Author: MSU Human Resources

Spartan scenes: Sailboat, Sparty, Tennis Ball

Get Active this Spring: Fitness Resources for MSU Employees

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Warmer weather on the horizon means more opportunities to get outside and get active! If you need some ideas to encourage you and your family get active this spring, the following resources and opportunities are available for MSU employees:

In-person Opportunities

  • Biking: One of the easiest ways to add exercise to your daily routine is to attach it to an activity or habit you perform already, such as your commute to work. MSU Bikes provides support with commuter resources to help you bike to work with confidence, including a 1-on-1 Bike Commuter Assistance service which helps you find the safest, lowest-stress route to and from campus to your neighborhood. MSU Bikes also rents bikes to departments for staff to use during the work day with their Department Fleet Services. Bikes are a great way to get around campus for meetings, lunches, errands, or a nice break! Save the hassle of traffic, offer a healthy alternative for your staff breaks/on-campus transportation, and avoid problems finding car parking by adding a bike to your department transportation fleet. If you’re working remotely, find several Greater Lansing area biking groups to join instead. The MSU Bikes Service Center also offers new and used bikes, rentals (long and short term), as well as a repair service.
  • Sailing, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, and Kayaking: The MSU Sailing Center is located on Lake Lansing in Haslett just east of campus. The Sailing Center strives to provide a safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environment for all participants. Consider participating in one of their many programs, including a learn-to-sail course, paddle sports, group outings, and private lessons. MSU employees can receive a discounted rate for membership.
  • Midday Movement Series: On the third Wednesday of each month, stop by the MSU Library for a variety of classes to help get you moving this spring! From 12:10 to 12:50 p.m., get your move on and bring athletic shoes, water, and a towel. Register here to save your spot.
  • Tennis: At the MSU Tennis Center you can book a court for singles or doubles or participate in one of their adult instructional classes or drill sessions. There’s something for everyone with classes geared toward both beginners and pro-level players.
  • Golf: MSU Forest Akers offers teaching programs for golfers of all ages and abilities, including adult group classes (currently full but waitlist available) or private instruction, and a casual golf league for all skill levels (league is full but fill out the form to sub). MSU employees can also access the golf range and courses at discounted rates.
  • Swimming: Present a valid staff or faculty ID to use one of the pools available on campus for laps or open swimming during designated pool hours.
  • Group Fitness Classes: MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness offers a variety of group fitness classes with membership pricing for MSU employees.

Virtual Opportunities

  • MSU Benefits Plus offers a bunch of fitness and wellness discounts, including gym memberships and personal training. After you log in to MSU Benefits Plus, select Deals from the top navigation, then Gyms and Health Clubs to see all current offerings.
  • Sign up for virtual chair yoga, midday movement series, and Desk Decompress through the Move More @ Work programs provided by University Health and Wellbeing.

Articles and Resources to Increase Motivation:

University Health and Wellbeing offers current, evidence-informed information employees can use to further their understanding of fitness. Topics covered include Benefits to Being Physically Active and Ways to Move More During the Workday.

Job of the Week: Farm Assistant Manager

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This week’s featured job is a Farm Assistant Manager for the Campus Livestock Centers with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (job posting 1114608). This might be the role for you if you are interested in assisting in managing daily operations at the brand new state-of-the-art dairy research facility!

The Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center and MSU dairy herd support teaching, extension, and research. The Center provides learning opportunities for Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine students and regularly hosts dairy management programs. Research covers nutrition, physiology, breeding, and management, and the Dairy is MAEAP verified in Livestock and Farmstead Systems.

In this position, you will assist in oversight of daily operations at the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center to ensure the teaching, research and outreach missions are accomplished. You’ll manage the breeding program and oversee milking, feeding and treatment of dairy cattle. Additionally, you will be responsible for the hiring, training, supervision and evaluation of full-time, temporary, on-call, and student employees. Find a complete list of responsibilities in the job posting.

