Category: Benefits News

This category is for articles and announcements related to your benefits as an MSU benefits-eligible faculty or staff member.

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Support for Working Parents: Helping Kids Navigate Change

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As we transition from summer vacation to back-to-school season, we know parents and caregivers may need extra support. Whether you’re preparing for a new school year, adjusting to new routines, or helping your child navigate a major milestone, your Cariloop benefit can help1.

Cariloop offers support to help guide kids (and parents) through transitions with emotional awareness, resilience, steady routines, and supportive conversations. Review how the following Cariloop resources may help you this back-to-school season:

  • Join the Cariloop Webinar Backpacks, Bedtimes, and Big Feelings: Support Kids Through Life’s Transitions on August 27. New schools, shifting routines, and fresh faces can spark both excitement and nerves. This talk helps you support children through the moments when life switches gears. You’ll learn how to spot stress early, keep daily rhythms steady, and offer comfort when little ones need extra reassurance. Walk away with ideas that help kids of all ages — and their grown-ups — adapt with more confidence.

  • Use Cariloop for Education and College Support. Did you know a Cariloop Coach can help with more than just finding child care? Connect with a licensed Care Coach for personalized support with the following:
    • IEP/504 meetings 
    • Sourcing tutors 
    • ESL learning 
    • School transfers 
    • College prep 
    • FAFSA/scholarships and grants 
    • Home schooling 
    • Neurodiversity support 
    • Learning challenges 
    • Early intervention 
    • Behavior concerns 
    • Choosing graduate programs 
    • Student loans and financial aid 
    • SAT/ACT/ASVAB 
    • Trade programs and apprenticeships  

  • Use a Care Coach to Find Child Care, After-school Programs, and More. Choosing child care is a big decision. You want care that supports your child’s well-being and development while balancing cost, availability, and schedules. A Cariloop Coach can help you find and compare child care options and then schedule tours or interviews so you can see and evaluate options.

    Here’s an example of how a Care Coach could help:
    • You’ll connect with your Care Coach to share your child care preferences, including location, schedule, cost, and learning approach.
    • Your Care Coach will identify nearby options and review licensing, safety records, cost, and availability for each.
    • Finally, your Care Coach will review the options with you and help schedule tours or interviews.

How to Access Cariloop

Visit the Cariloop website and click Get Started to access your benefit. Follow the prompts and sign up with your work email (you can add a personal email or phone later). Once activated, you have access to Cariloop’s Care Coaches, UrbanSitter caregiver platform, tools, resources, and more. Learn more about your Cariloop benefit on the HR website.

1 MSU benefits-eligible employees have free access to the Cariloop platform, along with 30 days of complimentary access to a Care Coach for support with a paid option to extend coaching beyond 30 days (at employee’s expense). Your 30-day Care Coach benefit renews every calendar year.

Seen walking away from the camera, an adult in professional dress carrying a laptop bag holds the hand of a small child in a black and white checked dress with a shiny pink backpack.

Back to School Discounts for the 2026-2027 School Year

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Whether your family loves shopping for back to school, or they dread it every year, MSU Benefits Plus has you covered. All benefit-eligible employees can log into the MSU Benefits Plus portal through MSU’s multifactor authentication system and find dozens of discounts to get you and your family heading back to school in style without paying full price. 

Below are just a few examples of what might be useful this time of year. 

Electronics and Technology

Technology is now an essential part of the school supply list so enjoy extra savings on those investments through a variety of retailers, even here at MSU. 

  • Apple: Save up to 10% on Apple devices and accessories through the Employee Purchase (EPP) program.
  • Dell: Get the best pricing available on all Dell PCs, electronics and accessories.
  • HP: Up to 50% off HP computers and accessories through their EEP.
  • Lenovo: Take advantage of exclusive savings on Lenovo PCs, accessories, and innovative AI-powered technology.
  • Microsoft Office: Save over 50% on Office 2024 and even more on previous versions.
  • MSU Tech Store: Purchase all kinds of tech with prices exclusive to MSU staff, faculty, and students.

Apparel and Beauty

Everyone wants a great outfit for their first day of school, whether you’re a student, an educator, or even if it’s just another day at the office. 

