Month: February 2019

This week’s job of the week is a Police Officer (#562368) for the Department of Police and Public Safety. This position is seeking an individual to serve as a full-service law enforcement agent, upholding the high standards of conduct while protecting the MSU community and taking proactive measures to prevent crime.

The responsibilities for this role include participating in training sessions such as legal updates, defensive tactics and firearms. Other responsibilities for this role include performing investigations and conducting legal searches of subjects, deescalating situations with proper verbal commands and effectively carrying out community team policing functions.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge acquired by completing a four-year college degree program, or attainment of a degree within six months of hire; six months to one year of related and progressively more responsible work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visit careers.msu.edu. Internal applicants should access postings through the Careers @ MSU tile in the EBS Portal.

Did you know America Saves Week is February 25 – March 2? America Saves Week is a nationally recognized time to encourage individuals and families “to save money, reduce debt, and build wealth” (America Saves, 2018). This includes saving money and planning for retirement. Both MSU’s retirement vendors, Fidelity and TIAA, offer multiple resources for America Saves Week with live webinars, courses for financial literacy and other tools.

Fidelity offers a variety of online resources, including webinars on everything from managing life, to saving and investment, to preparing for retirement. Fidelity is offering live webinars for Fidelity members during America Saves Week; if you’re not a member, you can find previous webcasts available any time at Fidelity. There are additional resources on MSU’s Fidelity microsite; some resources may require a member login. For additional questions, you can give Fidelity a call at 888-766-6813.

TIAA offers educational articles on saving, tools for goal setting, a retirement calculator, and free live webinars. If you’re feeling unsure about investing or retirement planning, TIAA can help you with online professionals. You don’t need to be a TIAA member to participate in the live webinars, simply select the “Guest Login” option on their website when signing up for a webinar. You can also give them a call at 800-842-2252.

Whether you’re looking to save for retirement now or start planning for your future, Fidelity and TIAA can help you plan with webinars, online professional help and financial literacy courses. For general questions about retirement, contact MSU HR at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434. For questions about your specific retirement plans, please contact your retirement vendor directly.

Do you have a loved who needs assistance with daily routines, such as bathing or eating, due to either a physical or mental impairment? Are you prepared if this were to become a reality in your life in the future – either for yourself or a loved one? Long-term care is here to help an individual due to an injury, illness, mental deterioration or advancing age. Long-term care is not only for the elderly; it can help you when an unexpected accident or illness arises.

MSU offers long-term care insurance as an optional benefit to eligible MSU employees. If you are an eligible faculty, academic staff, executive management, or support staff member,  you are eligible. Your spouse, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, grandparents-in-law, adult children, and sibling (referred to as other eligible individuals (OEI) under the plan) are eligible as well.

Long-term care insurance is offered through Transamerica, and you can enroll anytime during the year through MSU Benefits Plus. Not sure what options to choose? You can consult with specialists from the Todd Benefits Group, a third-party firm specializing in long-term-care benefits, to help you select the Transamerica options that best meet your needs.

Here are some most frequently asked questions about long-term care:

How do I or one of my OEIs qualify for long-term care coverage?

First, a licensed health care practitioner needs to provide a plan of care and certify that within the last 12 months you/your OEI are unable to perform two out of six activities of daily living or have a severe cognitive impairment that requires substantial supervision, you are eligible to start receiving long-term care benefits. These activities include bathing, maintaining continence, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring.

How do I determine how much long-term care coverage to get?

Policies have a daily benefit amount and a lifetime benefit amount. The daily benefit amount is the amount the insurance company will reimburse you for each day of qualified care received. The lifetime benefit amount is the total amount available to cover the cost of long-term care services.

Factors to consider when deciding how much to purchase include:

• Cost of care in your area of residence or where you plan to live in retirement
• Other sources of income or how much you can afford to self-insure

It’s best to consult the Todd Benefits Group for assistance in deciding.

Does long-term care only include out-of-home care or in-home care?

Long-term care includes Home Care, Home Health Care, Adult Day Care and Hospice Care.

What if I wish to remain at home but still require long-term care?

a. Long-term care insurance called TransCare II includes a Cash Benefit which, once you qualify for benefits, you can choose to receive your benefit payments in an amount equal to 10 times the maximum daily benefit each month. You can use this money in any way you see fit and it gives you freedom of choice to pay a family member for care, for example.

b. The Remain at Home Benefit can further assist with challenges you may face when you wish to stay in your home. For example, this benefit can be used to pay for the following qualified long-term care services:

i. Home modification (ramps, grab bars, etc.)

ii.Caregiver training for informal caregivers (such as a family member)

iii. Therapeutic device or technology (i.e., crutches, wheelchairs, hospital-style beds)

iv. Medical Alert System (rental or purchase of systems to monitor health)

How much does it cost?

Premium rates vary depending on the coverage you select. Contact the Todd Benefits Group to determine what coverage is best for you. There’s also a Premium Calculator on their MSU website portal which allows you to review some coverage options, as well as create your own custom plan and see immediate premium quotes.