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in animal science or agriculture, at least one year of experience supervising employees in farm work or production, computer use and knowledge of farm equipment. Desired qualifications include specialized skills in dairy herd management, excellent communication skills, and experience in training for proactive health care and biosecurity programs. Find a complete list of required and desired qualifications in the job posting.

Learn more about the Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center. To learn more or apply for this position, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter and resume and should be submitted by March 17.

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Fostering Excellence: Continuous Learning and Educational Assistance for MSU Support Staff

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Written by Sharri Margraves, EdD, SHRM-SCP, Director of HR Organization and Professional Development

Michigan State University stands as a beacon of educational excellence, not only for its students but also for its dedicated support staff. At the heart of MSU’s commitment to fostering a culture of growth and development is the twin approach of continuous learning and educational assistance benefits tailored for support staff.

Continuous learning is a cornerstone of personal and professional development, and MSU recognizes its transformative power. For support staff, engaging in ongoing education and using it on the job brings many benefits to the individual and helps create a dynamic and adaptable workforce that contributes significantly to the university’s success.

  • Career Development: Continuous learning helps open doors to career advancement opportunities. MSU support staff have access to many professional development opportunities, from workshops to specialized training sessions, allowing us to enhance our skills in preparation for future positions. According to Gallup, 41% of employees consider career development a very important aspect of job satisfaction.
  • Enhanced Job Performance: Staying current with industry trends and best practices is essential for optimal job performance. MSU’s commitment to continuous learning ensures that staff are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills, directly impacting their ability to excel in their roles and contribute to the university’s operational excellence. Individuals can chart their path using educational assistance or elevateU, the free on-demand source for technical and essential skill development and certification prep.
  • Increased Engagement: 70% of the variance in team engagement is determined solely by the manager, according to Gallup. Continuous learning fosters a sense of achievement and personal satisfaction with a person’s job, and while resources are always slim—supporting continuous learning is essential for supervisors. Staff who feel supported in their educational pursuits are more likely to experience higher engagement, leading to a positive work environment and a deepened commitment to MSU’s mission. Gallup finds that engaged employees have 78% less absenteeism, 63% less safety accidents, and a 10% increase in customer loyalty.
  • Adaptability to Change: Adaptability is a key attribute in the ever-evolving professional landscape. Continuous learning instills resilience and the ability to navigate change effectively. Those empowered to participate in ongoing education will be well-positioned to embrace new challenges and contribute to the university’s culture of innovation.

Educational Assistance Programs at MSU

MSU exemplifies its commitment to the educational journey of support staff through robust educational assistance programs designed to remove financial barriers to learning. Educational assistance benefits and eligibility are governed by an employee’s respective collective bargaining unit agreement. Non-union employees and Academic Specialists also have educational benefits available to them.

Educational assistance benefits are available to help achieve educational and career development goals. There are two different aspects of educational assistance: non-credit courses and credit courses.

  • Non-Credit Courses: Eligible employees can take programs offered by HR’s Organization and Professional Development or IT Services, non-credit programs, seminars, and conferences. Most staff employee groups have $800 or $900 available annually for non-credit programs. APA members can utilize this amount to pay for credit classes.
  • Credit courses: Eligible employees can take courses at MSU or a non-MSU accredited institution, provided it is located in the state of Michigan. MSU courses are eligible for and processed as a tuition waiver, while non-MSU courses are processed as a reimbursement. Institutions that are considered to be primarily online only (such as the University of Phoenix) or institutions that are not Michigan-based are ineligible.