  • Pair Eyewear: Start the new year in style with customizable glasses you’ll love and get a free gift with purchase using code CORESTEAM-GIFT.
  • Bombas: 25% off a purchase of $85 or more with code Exclusive25 (plus a pair is donated with every pair purchased!).
  • Crocs: Save $20 off a purchase of $100 or more using the code SUNNYDEAL20.
  • Spartan Spirit Shops: Visit any Shop in person and show your Faculty/Staff ID for 20% off!

Education 

Learn a new skill, stock up on textbooks for those fall courses, and show your Spartan spirit, all at a discount through these local organizations. 

  • Spartan Bookstore: 10% off new and used books when you show your ID.
  • Student Book Store: 10% of your whole purchase (excluding computer software and calculators) when you show your ID.
  • Method Learning: Up to 20% off SAT/ACT prep, college advising and more.

For all of these discounts and more visit the HR Website or the MSU Benefits Plus portal. Employees can also call Benefits Plus at 888-758-7575 with any questions. Back-to-School is on at Michigan State!

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Your Top Questions About MSU’s Optional Retirement Plans

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Whether this is your first job out of school or you’ve been working for 40+ years, it’s important to make sure you’re taking advantage of every opportunity to prepare for your eventual retirement. Most benefit-eligible employees* are aware of and enrolled in the 403(b) Base Retirement Program (BRP) offered by MSU, which consists of a 5% employee contribution of your eligible compensation and a generous university matching contribution of 10% – an immediate two-for-one match of your investment – for a total contribution of 15%. While this provides an excellent foundation for your retirement savings, most employees will eventually want to consider additional savings options for their retirement.

In addition to the BRP, eligible employees also have the option of enrolling in two additional retirement programs: the 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Enrollment in one or both optional programs can help employees meet their retirement savings goals, making it easier for them to transition to retirement.

New in 2026: SECURE 2.0 Act and After-Tax Roth Option

Earlier this year, MSU’s retirement plans were enhanced in alignment with the federal SECURE 2.0 Act to include a new requirement and an option for Catch-up contributions as well as a new After-tax Roth Contribution option for all eligible employees. Learn more on the HR webpage, After-Tax Roth and SECURE 2.0 Act.

Answers to Top Questions about Optional Retirement Plans

We’ve compiled a list of the top questions we receive as employees think about enrolling in these optional plans:

  • Q: Is there a minimum contribution amount required for one of the optional plans? What about a maximum amount?

    A: Employees may elect any percentage contribution, as all contributions are based on a percentage of eligible pay. For example, 1.50% would be an acceptable contribution election. Employees wishing to contribute a certain amount, such as $100 per paycheck, can use the calculator to convert a dollar amount to a percentage.

    Maximum contribution amounts are set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year. Information on current IRS limits, including Age 50 Catch-up contributions, can be reviewed at Maximizing Your Retirement Plan Contributions.

  • Q: Does contributing a small amount, such as $25 a month, make a difference in the long run?

    A: We encourage employees to work with their financial advisors or retirement vendors for assistance in deciding how much more to contribute. You may be surprised how a small contribution over a long time can impact your retirement account balance, and you may want to take advantage of compounding earnings as you save for retirement.

  • Q: What are the main differences between the 403(b) Supplemental and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan?

    A: Generally, the differences are when an individual can access the funds and the loan provisions. Also, the 403(b) Supplemental contributions must be added to the Voluntary 403(b) Base contributions when calculating the IRS maximum contributions, whereas the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan has a separate IRS maximum limit. A more detailed comparison of the two different optional accounts can be found in the Retirement Plans Comparison chart.

  • Q: Can I enroll in an optional retirement plan account at any time?

    A: Yes, retirement plan elections can be made at any time. This includes beginning or canceling enrollment, increasing or decreasing contribution percentages, and changing vendors. Depending on payroll schedules and deadlines, there may be a delay when contributions start or stop. For more detailed information, please visit the HR website at Enroll or Make Changes to Retirement Plans.

