retirement Counseling Sessions with TIAA, Fidelity, and MissionSquare

Fall Retirement Counseling Sessions with TIAA, Fidelity, and MissionSquare TIAA, Fidelity, and MissionSquare visit Mason for individual consultations with members and non-members of the TIAA Optional Retirement Plan (faculty only) or 403(b) plans. Consultants can address specific concerns, review your investment strategy and portfolio allocations, and discuss retirement planning or…

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2023 Annual Benefit Statements Now Available in myVRS

HR News 2023 Annual Benefit Statements Now Available in myVRS The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) has posted the 2023 Member Benefit Profiles in the myVRS accounts for Plan 1, Plan 2 and Hybrid Retirement Plan members. The annual benefit statement is based on information employers report to VRS as of June…

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Sign Up for VRS Member News

Sign Up for VRS Member News Stay updated on the latest announcements from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). This newsletter is published quarterly and includes information about upcoming deadlines, webinars, and policy changes. Sign up at the VRS website.

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State Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) All health plans offered to state employees and their dependents have employee assistance programs (EAPs). Included are up to four sessions at no charge for such services as mental health, alcohol or drug abuse assessment, child or elder care, financial, grief counseling, and legal services…

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