Please review the Educational Assistance webpages and Educational Assistance Eligibility by Employee Group summary for more details about Educational Assistance programs, eligibility, and the available benefit coverage. For questions, contact the HR Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

References

Gallup. (2024, November 18), “How to improve employee engagement in the workplace.” Gallup.com. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/285674/improve-employee-engagement-workplace.aspx

Juyumaya, J., Torres-Ochoa, C. and Rojas, G. (2024), “Boosting job performance: the impact of autonomy, engagement and age”, Revista de GestĂŁo, Vol. 31 No. 4, pp. 397-414. https://doi.org/10.1108/REGE-09-2023-0108

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Your Benefits: New Plan Year Checklist

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For benefits-eligible employees, the start of a new plan year is a great time to review all the MSU benefit options available to make sure you’re fully utilizing them throughout the year. The following list of tips and resources to consider will help you get the most out of your employee benefits:  

  1. Learn About Your New Caregiving Benefit: We recently implemented Cariloop, a new benefit that can assist with caregiving in all its many forms, whether that’s caring for children, a spouse, aging parents, and more. This benefit includes professional coaching (30 days of annual continuous support with the option to extend), caregiving tools, a trusted network of providers, and access to UrbanSitter.
  2. Schedule Wellness Check-ups: If you’re enrolled in an MSU health, dental, and/or vision plan, you’ve just entered a new plan year. Even though an annual check-up is usually recommended by doctors, many people miss out each year because they forget to schedule an appointment. Set your family up for success by scheduling an annual or wellness check-up now.  
  3. Prepare for Illness: Teladoc is an online medical care service that gives you 24/7 access to a health care professional via the web, phone, or mobile app in minutes. A doctor can even write you a prescription if necessary. Enroll in Teladoc now so you’re prepared when illness strikes.  Available to employees and their dependents who are enrolled in an MSU health plan.  
  4. Review Your Retirement Contributions: The IRS sets new retirement contribution limits each year, and SECURE Act 2.0 requirements have started, and the new Roth option is now available. Make sure you’re saving as much as you can by reviewing the 2026 IRS retirement contribution limits and SECURE Act 2.0 requirements and adjusting contributions if needed.  
  5. Note Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Deadlines: If you’re enrolled in an FSA for the 2025 and/or 2026 plan year, please note important deadlines and resources for utilizing your FSA funds.  
  6. Use Educational Assistance Funds: Support staff and academic specialist employees have access to educational assistance funds to use towards professional development opportunities. These funds reset each fall, so make sure you don’t miss out. If you’re looking for learning opportunities, we recommend checking out courses offered by HR’s Organization and Professional Development department.  
  7. Note Mental Health Resources: The MSU community offers a variety of mental health resources to employees and their dependents, along with the recently introduced free access to the Calm Health app.
  8. Schedule Vacation/Personal Paid Time Off (PTO): Taking time to rest and reset is important to maintain mental health. Make sure you’re using all your PTO by planning for the future and scheduling your time off in advance.  
  9. Utilize Employee Discounts: Visit the MSU Benefits Plus website for deals and discounts on everything from travel and experiences to electronics and toys.
  10. Review Voluntary Benefit Options: You may enroll in, change, or cancel auto, home, and pet insurance benefits at any time through the MSU Benefits Plus website.  Accident, critical illness, legal, and vision insurance only allow benefit changes during Open Enrollment in October.  
  11. Register for a Free Diabetes Management Program: If you or a dependent are living with diabetes, Livongo by Teladoc Health can help by providing free necessary medical supplies and optional coaching.  Employees or dependents enrolled in Medicare are not eligible (a similar program is available through Medicare).  
  12. Get a Second Medical Opinion: If you are facing a serious medical diagnosis, Teladoc Medical Experts can review your case and offer a second medical opinion from leading health care specialists. Coaching and online educational tools are also available.  Employees with mandated insurance under the Affordable Care Act are not eligible.  

We hope this list will help keep you on track as you plan how you and your family will use your employee benefits this year. You can learn more about all these benefit options on the HR website.

Retirement Planning: 2026 IRS Retirement Plan Contribution Limits 

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It’s important that you continue to monitor and adjust how much you’re saving if you want to have a comfortable retirement, whether that’s around the corner or 30+ years from now. The IRS places limits on how much employees can contribute to a retirement plan each year and recently announced the retirement plan limits for 2026.  

