Tag: MSU Benefits Plus

Retirement Planning: 2025 IRS Retirement Plan Contribution Limits 

Published on by Megan MacGregor1 Comment

Whether your retirement is on the horizon or a faraway goal, it’s important that you continue to monitor and adjust how much you’re saving if you want to have a comfortable retirement. The IRS places limits on how much employees can contribute to a retirement plan each year and recently announced the retirement plan limits for 2025: 

  • The annual employee contribution amount increased from $23,000 to $23,500 for 403(b) and 457(b) plans. 
  • The age 50 catch-up contribution amount remains the same at $7,500 for 403(b) and 457(b) plans. 

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. 
  1. Click the My Benefits tab at the top. 
  1. Click the Benefit/Retirement tile. 
  1. Select Enroll/Change my Retirement/Health Savings Account Options in the drop-down menu and then click Next in the bottom right. 
  1. Navigate in the bar graph to the Savings Plans screen by clicking Next in the bottom right. 
  1. 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. 
  1. 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. 
  1. If you want to enroll in a new plan, begin by clicking on the paper icon next to the plan and vendor of your choosing, and then enter the percentage of your new contribution and choose Select to enroll. 
  1. 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 following articles contain more detailed information about MSU’s retirement plan options and preparing for retirement: 

The  HR website  also contains a wealth of information about the different types of retirement plans offered, retirement investment vendors, and planning tools available. 

Job of The Week: Farm to Youth Network Coordinator

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Farm to Youth Network Coordinator for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (job posting 1008512). If you are interested in collaborative work with the Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) to develop regionally integrated and sustainable food systems, this may be the role for you.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources provides students with an academically challenging environment where they put their knowledge and skills into practice not only on campus but around the globe. The Center for Regional Food Systems’ vision is a thriving economy, equity, and sustainability for Michigan, the country, and the planet with a mission of engaging the people of Michigan in applied research and education to develop sustainable food systems. 

In this position, you will collaborate with statewide stakeholders both virtually and in-person to grow partnerships in early care and education and farm-to-school programs. You will actively engage in outreach, technical assistance, and collaboration with CRFS colleagues and partners. You will manage newsletter communications across networks, work with the Communications Team to manage social media, write grant proposals and reports, pursue future grant funding, and attend quarterly staff retreats and workshops. Additionally, you will build connections to improve school spaces in partnership with the Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub Grant Technical Assistance Fund.  

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a degree in Educational Theory and Methodology or a similar area and one to three years of work experience. You should have experience overseeing conferences, organizing training materials, budgeting and maintaining records, and supervising.. Experience in Farm to Youth, Farm to Institution, or food systems-related programming is desired. You should be willing to do minimal traveling, demonstrate strong leadership and teamwork skills, and have a high ability to self-direct and balance a combination of these tasks. 

Learn more about the College of Agriculture here and the Center for Regional Food Systems here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications with a resume, cover letter, and references should be submitted by December 3rd. 

Job of the Week: Development Associate

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Development Associate for University Advancement (job posting 40001226). The Development Associates Program in University Advancement provides entry-level positions allowing the university to recruit and hire individuals with the skills to be successful fundraisers. If you are interested in fundraising, this may be the role for you.

University Advancement looks to the future with optimism and a growth mindset, and its mission is to advance the Spartan impact. By securing support through talent, service, gifts, advocacy, and more, University Advancement’s main goal is to create long-lasting connections with the Spartan community, building a better tomorrow for MSU. 

In this position, you will work within an environment heavily concentrated on mentorship and professional coaching to teach the art and science of fundraising at MSU. You will coordinate prospect identification efforts with college and unit teams, annual giving, and alumni engagement officers while building and managing a development portfolio. You will cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership annual and entry-level major gift prospects, and meet first-year fundraising benchmarks. Additionally, you will collaborate with the annual giving team to follow up on leads and ensure timely and efficient engagement with potential donors. You will also be responsible for developing personalized fundraising approaches to achieve goals and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a degree in communications, public relations, or marketing and up to six months of progressively more responsible work in professional fundraising or related fields. You should have strong organizational, interpersonal, written, oral, and communication skills. Additionally, both in-state and out-of-state travel is required throughout the year. 
Learn more about University Advancement here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the MSU Careers website for more information. Applications require a resume and cover letter and should be submitted by January 2nd.

Job of the Week: Executive Assistant and Administrative Coordinator for MSU Human Resources

Published on by Abigail Miller1 Comment

Come work with us! This week, we are featuring a job posting as an Executive Assistant and Administration Coordinator for the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at MSU Human Resources (job posting 1002586). If you are looking to make a true difference in the day-to-day lives of MSU employees and serve as a critical resource for the Vice President and MSU Human Resources, this may be the role for you.

