UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Andy Sherwood

Employee Compensation Packages Ready

sherwoodA summary of each employee’s compensation package is now available in Banner Self-Serve on PilotsUP, according to Andy Sherwood, human resources. This personalized total compensation statement identifies direct and indirect compensation, and is intended to give a summary of the value of the benefits employees receive. The Total Comp Statement can be found by going to Employee>Pay Information>Total Compensation Statement.

Please note that this is not a tax document. The payroll office has prepared 2014 W-2s, and can answer any questions at payroll@up.edu. For information on benefits and this statement, contact Andy Sherwood, human resources, at 8981 or sherwood@up.edu.

Upcoming TIAA-CREF Investment Counselor Visits

tiaa-cref copyThe University’s TIAA-CREF investment counselor for employees, Preston Watts, will be on campus a number of times this year for individual financial counseling sessions. The next one-on-one counseling sessions will take place on March 17, 18, and 19 in Orrico Hall room 101. Go to www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow or call TIAA-CREF at (877) 842-2028 (press 5) to schedule an appointment today.

For more information contact Andy Sherwood, Human Resources, at 8981 or sherwood@up.edu.

Feeling The Winter Blues?

rain_cloud_BWThe human resources office is hosting a brown bag lunch session, “Conquering the Winter Blues,” presented by Cascade EAP. The presentation will provide useful tools to help brighten employees’ outlook during the long winter days. Bring your lunch and get some great tips on Tuesday, February 24, from noon to 1 p.m., in the Chiles Center Hall of Fame Room.

For more information visit the HR website or contact Andy Sherwood, human resources, at 8981 or sherwood@up.edu.

Retirement Income Options Session With TIAA-CREF, Feb. 10

hThe human resources office will present “A Guide to Your Retirement Income Options” with TIAA-CREF, a seminar that will focus on helping employees understand how they can create income from their TIAA-CREF retirement plan assets, on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, from noon to 1 p.m., in the Terrace Room. A TIAA-CREF representative will discuss lifetime annuities, systematic withdrawal, interest-only payments, fixed-period annuities, and required minimum distributions. Also included will be tips on how employees can begin to build retirement income plans as well as a list of key considerations employees should use in selecting and/or blending income options to meet their unique circumstances.

For more information contact Andy Sherwood, human resources, at 8981 or sherwood@up.edu.

TIAA-CREF Counselor On Campus, Feb. 10, 11, 12

please_noteThe University’s TIAA-CREF investment counselor for employees, Preston Watts, will be on campus a number of times this year for individual financial counseling sessions. The next one-on-one counseling sessions will take place on February 10, 11, and 12 in Orrico Hall room 101. Go to www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow or call TIAA-CREF at (877) 842-2028 (press 5) to schedule an appointment today.

For more information contact Andy Sherwood, Human Resources, at 8981 or sherwood@up.edu.

Retirement Brown Bag Session, Feb. 10

retirement150 2The Office of Human Resources has been coordinating a five-part series focusing on developing a holistic approach to retirement readiness, geared towards faculty and staff who are 55 years of age or older. The final session, presented by TIAA-CREF, will talk about how to be as tax efficient as possible for retirement and estate planning. It will take place on Tuesday, February 10, noon to 1 p.m., in the Terrace Room. Please feel free to bring your spouse or significant other. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information about this educational series, visit the HR website (http://www.up.edu/hr/) or contact Andy Sherwood, human resources, at 8981 or sherwood@up.edu.

TIAA-CREF Investment Counselor Meetings, Feb. 10-12

tiaa-cref-copyPreston Watts, the University’s TIAA-CREF investment counselor for employees, will be on campus a number of times this year for individual financial counseling sessions. The next one-on-one counseling sessions will take place on February 10, 11, and 12 in Orrico Hall room 101. Go to www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow or call TIAA-CREF at (877) 842-2028 (press 5) to schedule an appointment today.

For more information contact Andy Sherwood, human resources, at 8981 or sherwood@up.edu.

Next Retirement Brown Bag Session: Jan. 28

hThe Office of Human Resources has been coordinating a five part series focusing on developing a holistic approach to retirement readiness. This series is geared towards faculty and staff who are 55 years of age or older. The fourth session, presented by Kaiser Permanente, will talk about how to understand Medicare healthcare coverage. It will take place Wednesday, January 28, from noon to 1 p.m., in the Chiles Center Hall of Fame Room. Employees are welcome to bring spouses or significant others. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information about this educational series visit the HR website or contact Andy Sherwood, human resources, at 8981 or sherwood@up.edu.

TIAA-CREF Counselor on Campus

please_noteThe University’s TIAA-CREF investment counselor for employees, Preston Watts, will be on campus this month for individual financial counseling sessions. The next one-on-one counseling sessions will take place on January 12, 14, and 15 in Orrico Hall room 101. Go to www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow or call TIAA-CREF at (877) 842-2028 (press 5) to schedule an appointment today.

For more information contact Andy Sherwood, human resources, at 8981 or sherwood@up.edu.

Improvements to Flex-Plan FSA Medical Plan

sherwoodWith changes in federal regulations, all savings under the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) medical plan must be used by December 31, 2014, with the exception of a $500 carryover to be used in the new calendar year. This replaces the prior practice of a 2.5 month grace period and allows for more flexibility in how employees redeem pre-tax income they have set aside. More information about the carry-over provision can be found here.

Employees do not have to reenroll in the new plan year to have unused Health Care FSA funds carry over to the new plan year.

For more information contact Andy Sherwood, human resources, at 8981 or sherwood@up.edu.