In addition to new contribution limits, requirements in SECURE 2.0 Act begin, and the new after-tax Roth option is now available. You can learn more on the After-Tax Roth and SECURE 2.0 Act HR webpage or the recent Q&A with HR’s retirement expert, Dan, about the SECURE Act 2.0 requirements and new Roth option.  

Review the 2026 IRS retirement contribution limits below: 

  • The contribution limits for the 403(b) Supplemental (either pre-tax and/or after-tax Roth) and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation (either pre-tax and/or after-tax Roth) accounts are $24,500 each.  
    • The combined contribution limit for the 403(b) Supplemental (combined pre-tax and after-tax Roth) options cannot exceed $24,500, and is reduced by any Voluntary 403(b) Base employee contributions. 
    • The contribution limit for the 457(b) Deferred Comp. (combined pre-tax and after-tax Roth) is separate from the 403(b) plans, so you may contribute $24,500 to both the 457(b) and 403(b) plans. 
  • Individuals aged 50-59 or 64+ can contribute an additional $8,000 catch-up contribution separately to both the 403(b) Supplemental and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation accounts (and they can be pre-tax or after-tax Roth).  
    • Those who earned more than $150,000 in 2025 must make the 2026 catch-up contributions as after-tax Roth per the federal SECURE 2.0 Act.  
  • Individuals aged 60-63 can contribute an additional $11,250 catch-up contribution separately to the 403(b) Supplemental and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation accounts (and they can be pre-tax or after-tax Roth).  
    • Those who earned more than $150,000 in 2025 must make the 2026 catch-up contributions as after-tax Roth per the federal SECURE 2.0 Act. 
  • Since contributions to the 403(b) Base Retirement Program can only be 5%, the limit is 5% of their eligible pay up to the IRS salary limit. 

The following chart also shares the 2026 IRS retirement plan contribution limits and the SECURE 2.0 Act requirements. 

2026 IRS Retirement Plan Contribution Limits
Retirement PlanEligibility Criteria1Standard Contribution LimitCatch-up Contribution LimitTotal Contribution Limit for 2026
403(b) Supplemental
(contributions can be pre-tax or after-tax Roth unless noted otherwise. The standard contribution amount is reduced by any Voluntary 403(b) Base employee contribution)		Under 50Earned less than $150,000$24,500N/A$24,500
Earned more than $150,000
Age 50-59Earned less than $150,000$24,500$8,000$32,500
Earned more than $150,000You must make your catch-up contributions (up to $8,000) as after-tax Roth.$32,500
Age 60-63Earned less than $150,000$24,500$11,250$35,750
Earned more than $150,000You must make your catch-up contributions (up to $11,250) as after-tax Roth.$35,750
Age 64+Earned less than $150,000$24,500$8,000$32,500
Earned more than $150,000You must make your catch-up contributions (up to $8,000) as after-tax Roth.$32,500
457(b) Deferred Compensation
(contributions can be pre-tax or after-tax Roth unless noted otherwise)		Under 50Earned less than $150,000$24,500N/A$24,500
Earned more than $150,000
Age 50-59Earned less than $150,000$24,500$8,000$32,500
Earned more than $150,000You must make your catch-up contributions (up to $11,250) as after-tax Roth.$32,500
Age 60-63Earned less than $150,000$24,500$11,250$35,750
Earned more than $150,000You must make your catch-up contributions (up to $11,250) as after-tax Roth.$35,750
Age 64+Earned less than $150,000$24,500$8,000$32,500
Earned more than $150,000You must make your catch-up contributions (up to $8,000) as after-tax Roth. $32,500
Notes:
1. Your age in the chart above is based on the age you will be on December 31, 2026. The $150,000 limit is based on your MSU 2025 W-2 Form Box 3 Social Security wages. There are other IRS limits that may reduce the amounts of the Standard Contribution Limit. 

How to Adjust Your Savings 

If you want to save as much as possible for your retirement, a tool in the EBS Portal called the Max Savings Contributions Calculator is available to assist you. This tool automatically displays the remaining amount of retirement contributions you have available before reaching one of the limits, and the equivalent percentage of your pay to help you spread that out for the year.  