At MSU Human Resources, our mission is to provide strategic human resources expertise, counsel, support, and services for the MSU community. We have a firm commitment to serve the university with thoughtfulness and professionalism. The person in this position will support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in every aspect and responsibility associated with the job.

In this position, you will manage an extremely active calendar of appointments and ensure the Vice President’s schedule is followed and respected. You will create win-win situations for effective time management, implement improvements to enhance operations, arrange complex and detailed travel plans, and coordinate hiring, onboarding, and other HR duties for the Vice President and other HR executives. Additionally, you will oversee departmental parking, badge access, key distribution, and space allocation requests. View the job listing for a more complete list of job duties.

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a bachelor’s degree and 5 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. You should have a comprehensive customer service background, with significant experience in providing administrative support. Experience in maintaining account ledgers, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation and editing software is desired. You will thrive in this role if you have proficiency in Microsoft editing software, strong organizational and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, the ability to maintain relationships in the workplace, commitment to the organization’s mission and values, and the ability to handle confidential information.. 

Learn more about MSU Human Resources Here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume and cover letter, and should be submitted by December 3rd. 

Take Action Now to Reduce End of Year Stress

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

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 allowing worry to grow uninhibited can lead to a number of 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 cancelations. 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 on 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 “well-being of staff, faculty, and postdoctoral research associates at MSU, focusing on creating a best-in-class workplace culture and 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. 

Spartan Resilience Programs  |  Spartan Resilience sees to provide opportunities for any Spartan, anywhere to develop (or strengthen) the skills needed to effectively respond to their unique collection of challenges. Courses include Informal Mindfulness, Developing Emotional Resilience, Navigating Hard Times with Empathy and Self-Compassion, and much more. 

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

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  | Free, confidential counseling for all faculty, staff, retirees, graduate student employees, and their families. 

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

Job of The Week: Overnight Emergency Veterinary Clinic Receptionist

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Overnight Emergency Clinic Receptionist for the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine (1003806). If you are interested in working the front desk and assisting clients and their pets, this may be the role for you. 

The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine prides itself on diversity, innovation, integrity, compassion, and collaboration. Their vision states, “Together we will be the destination for teaching, innovation, care, and service,” with a mission of learning, discovering, healing, and protecting. 

In this position, you will be greeting and directing clients at the reception desk, creating, reviewing, and updating electronic client and health records, and organizing appointments in the electronic scheduling system. You will also collect payments at the time of the patient’s discharge and be responsible for accurately logging the payments into electronic records. You should be prepared to work 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shifts as this is an overnight position. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a high school diploma, one year of customer service experience, and related/progressively more expansive work in a medical office, clinic, or mental health office. You should have excellent communication and computer skills, as well as grammar and spelling. You must be able to work in a fast-paced work environment and have proven empathy skills. 

Learn more about the College of Veterinary Medicine Here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume and cover letter, and should be submitted by November 19th.

several gifts in various wrapping papers and ribbons sitting on a red platform.

Don’t Forget Your MSU Employee Discounts this Holiday Season!

Published on by Josh WorleyLeave a comment

As a benefits-eligible MSU employee, you can access various discounts and savings to help you make the most of the holiday season. On the MSU Benefits Plus website, you will find special offers on products such as electronics, toys, and more!

To access all the discounts, visit the MSU Benefits Plus website, enter your MSU email, click Get Started, and enter your password. First-time users will need to create a new account using the link below the login fields. You will need your MSU ZPID number for the form, which is located on your MSU Spartan ID Card or in the EBS Portal.

The following are a few of the deals you will find (please note these discounts are frequently updated):

  • Apple: Save with employee pricing on iPhones, iMacs, and more.
  • Chordify: Up to 60% off music lessons with a Chordify Premium yearly subscription.
  • Crocs: $20 off orders of $100 or more in shoes and accessories. Use code CROCS20 at checkout.
  • Dell: Exclusive member pricing on all PCs, electronics, and accessories.
  • Garmin: 20% off list price on wearables and smartwatches.
  • GE Appliance Store: 30% and more off MSRP on select appliances. Use code COREEXT21.
  • Great Wolf Lodge: Save up to 30% year-round. Use code CORESTREAM when booking.
  • HP: Up to 40% off computers and accessories.
  • Kiwi Crate: Receive 30% off your first month on this kids’ educational subscription box featuring fun STEM-based projects.
  • PremiumSeatsUSA.com: Save 10% with promo code CORESTREAM.
  • Restaurants.com: 20% off all certificates.
  • Rosetta Stone: Get a Lifetime Subscription with Unlimited Languages for $149 (normally $299).
  • Tiqets: Save over 40% on top museums, zoos, aquariums, theme parks and more.
  • Wharton Center: Save 10-15% on select performances.

