Washington State University and its partners offer a range of resources to support employee well-being and maximize benefits. Explore these upcoming opportunities to take full advantage of what’s available to you.

Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment Dates: October 28 – November 25.  OE will not be for the whole month of November, so be sure you note the new dates!

Vision benefits will become a standalone plan and no longer be part of the Medical Plan.  ALL benefit-eligible employees will need to make an election.

New Premium Rates – Kaiser rates are primarily going down, and Uniform is increasing slightly.

We already have the Open Enrollment Website up and will be updating it as information is provided:  https://hrs.wsu.edu/open-enrollment/

We will be providing many communications and presentations for Open Enrollment starting in October, so watch for those communications and offerings!

benefits open enrollment

Washington Cares Long-Term Care Presentation

Did you know that approximately 70% of Washingtonians will eventually need long-term services as they age? These services can be expensive, but most long-term care is not covered by Medicare or health insurance and Medicaid only covers it after you’ve spent your life savings down to $2,000.

The majority of WSU employees pay into the WA Cares Fund as a payroll tax, unless they were approved for an exemption. Representatives from the Department of Social and Health Services, the administering agency of the program, will be providing presentations to WSU employees regarding the WA Cares Fund. This is an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the program and the benefits that it provides.

There are two opportunities to attend this presentation. Both days will have a Zoom option: Zoom Meeting ID: 812 058 2016.

  • Thursday, Sept. 12,
    2:30–3:30 p.m.
    Spokane Academic Center (SAC) 401A
  • Friday, Sept. 13
    9:30–10:30 a.m.
    Lighty 405 (Pullman)

If you have questions about the presentation, please contact HRS Benefits at hrs.benefits@wsu.edu or at 509-335-4589. Additional information regarding the WA Cares Fund can be found at wacaresfund.wa.gov and the WSU WA Cares website.

DRS Webinars and Podcasts

Attention PERS, TRS, LEOFF, and DCP participants! Did you know that the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) hosts a variety of webinars and podcasts on a wide range of retirement and financial well-being topics? Their recent podcasts are especially engaging and tailored to different generations, offering valuable insights for everyone. These sessions cover essential topics such as plan overviews, withdrawal and retirement options, Medicare and Social Security basics, and comprehensive retirement planning. Whether you choose to attend live or access content on demand, these resources are designed to help you stay informed and make the most of your retirement benefits.

DRS Webinars
DRS POdcases

TIAA & WSU Pre-Retirement Presentations

On October 9 and 10, TIAA representatives and WSU Benefits Staff will provide two pre-retirement planning sessions, as well as a presentation regarding benefits and retirement ideas for those who are not near retirement.  Watch for more information, including Zoom login info, via WSU Announcements and Social Media posts.

Maximizing Your Salary Increase: Options for Your July 1 or October 1 Boost

Classified staff received a 3% salary increase starting July 1, and AP and Faculty will see a 2% boost in October. With this extra income, you have several options to consider:

  • Pay Off Debt: Use the increase to reduce outstanding balances and ease financial pressure.
  • Plan a Vacation: Save for a well-deserved getaway and make the most of your time off.
  • Boost Your Retirement Savings: Contribute to a voluntary retirement plan to strengthen your future financial security.

For those interested in retirement savings, you can access two voluntary plans with flexible contribution options. You can contribute from $15 per pay period up to $23,000-$30,500 per plan in 2024. To learn more or to enroll, visit the Voluntary Retirement Plans page.

Social Security Benefits Presentations

Join the upcoming session, scheduled for October 10th, 12:00 pm- 1:30. More details including Zoom link to come, via WSU Announcements and HRS Social Media.

Resources Available Through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee Assistance Program: image of three arrow signs with the words: Help, Support, and Advice.

Navigating personal change can be difficult. EAP offers an abundance of free and reduced-fee Work-Life resources to help with legal, financial, family, aging, mental health, relationships, and professional development to name a few.

EAP also has a robust resource library full of articles, videos, and recorded sessions available on-demand to access whenever it fits your schedule. Visit the Washington State Employee Assistance Program and use organization code “WSU” to access all of these tools and more!

Visit WA State EAP

Content Credit: Ann Monroe, HRS Benefits Director;