To access this tool:  

  1. Login to the EBS Portal with your MSU NetID and password.  
  2. Click the My Benefits tab at the top.  
  3. Click the Benefit/Retirement tile.  
  4. Select Enroll/Change my Retirement/Health Savings Account Options in the drop-down menu and then click Next in the bottom right.  
  5. Navigate in the bar graph to the Savings Plans screen by clicking Next in the bottom right.  
  6. The Max Savings Contributions Calculator screen will display. This display will automatically show the remaining amount of retirement contributions you have available (if any) before reaching the IRS limit.  
  7. You can adjust the percentage of your contributions to any retirement plans you participate in by clicking on the pencil icon and then choosing Select to make the change.  
  8. If you want to enroll in a new plan account type (including new after-tax Roth options), begin by clicking on the paper icon next to the plan type and vendor of your choosing, and then enter the percentage of your new contribution and choose Select to enroll.  
  9. Make sure to click on Save in the bottom right to complete and save any changes/enrollments.  

If you are an academic year faculty or academic staff employee, or a Voluntary 403(b) Base participant aged 50 and over, contact the HR Solutions Center at 517-353-4434 or SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu for further assistance in calculating your maximum contribution percentage.  

Learn More About MSU’s Retirement Plans  

The â€ŻHR website  also contains a wealth of information about the different types of retirement plans offered, retirement investment vendors, and planning tools available.  You can learn more on the After-Tax Roth and SECURE 2.0 Act HR webpage or the recent Q&A with HR’s retirement expert, Dan, about the SECURE Act 2.0 requirements and new Roth option.  

New Year, New Professional Development Courses

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As we step into 2026, it’s the perfect time to set your professional development goals—and we’ve got exciting opportunities to help you thrive this year. 

New or Updated Courses for 2026: 

  • Spartan Excellence Learning Series on January 27 and 28: Through a sequence of skill-building modules, participants will learn how to define problems, analyze processes, design improvements, and implement sustainable solutions. By integrating Lean methods within the broader Operational Excellence framework, the series helps create lasting practices that enhance efficiency, transparency, and the overall Spartan Experience.   
  • Travel Expense Report Processing on March 10: Learn the essentials of submitting accurate travel expense reports at MSU. This session will walk you through the required documentation, Concur tips, policy highlights, and best practices for timely reimbursement. 
  • Engaging and Empowering Teams on March 11: Leaders can learn evidence-based strategies to engage and empower employees, understand employees’ perspectives, and reflect on and assess your own supervisory practices. 
  • Mental Health First Aid on March 18: This evidence-based training that teaches participants how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a mental health crisis and help someone who may be experiencing one. 
  • Five Behaviors: Personal Development on April 16: Based on the book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, this course helps individuals become better teammates. This program is for individual contributors. Using activities, videos, and discussion, participants learn the behaviors that will enable them to become better teammates. 

Upcoming Courses in January or February 

  • Crucial Influence  |  Virtual  |  January 27, 28, and 29  |  9 to 11:30 a.m. 
  • Getting Things Done  |  Virtual  |  February 10, 11, and 12 |  9 to 11:30 a.m. 

You can find all of HR Organization and Professional Development’s courses on the HR website. This is the perfect time to reflect on your goals and plan for the year ahead. What skills do you want to build? What challenges are you ready to tackle? With so many opportunities on the horizon, we’re here to help you make 2026 your most impactful year yet! 

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Feeling Stressed? Consider Your Sphere of Influence.

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Ready or not, December is almost here! When you think about the remainder of the year, how do you feel? If thoughts of work deadlines, family get-togethers, or planning for the holidays and new year ahead have you feeling overwhelmed or anxious, you’re not alone. Thankfully, there are practices and resources we can utilize to help us center ourselves and approach this time of year with a healthier mindset. 