The HR website also offers other deals you can find around the university through the MSU Tech Store, MSU Bakers, and the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, among others. For more information on discounts through MSU Benefits Plus, visit the HR website. If you have any questions about the discounts, please call MSU Benefits Plus at 888-758-7575.

Job of the Week: Veterinary Surgery Nurse

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as Surgery Nurse for the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine (job posting 998848). If you are passionate about providing patient care for ill and injured animals and interested in working in the Surgery unit of the Veterinary Medical Center (VMC), this may be the role for you! 

The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine prides itself on diversity, innovation, integrity, compassion, and collaboration. Their vision states, “Together we will be the destination for teaching, innovation, care, and service,” with a mission of learning, discovering, healing, and protecting. 

In this position, you will be responsible for patient care of injured and sick animals primarily in the Small Animal Unit of the VMC. You will occasionally work in the Large Animal Unit, Anesthesia Support Center, and Emergency and Critical Care as well. This role instructs and demonstrates techniques, skills, cleanliness, and more to students, assistant students, and clinicians within the VMC. This job entails afternoon and evening shifts, as well as weekend shifts with overtime if necessary. Physical tasks include the ability to lift medical equipment and animals into cages, push gurneys and carts containing animals and equipment, climb stairs carrying lab equipment, and restrain animals. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include two to three years of college, technical, or vocational schooling in Veterinary Technology, six months to one year of related or more responsible work in the realm of extensive patient care, surgery, anesthesia, sterilization, and drug-dosing. You should also have experience and knowledge in spreadsheets and other word processing software and past work in a veterinary research setting. You must be licensed as a Veterinary Technician with the state of Michigan within one year from your date of hire. 

Learn more about the College of Veterinary Medicine on their website. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume, cover letter, and three professional references and should be submitted by November 5th!

SafePlace Operations Coordinator

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Operations Coordinator for MSU Safe Place, a division of University Health and Wellbeing (job posting 997270). If you are interested in supporting the Center for Survivors and maintaining the legal responsibilities of this important job, this may be the position for you!

The Michigan State University Center for Survivors provides free and confidential group and individual counseling to MSU Students who are survivors of sexual assault and abuse. The Center for Survivors stands with survivors against all forms of social injustice through empowerment and an inclusive community, priding itself on integrity, compassion, and collaboration. 

In this role, you will carry out day-to-day operations at the Center for Survivors Safe Place shelter and provide a clean, safe and supportive environment for those who are or have experienced violence. This role does have ethical and legal responsibilities as you must protect client confidentiality, and you will work under guidelines provided by Michigan State University and the state of Michigan, as well as VOCA. You will coordinate community donations, support residential clients with transportation and basic needs, oversee food and inventory supply, and participate in a shared case management system that supports collaboration and consultation with clients. In addition, you will coordinate with UHW Safety and Operations to ensure the physical shelter is up to date on fire drills, routine inspections, sanitation, emergency procedures and more. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include an associate’s degree in any business-related field, one to three years of related work experience, and basic knowledge of computer terminology and operations. You should also have previous training experience with the dynamic of intimate partner violence and its effect on children, as well as experience in a 24-hour residential job setting. Physical demands include the ability to lift and push/pull 5-40lbs, work onsite, shovel snow and salt walkways, travel throughout the community, and work 24-hour shifts.
Learn more about the Center for Survivors here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume and a cover letter and should be submitted by October 29th.

Job of The Week: Accounting Clerk

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Accounting Clerk for the College of Education in the Department of Teacher Education (job posting 994967). If you are interested in supporting the Fiscal Office and a College with five education programs ranked number one in U.S. News and World Report, this may be the position for you! 

The MSU College of Education’s mission is planted in Leadership, Scholarship and Service. They strive to develop and implement excellence in the community, and strive to sustain the college as a scholarly space for the community, staff, and students. Focusing heavily on information education reform and policy in schools all around, the College of Education is constantly pushing to better the preparation of educators. 

In this position, you will initiate payments to outside vendors and students via disbursement vouchers, fellowships, and other items needed for transactions. You will also support faculty, graduate students and their associates by coordinating and managing all travel requests and expense reports. In this role, you would maintain monthly procurement card transactions and manage account files, keeping track of their most relevant information. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a high school education, and one to three years of progressively more expansive work in accounting, bookkeeping, and database software. You will also be expected to attend necessary courses to maintain certifications and enhance the work environment while in this role. You should also have excellent communication, customer service, and multi-tasking skills, and be knowledgeable in software such as Excel, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat Professional, and more. 

Learn more about the College of Education here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications should be submitted by October 22nd!