For more information about available retirement plans from MSU, please review the retirement resources on the HR website and the MSU Retirement Plans Enrollment Guide. Find instructions to enroll in these optional retirement plans at any time throughout the year. Please contact the HR Solutions Center with any questions at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

*Note: Certain types of employees are excluded from participating in the 403(b) Retirement Plan. Please see the 403(b) Base Retirement Program Eligibility Chart for more details. 

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Your Mid-Year Benefits Wellness Check-Up

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National Insurance Awareness Day (June 28) encourages us to review our insurance options to make sure we’re enrolled in the best plans for our families. As an MSU employee, you have a variety of benefit options available to you beyond just health care and dental plans. While many of these benefits allow you to enroll in or make changes at any time, several require you to sign up, change, or cancel enrollment during the Open Enrollment period in October. If you’re interested in a benefit but unable to sign up right away, review the plan options and make a list of changes you’d like to make so you’re prepared for the upcoming Open Enrollment period in October.

Benefits without an Enrollment Period

The following benefits are available to enroll in, change, or cancel at any time. You’ll find a brief description of each benefit below, and you can click on the benefit name for more details and information on how to enroll/register.

  • Auto: Find special pricing on insurance for your vehicle through Farmers GroupSelect or Liberty Mutual Insurance.
  • Educational Assistance: Support staff have access to educational assistance funds to help cover the costs of credit and non-credit professional development opportunities.
  • Home: Find special pricing on insurance for your home through Farmers GroupSelect or Liberty Mutual Insurance.
  • Livongo by Teladoc Health: Employees and their dependents enrolled in an MSU health plan can receive diabetes management supplies and coaching at no cost.
  • Pet: Find special pricing on pet insurance through Nationwide.
  • Teladoc Health Telemedicine: An online medical care service that gives you 24/7 access to a healthcare professional via web, phone, or mobile app. Use Teladoc to get help for a range of conditions, including cold/flu, bronchitis, allergies, pink eye, dermatology, and more.
  • Teladoc Medical Experts: Get medical advice from leading medical experts. Whether you need medical questions answered, a diagnosis double-checked, help deciding on a treatment plan, or guidance about a surgery, Teladoc Medical Experts can help.
  • TruHearing: Some benefit providers offer discounts on hearing aids. Please contact the providers directly to learn more about the discounts they offer.

Benefits with an Enrollment Period

The following benefit options have an enrollment period. This means you can only enroll in, change, or cancel the benefit during Open Enrollment in October each year. We encourage you to review the plans you’re currently enrolled in, along with the options available, and make a plan to make any necessary changes this October. Please note that updates for the 2027 plan year will be shared this September before Open Enrollment in October:

  • Critical Illness: MetLife gives you extra cash in the event you or a covered family member experiences a covered illness.
  • Dental: Various plans are available based on your employee type. We encourage you to check which dentists are available in your area before enrolling in a new plan.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): There are two FSA options available for employees – Dependent Care FSA and Health Care FSA. Be sure you know the difference before you enroll.
  • Health Care (including prescription): Various plans are available based on your employee type and work location.
  • Legal: ARAG currently offers plan options to help cover a wide range of legal needs.
  • Life/Accident Insurance: Several types of life insurance are available for you to enroll in, along with voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance.
  • Vision: Two plan options are available through VSP for vision care.

Please visit the HR website to learn more about all the benefit options available to you. For questions about enrollment and eligibility, please contact the HR Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

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Guidance from Fidelity and TIAA: Financial Goals to Strengthen Your Future

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As a benefits-eligible employee, you may know about the generous retirement savings programs and resources MSU offers to help set you up for a successful retirement. However, MSU’s retirement plan vendors, Fidelity and TIAA, can help you with more than just retirement planning. Whatever your financial goals – such as funding a big purchase, paying down debt, or creating a sustainable budget – Fidelity and TIAA can help you create a plan to achieve them. 

Fidelity and TIAA are financial professionals who can provide strategies and advice to help you take charge of your finances. Review the goals below and then contact your vendor using the following information. 

  1. Create a Budget: Many people only have a vague understanding of their spending habits or financial situation. Between trying to comprehend financial jargon, figuring out your goals, and understanding how to balance debt, saving, and investing, it’s no wonder people often bury their heads in the sand. Luckily, Fidelity and TIAA have tools, resources, and advice to help us make a plan and stay on track. Learn More: 
  2. Build an Emergency Fund: Setting aside money for an emergency – such as unemployment, surprise medical or vet bills, or unplanned home repairs – is a key element of basic financial planning and often the first step advisors will recommend. According to TIAA, “you should aim to have enough to cover 6 months of expenses in a readily accessible account.” (TIAA, 2026). These living expenses include the things you absolutely must pay for each month, such as food, housing, utilities, child care, health care, transportation, debt payments, or similar. 

    The latest report released by the Federal Reserve found that 37% of adults would not be able to afford a $400 emergency expense (2025, Federal Reserve), which means they would have to use credit cards, personal loans, early retirement withdrawals, or ask family/friends for assistance. Saving towards an emergency fund – even if it’s only a small amount each month – can help you build a safety net to keep you out of debt. Learn more: 
  3. Pay Down Debt: The average American owes more than $105,000 in debt across mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, student loans, auto loans, credit cards, and personal loans (Fidelity, 2025). While having debt isn’t necessarily bad – a mortgage loan, for instance, can help you build wealth and eventually own a home – having too much debt or high-interest debt can lead to financial stress. Fidelity clarifies, “Good debt is generally considered any debt that may help you increase your net worth or generate future income. Importantly, it typically has a low interest or annual percentage rate (APR), which experts say is normally under 6%” (Fidelity, 2025). 

    TIAA and Fidelity offer actionable steps to help you move in the right direction. Review the resources below for advice on managing debt and contact your vendor directly to receive personal financial advice. Learn more: 
  4. Maximize Your Retirement Investment: Most benefit-eligible employees1 are enrolled in the 403(b) Base Retirement Program, which consists of a 5% employee contribution of your eligible compensation and a generous university matching contribution of 10%. That’s an immediate two-for-one match of your investment for a total contribution of 15%. While this provides a great foundation for your retirement savings, you may eventually want to consider additional options. It’s important to note that the IRS places limits on how much employees can contribute to their retirement savings accounts each year. However, many people may discover there is a lot of room before their current contributions reach that limit. Fidelity and TIAA can help you determine what your retirement contributions should be to help you reach your personal retirement goals – whether that date is 30 years in the future or just around the corner. Learn more: 
  5. Plan Your Estate: According to TIAA, “More than two-thirds of Americans don’t have a will. If you die without one, state law determines how your assets are distributed.” (TIAA, 2026). Despite the challenging nature of the topic, creating a solid plan can give you and your family peace of mind and the confidence that your wishes will be carried out as desired. Learn more: 

Questions? We encourage you to reach out to Fidelity  (800-642-7131) or TIAA  (800-732-8353) with your financial or retirement planning questions. 

1 Certain types of employees are excluded from participating in the 403(b) Retirement Plan. Please see the 403(b) Base Retirement Program Eligibility Chart for more details.  

Sources: 

Building an Emergency Fund. TIAA. (n.d.). https://www.tiaa.org/public/learn/financial-education/building-an-emergency-fund

Good debt vs bad debt. Fidelity. (2025, October 116). https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/good-debt-vs-bad-debt 

How to make a financial plan. Fidelity. (2024, February 21). https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/wealth-management-insights/how-to-make-a-financial-plan-video 

Report on the economic well-being of U.S. households in 2024 – May 2025. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. (2025, May). https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/2025-economic-well-being-of-us-households-in-2024-executive-summary.htm   

Tips for managing and reducing your debt. TIAA. (n.d.). https://www.tiaa.org/public/learn/personal-finance-101/debt-consolidation 

Top Estate Planning Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them. TIAA. (n.d.). https://www.tiaa.org/public/invest/services/wealth-management/perspectives/estate-planning-pitfalls  

Your Calm Health App FAQs 

Published on by Abigail Miller2 Comments

We recently launched the Calm Health app for benefits-eligible MSU employees and their dependents (aged 13+) who are enrolled in an MSU health plan. Interested employees had the following questions about the app that we’d like to address below.

What is Calm Health?

Calm Health is a mindfulness app designed to support mental and physical health. It’s free to benefits-eligible MSU employees and their dependents (aged 13+) who are enrolled in an MSU health plan. It provides support for stress, anxiety, sleep, and overall well-being through guided programs, check-ins, and self-care tools.

How do I sign up?

You have three options to sign up:

  1. Use this Calm Health app direct registration link.
  2. Download the Calm Health app from the App Store or Google Play. Use the access code “BCBSMI” during the registration process. This code is not case sensitive.
  3. Login to your Blue Cross Blue Shield member account and click on Find Care. Scroll down to Find Behavioral Health Support and click on the Find Help button. Scroll down and select the Calm Health app tile to proceed.

After you sign up, you’re ready to complete the onboarding questions and start using the app.

Will MSU see my personal information?

No. Your privacy is protected, and the individual use of the app is confidential.

Where can I get help if I have technical issues?

You may submit a request for assistance with Calm Health or chat with an AI assistant. For additional help, contact MSU Human Resources at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434 (toll free: 800-353-4434).

What kind of tools does the app utilize?

Calm Health is a leading, self-directed, self-care digital app that utilizes the following tools:

  • Sleep support
  • Meditations
  • Music to relax
  • Mindfulness videos
  • Soundscapes
  • Daily guided content
  • And much more!

It also includes short screenings to customize member experience, with self-guided, evidence-based modules and tools that allow you to go at your own speed. You’ll receive personalized recommendations for relevant resources with content written by psychologists.

What kind of support does the app provide?

The app supports stress, anxiety, sleep improvement, work-life balance, relationships, parenting, grief, life challenges, and emotional health, just to name a few.

What type of customer data is collected by Calm Health?

Calm Health collects user-provided data needed to deliver the service, including registration details (e.g., name, email, employee ID, and other non-sensitive identifiers), in-app activity, mental health screening and survey responses, self-reported conditions, goals, and topics.

Find the full details in the Calm Health Privacy Policy and Data Processing Addendum.

What type of data is stored at the member level vs. aggregate level (for monitoring utilization trends)?

At the member level, Calm Health stores the information needed to operate the service and comply with legal and contractual requirements (e.g., registration and eligibility attributes, app engagement, survey and program completion data) in Calm Health’s secure environment.

Calm Health will provide non-sensitive information to MSU showing overall member usage and engagement, governed by the access, privacy, and security controls set out in the Data Processing Addendum.

No personal or identifying information will be shared with MSU. Here’s an example of the type of non-identifying information Calm Health may share with MSU:

  • 400 employees and/or eligible dependents have registered for the Calm Health app
  • 100 joined a program
  • 50 members completed a program
  • 200 completed at least 1 self-assessment
  • 30% of members are aged 45-54
  • 80% registered as female

What are the retention practices for the retained data?

Calm Health will retain the employee’s personal data until the employee terminates their membership with Calm Health.

If you have additional questions or comments about the Calm Health app, please share them below!

Compound Interest: How Starting Early Supercharges Your Retirement Plan

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

We are committed to helping our employees prepare for a successful retirement by offering several retirement savings plan options, along with tools and resources to help you reach your goals.

Most benefit-eligible employees are enrolled in the 403(b) Base Retirement Program, which consists of a 5% employee contribution of your eligible compensation and a generous university matching contribution of 10%. That’s an immediate two-for-one match of your investment for a total contribution of 15%. While this provides a great foundation, you may want to consider additional savings options. MSU also offers two additional savings accounts: the 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.

How to Make a Retirement Savings Plan

It’s normal to have many questions when you start to plan for your retirement:

  • How early should I start planning?
  • How much do I need to save to retire comfortably?
  • Which plan(s) should I contribute to?
  • What can I do to maximize my savings?
  • Are my retirement goals attainable?

The answers will depend on your financial situation and retirement goals. We strongly encourage all MSU employees to make an appointment with their retirement vendor – Fidelity or TIAA – to discuss their options and develop a personalized savings plan. Fidelity and TIAA are financial professionals who can provide helpful strategies, tips, and actionable steps that can help you take charge of your finances.

Additionally, both Fidelity and TIAA have numerous resources – including articles, webinars, interactive tools, and more – to help you learn about saving for retirement and other financial goals.

The Power of Compound Interest

For younger MSU employees, creating a comprehensive retirement savings plan may not be a top priority. Between student loans, rent, childcare, and more, it can be difficult to set aside money for a day 30 to 40 years in the future. But the young have a huge advantage when it comes to saving money for retirement: more time. This additional time allows them to potentially benefit the most from compounding interest, which may lead to greater savings down the road.

Compounding interest basically means allowing an investment to earn money while continually reinvesting those earnings over time. The more time you have, the smaller your original investment may need to be. In the hypothetical example below, a 25-year-old starts saving $5,000 annually ($416 per month), and a 40-year-old starts saving twice as much but waits until age 40 ($833 per month).

A visual that shows the hypothetical example of a 25-year-old making $5,000 in contributions annually ending up with approximately $798,735 at retirement, while only contributing 200,000. A 40-year-old that starts saving twice as much, $10,000 annually, will only end up with $566,317 and contribute $250,000.

The 25-year-old ends up contributing less money over time – $200,000 versus $250,000 – but ends up with a higher balance: $798,735 versus $566,317. In other words, the 25-year-old contributes $50,000 less but ends up with $232,000 more than the 40-year-old who waited to save. As this example shows, younger investors may benefit from saving as much as possible as soon as possible.

If your retirement date is a bit closer, you can still take advantage of compounding interest. However, you may need to increase your monthly contributions to meet your retirement savings goals. Luckily, the IRS allows people who are aged 50 years or older to contribute an additional “catch-up” amount to their retirement plans each year.

To contribute a certain amount, such as $100 per paycheck, you can use the calculating tool to convert a dollar amount to a percentage. As you determine your contribution amount, please note the IRS places limits on how much employees can contribute to a retirement plan each year. Additionally, requirements in SECURE 2.0 Act began in 2026, 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. 

Of course, remember that investment returns are not guaranteed and will fluctuate — in some years you may have gains, and in other years you may have losses. But over time, any investment with a net gain will benefit from compounding.

How to Change Your Contribution

While your contribution to the 403(b) Base account is fixed based on your income, you can adjust your contributions to the 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program and/or the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan at any time. Follow these steps:

  1. Login to the EBS Portal with your MSU NetID and password.
  2. Select My Benefits from the top navigation.
  3. Click on the Benefit/Retirement Enrollment and Changes tile.
  4. Select Enroll/Change my Retirement/Health Savings Account Options from the dropdown menu and click Next. 
  5. On the Savings Plan screen, you’ll be able to edit your contributions to the 403(b) Supplemental and/or 457(b) Deferred Compensation accounts.
  6. Make sure you click through all the screens and hit Save to finalize the change to your contributions.

Questions? We encourage you to reach out to Fidelity (800-642-7131) or TIAA scheduling (800-732-8353) for your retirement planning questions. Visit the HR website for additional information on the retirement plans offered by MSU.

1 Please note that the example above is a hypothetical illustration only and is not intended to represent the past or future performance of any investment. The example assumes contributions are made monthly at a 6% annual effective rate, compounded monthly, and no withdrawals. Actual performance will vary with market conditions. Investing involves risk. There is no assurance that the goals will be met or that the solution or strategy will be successful. This example was developed in partnership with TIAA.

2 Certain types of employees are excluded from participating in the 403(b) Retirement Plan. Please see the 403(b) Base Retirement Program Eligibility Chart for more details.

Q&A: Vacation/Personal Paid Time Off (PTO)

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

Do you have a plan for using your vacation/personal paid time off (PTO) this year? While most of us are aware that time away from work is crucial to maintaining mental health and supporting our relationships, we sometimes have a hard time truly disconnecting. 

While it may seem harmless to check in a couple of times while you’re away, to really benefit from a vacation you need to disconnect entirely. Review these tips for setting boundaries so you can get adequate rest and reset. Having a plan for setting boundaries with your team before, during, and after your vacation will help reduce pre- and post-vacation stress. We encourage everyone to work with their supervisor to schedule a well-deserved break.

Your Top PTO Questions 

The following are the most common questions HR receives regarding PTO and answers vary based on the employee’s personal details. These answers are only applicable to regular, benefit-eligible employees working half-time or more. Please make sure to reference the appropriate policy page for further details: support staff, faculty and academic staff, librarians, and MSU extension. 

  1. Support Staff Only: How do I find out how much PTO I currently have?
    Login to the EBS Portal and select My Time & Payroll from the top navigation, then select the Time Quota Balances tile. For support using the application, please review the Time Quota Balances help page. 
  2. Support Staff Only: How do I find out how much PTO I have used?
    Login to the EBS Portal and select My Time & Payroll from the top navigation, then select the Time Quota Usage Monthly Report tile. For support using the application, please review the Time Quota Usage Monthly help page. 
  3. Support Staff Only: How do I accrue vacation days? 
    Eligible support staff accrue vacation days monthly after completion of six months of service. The amount accrued depends on union affiliation, employment percentage, and length of employment. Please review the support staff vacation time policy page for more details. 
  4. Support Staff Only: Is there a maximum amount of vacation PTO I can accrue? 
    Yes. The maximum amount eligible support staff can accrue depends on union affiliation, employment percentage, and length of employment. Please review the support staff vacation time policy page for more details. Support staff cannot earn vacation time beyond the accrual limit. You are encouraged to use your PTO so you don’t lose out on valuable vacation time.
  5. Support Staff Only: How do I enter my PTO in EBS for supervisor approval?
    Login to the EBS Portal and select My Time & Payroll from the top navigation, then select the Time Entries & Statement tile. Enter the number of hours in the cell for the correct date in the row with the appropriate absence type. For support using the application, please review the Time Entries and Statement help page. 
  6. What is the difference between personal leave, personal observance days, and vacation PTO? 
    Eligible support staff are granted both personal leave and vacation PTO. Eligible faculty and academic staff are granted vacation PTO.  

    For support staff, up to 24 hours of personal leave PTO is granted each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). The amount granted is proportional to the employment percentage. You may not carry these hours over to the next year, so make sure you use this PTO before the fiscal year ends. Please review the support staff personal leave policy page for more details. Please note: POAM employees should review the POAM union contract for their unique personal leave policy. 

    Vacation PTO is granted to eligible employees and varies based on employee type, union affiliation, employment percentage, length of employment, and new hire status. Please review the appropriate policy for further details: support staff, faculty and academic staff, librarians, and MSU extension. 
    Personal Observance Days are two additional days (16 hours, prorated based on the start date and percent time) of personal time that eligible faculty, support, and academic staff employees will be able to use each calendar year. Please refer to the Personal Observance FAQ page for further details.
  7. I’m a new employee. Do I have immediate access to my vacation PTO? 
    This depends on your employee type. Eligible faculty, academic, and support staff have access to vacation PTO after 6 months of service. Eligible librarians and MSU Extension employees have access immediately upon employment. Please review the appropriate policy for further details: support staff, faculty and academic staff, librarians, and MSU extension. 
  8. What happens to my unused time off accruals if I leave the university—such as through retirement or termination?
    Employees will receive payment for unused vacation time and may receive a portion of accrued sick leave upon university retirement or termination in certain circumstances. Please review the appropriate policy for further details: vacation and sick leave payouts, support staff vacation time policy, and support staff sick time policy.
  9. How much vacation time can I use at once?
    It is up to each department to determine what is an appropriate amount of vacation time to be taken at once. Departments should make sure to consistently approve vacation requests fairly.
  10. For Time Entry Roles Only: What are the absence and attendance codes? 
    Please review the Absence and Attendance Codes page for specific employee groups for more information.   

Resources

More information about PTO for eligible employees can be found on the HR website (support staff and faculty/academic staff). We encourage you to review the appropriate policy pages thoroughly to help answer any questions you may have. Support staff may contact MSU Human Resources at  SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434 with questions. Questions from faculty and academic staff may be directed to FASAffairs@msu.edu.


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Your Benefits: New Plan Year Checklist

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

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.