Consider Your Sphere of Influence 

We all know that allowing worry to grow uninhibited can lead to negative consequences, be it with our health, work performance, or relationships. So, why do we allow our minds to spend so much time in a state of worry?  In a previous blog post, Jennie Schaeffer, Director of MSU Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs, discussed how worry can seem very active — spending time in that mindset can feel like you are working on something productive — but in reality, you are burning through energy that could be better spent. 

When you notice yourself worrying about what might happen, stop and ask yourself, “What can I do about it now?” One way to visualize this is the Sphere of Influence. 

Three circles on top of each other. The inner circle is labeled "control," the middle circle is labeled "possible influence, but no control," and the outer circle is labeled "no control."

Within the Sphere, there are three areas: 

  • No Control: If there is absolutely nothing you can do to change or influence a situation, you can only assess whether you can learn from it, then let it go and refocus on something else. This would apply to things like the weather, supply chain issues this season, or flight cancellations. To reduce feelings of worry and improve your well-being, spend minimal time and energy regarding any matters that fall within this area of the sphere. 
  • Possible Influence but No Control: If there is a step you can take that may influence an outcome, person, or situation, determine what action you can take to maximize that influence, follow through, and then let it go. Resist the temptation to convince yourself that worrying about it means it is within your control. 
  • Control: If the issue you are wrestling with is completely within your control, then you have control over your decisions, attitude, and behavior. What action can you take that you’ve been putting off? What self-care practice can you initiate to support your well-being? When you practice shifting your focus and attention to what is within your control rather than allowing what is out of your control to consume your time and thoughts, feelings of helplessness and overwhelm decrease significantly. 

Make Yourself a Priority 

When asked why we don’t make our well-being a higher priority, the most common answer is: not enough time. Although we can’t add more hours to the day (No Control area of the Sphere of Influence), we can take actionable steps to better manage our time and carve out space to improve our overall wellness (Control area of the sphere). 

Here are a few ideas to help you focus your energy on areas you can control when it comes to your well-being this time of year. 

  • Schedule Downtime: Block downtime off on your Outlook calendar like you would for a meeting or other work engagement. 
  • Set Positive Boundaries: Check out the following articles as a starting point: 
  • Be Selective: Most of us have an extraordinary number of demands placed on us, and this time of year often brings even more. Before you commit to anything additional, give yourself a little time to consider: Do I really need to do this right now? 
  • Get Back to the Basics: Consider your current relationship with sleep, physical activity, and eating. What are one or two simple steps you could take to improve your physical health? Even something as small as not having your cell phone next to your bed at night or scheduling short blocks of time on your calendar to stretch at your desk can have a tremendous impact. Ensuring your basic physical needs are met helps ensure a solid foundation for all aspects of your well-being. 

Utilize Your Resources 

One major goal within MSU’s strategic plan is to support the “career development and well-being of staff and faculty at MSU, focusing on creating a best-in-class workplace culture and welcoming environment in which excellence and opportunity thrive.” From one-on-one counseling to self-paced learning opportunities, many resources are available to you as an MSU employee to improve your well-being and take care of yourself this year and beyond. Recommendations to get you started are listed below, along with contact information for specialists at MSU who can provide extra support. 

University Health and Wellbeing: Supports our university community with health and well-being equitably woven throughout all aspects of Spartan life. They offer a variety of resources for employees, including:

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): MSU employees or retirees and their benefits-eligible dependents have access to the EAP, which provides confidential counseling at no cost. To best fit your schedule, EAP offers both virtual and in-person appointments. 
  • Spartan Resilience Educational Webinars: These webinars transform counseling-based skill-building into accessible media formats. These offerings integrate resilience education into the everyday living, learning, and working spaces of the Spartan community.
  • Move More @ Work: An ongoing campaign facilitated by University Health and Wellbeing’s Health Promotion and Engagement office. Browse offerings, learn more about on-campus opportunities, and get moving more at work! 
  • Worklife Wellbeing: Check out the Worklife Wellbeing seminar options to see what you might want to learn more about.
  • Mindful State: An emerging university-wide, collaborative initiative to help Spartans learn the benefits of mindfulness and access resources to develop or strengthen their mindfulness practices.

elevateU Online Learning Platform: Free, self-paced resources including short videos, online courses, and books around a wide variety of topics. Highlighted topics include: 

HR’s Organization and Professional Development (OPD) Courses: Instructor-led courses offered by the friendly and knowledgeable OPD team. Course dates and times are updated throughout the year, so be sure to check back soon for updated course dates/times! Highlighted courses include (new dates/times coming soon):

Opening Image Credit: Centre for Aging Better Age-Positive Image Library. 