Are there any discounts available?

• A 5% discount for all (including family members) who qualify for coverage.
• Married/Partner* discount of 15% if only one spouse applies (if you have a spouse/partner).
• Spousal/Partner* discount of 30% if both apply (with identical coverage) and are approved.
• Preferred discount of 10% if you qualify medically.

*This includes OEIs.

What happens to my policy when I retire or change employment?

Coverage is provided under an individual long-term care policy, which means nothing changes if you retire or change jobs. Benefits and discounts are permanent.

What happens if I never use my long-term care policy?

In the event you do not utilize your policy, there is a return of premium to age 67. If you pass away before age 67, TransAmerica will pay a lump sum benefit to your beneficiary or estate totaling the sum of all premiums paid less the amount of any claims.

Still not sure if you or your OEIs are eligible? First, review your respective policy: Faculty & Academic Staff; Support Staff. You can also learn more about more about long-term care insurance on the HR website or request more information from Todd Benefits Group at 1-888-310-8633. Visit MSU Benefits Plus to enroll and learn about enrollment options.

Information in this blog post was provided in part by the Todd Benefits Group and Pacific Resources, MSU’s voluntary benefits administrator. 

This week’s job of the week is an Extension 4-H Program Coordinator (#561501) for the MSU Extension Children and Youth Institute. This position is seeking an individual to provide leadership and oversight for the growth and management of local 4-H programs, volunteers and youth participants.

The responsibilities for this role include recruiting, selecting and training 4-H program volunteers, overseeing program promotion, and gathering and analyzing data for impact evaluation efforts, among other duties.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge acquired by completing a four-year degree; two years’ experience in program development and management in 4-H or other youth development program; volunteer management and experience supervising volunteers or of others; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visit careers.msu.edu. Internal applicants should access postings through the Careers @ MSU tile in the EBS Portal.

Have you ever needed to get an MRI, X-ray or mammogram and had to rearrange your schedule to fit it in? In your fast-paced and busy life, convenience is key! Did you know you can get imaging services like an MRI, CT or PET scan done right here on campus? MSU Radiology offers a full range of imaging services such as bone densitometry, digital mammography, ultrasound/vascular ultrasound, X-rays and much more, with scheduling options that also match your busy life.

MSU Radiology has locations in both the Clinical Center on Service Road and the Eyde Building on Hagadorn Road, along with a range of open hours including early mornings, nights and weekends to accommodate your schedule. Most procedures require an appointment, but same day appointments are typically available, depending on your schedule. Walk-ins are welcome for X-ray services with no appointment necessary.

Along with convenience comes expert care. The radiologists at MSU Radiology are unique in that they have acquired additional training and are board-certified for specialty interpretations.

Wonder what to expect? Check out the video below on MRI services:

If you need imaging services and it’s not an emergency, ask your doctor to refer you to MSU Radiology. If you are an MSU benefits-eligible employee, you and your dependents are eligible to use your MSU health coverage at MSU Radiology for imaging services with no change in your copay. You’ll need a written order from your doctor, which they can access on the Radiology website, and your health insurance card with a form of identification.

You’ll be in and out quickly with low wait times and convenient parking in both locations. You can park in Lot 100 directly in front of the Clinical Center; while this is a paid lot, customers are given parking validation when they leave the office, so there is no cost to park in this lot. You can also park in employee-designated parking in Lots 91 or 92 across the street. Parking at the Eyde Building is located on both sides of the building.

Learn more information about MSU Radiology, see a full list of the services they offer or make an appointment at 517-353-5053.

This week’s job of the week is a Communications Manager I (#559535) for Lyman Briggs College. This position is seeking an individual to work collaboratively across the organization to develop content that conveys the college’s reputation and visibility on a national and international level.

The responsibilities for this role include developing communications plans to meet the needs of the college and using social media to drive support and engagement. Other responsibilities for this role include gathering support from alumni and donors through advocacy and managing media relations to cultivate, create and gain local media placement.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Journalism, Telecommunications, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, Professional Writing, or a related field; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public and media relations; composing, editing and publication production; news, broadcasting, and print media; and/or marketing, advertising, and creative services; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visit careers.msu.edu. Internal applicants should access postings through the Careers @ MSU tile in the EBS Portal.

Have you struggled in the past trying to stop using tobacco and nicotine products? Have you heard about MSU Breathe Easy program? MSU Health4U created Breathe Easy, a free tobacco and nicotine cessation program.

As an MSU employee (or benefit-eligible dependent) who is currently using tobacco, begin your next step to quit with Breathe Easy. Breathe Easy offers fall and spring support sessions for employees and/or their benefit-eligible dependents looking to stop using tobacco or nicotine products. The next available session will begin Wednesday, Feb. 20 and will run every Wednesday until May 8. This program offers behavior support, medical evaluation and the choice of medication to quit. (You also have the option to quit without using medication.)

You can register for the upcoming session at 517-353-2596 or by emailing health4u@msu.edu. Find more information on this program at MSU’s Health4U website or visit Linton Hall, Room 113.