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Your Benefits: End-of-Year Checklist 

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The end of the year is fast approaching! While you probably don’t need one more task on your to-do list, make sure you’ve used all your 2025 plan year benefits before the year ends.   

  1. Schedule appointments for any missed annual check-ups: If you’re behind on annual check-ups or screenings—such as a wellness exam, dental cleaning, or vision exam—consider scheduling appointments before the end of the year.  
  1.  Be proactive in case of illness: Teladoc is an online medical care service that gives you 24/7 access to a health care professional via the web, phone, or mobile app in minutes. A doctor can even write you a prescription if necessary. Enroll in Teladoc now so you’re prepared when illness strikes.  Available to employees and their dependents who are enrolled in an MSU health plan.  
  1. Note flexible spending account (FSA) deadlines for 2025 plan year funds: If you are enrolled in a health care or dependent care FSA for the 2025 plan year, you have a grace period in 2026 to use these funds. Be sure to use 2025 plan year funds by March 15, 2026, and submit your receipts by April 30, 2026. If you miss the grace period deadline, the IRS requires you to forfeit any unused funds, so plan your remaining expenses for the coming months. View FSA information.  
  1. Review your retirement contributions: The IRS sets new retirement contribution limits each year (the 2026 limits will be shared in January). Make sure you’re saving as much as you can by reviewing the 2025 IRS retirement contribution limits and adjusting contributions for the remainder of the year, if needed.  
  1. Take advantage of special employee discounts for holiday shopping: Visit the MSU Benefits Plus website for deals and discounts on everything from travel and experiences to electronics and toys. 
  1. Schedule any vacation/personal PTO: Taking time to rest and reset is important to maintain your health. Make sure you use all your paid time off (PTO) by planning and scheduling your time off in advance with your supervisor’s approval. This year, the full Winter Break (including Christmas and New Year’s holidays) extends from Thursday, December 25, through Friday, January 2. View the Holiday Schedule for more details. 
  1. Use educational assistance funds: Support staff and academic specialist employees have access to educational assistance funds to use toward professional development opportunities. These funds reset each fall, so don’t miss out. If you’re looking for learning opportunities this year, it’s not too late to sign up for a course offered by HR’s Organization and Professional Development department.    

We hope this list will help keep you on track as you plan how you and your family will use your employee benefits for the rest of the year. You can learn more about all these benefit options on the HR website.   

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Roth Catch Up Requirement and New Retirement Savings Options 

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This article was updated on November 26 with the 2026 IRS Contribution Limits.

To help us learn more about SECURE 2.0 Act and its new Roth options and requirement for certain Catch-up contributions, we talked to Dan, our Retirement Plan expert. Read our Q and A and review available resources to help you determine whether the Roth Catch-up requirement applies to you, if a new Roth savings option might benefit you, and about an increased savings option for those turning 60-63 in 2026.  

What is the SECURE 2.0 Act?  

Dan: In December 2022, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0 Act) was signed into law. The retirement legislation includes significant changes that could help strengthen the retirement system and improve Americans’ financial readiness for retirement. Among a few changes, a big one is the Roth Catch-up requirement for certain people.  

What is the Roth requirement for Catch-up contributions?  

Dan: Starting in 2026, employees turning age 50 or older who earned more than $150,000* in the previous year (2025) must make any age 50 Catch-up contributions as after-tax Roth savings.  

* FICA wages found on your Form W-2 Box 3 wages 

What are the retirement contribution requirements and options based on my age and income, according to SECURE 2.0 Act?  

Dan:  Here is a helpful chart to illustrate the new requirements and available options under SECURE 2.0 Act based on your income, age, and whether you make Catch-up contributions:  

If you:Required ActionAvailable OptionsNotes
Earn more than $150,000* AND will be age 64 or older* in 2026 Any Catch-up contributions (up to $8,000*) MUST be after-tax Roth contributions Make your regular contributions as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth Catch-up contributions CANNOT be pre-tax 
Earn more than $150,000* AND will be ages 60-63* in 2026 Any Catch-up contributions (up to $11,250*) MUST be after-tax Roth contributions Make your regular contributions as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth Catch-up contributions CANNOT be pre-tax 
Earn more than $150,000* AND will be ages 50-59* in 2026 Any Catch-up contributions (up to $8,000*) MUST be after-tax Roth contributions Make your regular contributions as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth Catch-up contributions CANNOT be pre-tax 
Earn more than $150,000* AND will be under age 50* in 2026 No required action Make your regular contributions as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth  
Earn LESS than $150,000* AND will be age 64 or older* in 2026 No required action Make your regular contributions and your Catch-up contributions (up to $8,000*) as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth  
Earn LESS than $150,000* AND will be ages 60-63* in 2026 No required action Make your regular contributions and your Catch-up contributions (up to $11,250*) as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth  
Earn LESS than $150,000* AND will be ages 50-59* in 2026 No required action Make your regular contributions and your Catch-up contributions (up to $8,000*) as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth  
Earn LESS than $150,000* AND will be under age 50* in 2026 No required action Make your regular contributions as either pre-tax or after-tax Roth  

 Notes: 

*Based on the IRS 2026 limits. Ages are based on the age you will be on December 31, 2026. 

**Based on 2025 FICA “Social Security wages” from box 3 of the 2025 MSU W-2 Form. 

***The current pre-tax contribution and the new after-tax Roth option will be subject to the 2026 IRS limits for both their regular employee contributions (currently $24,500) and the Age 50 Catch-up (currently $8,000). 
 

What are the benefits of contributing to a Roth? 

Dan: Unlike traditional pre-tax contributions to a 403(b) or 457(b) account, after-tax Roth contributions allow you to withdraw that money tax free once you retire. So, while you’re still paying taxes on your earnings now, you may enjoy a reduced tax obligation in the future.  

Are there downsides to a Roth contribution?  

Dan: A couple of considerations include the tax implications and timing requirements. First, Roth contributions are withheld after your taxes are deducted, meaning you will pay more in tax with each paycheck and receive less take home pay. Second, you must wait at least five years after your first after-tax Roth contribution and you must be at least 59 ½ years old to make a tax-free withdrawal.  

I am not required to make after-tax contributions, but I’m interested in the opportunity. What do I do?  

Dan: Beginning in January, you can log into the EBS Portal and make changes to your 403(b) Supplemental and/or 457(b) Deferred Compensation accounts to move your current pre-tax contributions to the new after-tax Roth option. The 403(b) Base account will remain available only for pre-tax contributions.  

I’m turning 60-63 in 2026, and I heard about a new retirement savings option for Catch-up contributions. What’s that?  

Dan: If you make Catch-up contributions and you’re turning 60-63 anytime in the calendar year, MSU now offers a new option that allows your Catch-up amount to be higher than the regular Age 50 Catch-up amount. Once you reach the standard contribution limit in your MSU 403(b) Supplemental and/or 457(b) Deferred Compensation accounts, you can save up to $11,250 instead of the regular $8,000 limit for Age 50 Catch-up.

Where do I find more information about SECURE 2.0 Act, Roth and MSU’s Retirement Plans?  

Information about the MSU retirement plans is available on the HR webpage, Available Retirement Plans. You can also learn more on the After-Tax Roth and SECURE 2.0 Act HR webpage. 

Resources: SECURE 2.0 Act and Roth options 

Fidelity: 

TIAA: