{"id":39729,"date":"2024-05-30T08:57:57","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T15:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/?page_id=39729"},"modified":"2026-04-22T14:37:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T21:37:35","slug":"benefits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/benefits-briefing\/benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-d117f309\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-3da123a4\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-c5c6ca4d\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-c5c6ca4d\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-ad5cabfe\">\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Benefits<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-fa95fdb4\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-ddd0f88f gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/benefits-briefing\/benefits\/insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>INSURANCE<\/strong><\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-21c1fb6c gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/leave-and-time-off\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>LEAVE &amp; TIME OFF<\/strong><\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-eeb13ae9 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/benefits-briefing\/benefits\/retirement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>RETIREMENT<\/strong><\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-c8d8b520 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/benefits-briefing\/benefits\/savings-and-investing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>SAVINGS &amp; INVESTING<\/strong><\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-9969d48a gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/hr-services\/workers-compensation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>WORKER&#8217;S COMPENSATION (L&amp;I)<\/strong><\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1em\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-ewu-medium-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-ewu-medium-gray-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">News and Announcements<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-ewu-medium-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-ewu-medium-gray-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2026\/01\/OSHA-300A-2025-Picture-1024x602.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2026\/01\/OSHA-300A-2025-Picture-1024x602.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2026\/01\/OSHA-300A-2025-Picture-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2026\/01\/OSHA-300A-2025-Picture-768x451.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2026\/01\/OSHA-300A-2025-Picture.jpg 1224w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-7d1e6353\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Questions and Answers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Are you a represented employee who will be making $68,004 a year or less on November 1, 2025?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you meet the criteria, you may receive a $300 Medical FSA contribution from your employer in January 2026. This contribution will&nbsp;<strong>not&nbsp;<\/strong>come out of your paycheck. You will receive it even if you don&#8217;t enroll in the Medical FSA for 2026.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, if you enroll in a CDHP with an HSA or waive PEBB medical coverage (except to enroll as a dependent on another PEBB account), you cannot receive the $300 contribution. This benefit was negotiated by the State of Washington through the Health Care collective bargaining agreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you are found to be eligible for this benefit and enroll in a Medical FSA for 2026, the $300 will be added to your account in January. If you are eligible but do&nbsp;<strong>not&nbsp;<\/strong>enroll in a Medical FSA, Navia Benefit Solutions will open an account for you and send you a welcome letter with a debit card loaded with $300.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you have questions about this employer-paid benefit, please contact your benefits office.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-ewu-medium-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-ewu-medium-gray-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-27dd72a5\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>TIAA Consulting Appointments are Available Virtually or by Phone!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Appointments are available to meet with EWU\u2019s TIAA financial consultant who can help you create a plan or get you started planning for retirement savings.&nbsp; This is a free service to you!&nbsp; Get answers to questions such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Are my investments a right mix to meet retirement goals?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Am I saving enough for retirement?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How will I take income from my account when I stop working?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can schedule an online appointment with a TIAA Financial Consultant.&nbsp; Just click this link&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiaa.org\/public\/support\/contact-us\/consultations-seminars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.tiaa.org\/schedulenow<\/a>&nbsp;choose \u201cYour Employer\u201d then \u201cWashington\u201d then &#8220;Eastern Washington University&#8221; and you will be able to see all of the available dates and times. &nbsp;You can also call 1.800.732.8353 to make an appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These sessions are available to all employees who participate in TIAA as a retirement plan or through the Voluntary Investment Plan.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-ewu-medium-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-ewu-medium-gray-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-ewu-medium-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-ewu-medium-gray-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-e294ae0a\">\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-b39eeaef gb-headline-text\"><strong>SmartHealth Wellness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>SmartHealth is Washington State\u2019s voluntary wellness program that&nbsp;supports you on your journey toward living well.&nbsp; As you progress on your wellness journey, you can also qualify for rewards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The assessment only takes about 15 minutes, personalizes your SmartHealth experience, and is the first step toward qualifying for the $125 wellness incentive.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hca.wa.gov\/public-employee-benefits\/smarthealth-wellness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about SmartHealth for details.<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-ewu-medium-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-ewu-medium-gray-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-9b2c1561\">\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-b4c21c6f gb-headline-text\">Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) Live Webinars!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>New! Live retirement webinars for DRS members and DCP participants. See&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/drs.trumba.com\/member-webinars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">available webinars.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find out more about your retirement plan and benefits at a time and place that is convenient for you. Webinar topics include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Plan 2 or Plan 3 resources and questions about which plan is right for you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The fundamentals of your retirement plan: Contributions, benefits, investment selections (Plan 3), retirement requirements and options.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How DCP can help you save more for retirement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AND MUCH MORE!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drs.wa.gov\/webinars\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Featured webinars<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Washington State Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DCP Distributions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plan Choice (Plan 2 or Plan 3)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plan 2: PERS, TRS, SERS<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plan 2: LEOFF, WSPRS, PSERS<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plan 3: PERS, TRS, SERS<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plan 3 Distributions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Purchasing an Additional Benefit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early Retirement (PERS, SERS, TRS)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Getting Ready for Retirement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applying for Retirement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Benefit Payment Options at Retirement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Returning to Work After Retirement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nearing Retirement Seminar (webinar version)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medicare (guest speaker from SHIBA)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Please see the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drs.wa.gov\/webinars\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">webinar schedule<\/a>&nbsp;for the link to join the webinar, and to review the full webinar schedule for additional webinars, dates and times.&nbsp; It is recommended that you log into the webinar 10-15 minutes in advance to test connection and sound. Please review&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/support.zoom.us\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/115004954946-Joining-and-participating-in-a-webinar-attendee-\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to join a DRS Webinar<\/a>&nbsp;for tips on accessing the webinar, audio, and sending questions. For login or audio assistance, please call 360.664.7930. Please be aware the audio comes through your computer so you\u2019ll need speakers or a headset.&nbsp; The webinars are not recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unable to attend a webinar? While the webinars are not recorded, many of the topics are available in the video library by scrolling the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/user32359536\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">video page<\/a>&nbsp;of the DRS website.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1em\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-ewu-medium-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-ewu-medium-gray-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Important health care information regarding Premium Assistance under Medicaid and the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Washington Apple Health for Adults and Children<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1em\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-43c5a724\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-043410a5\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-043410a5\">\n<div class=\"gb-button-wrapper gb-button-wrapper-874bf95c\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-7526f5bc gb-button-text smooth-scroll\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/12\/2026-Premium-Assistance-Under-Medicaid-and-the-Childrens-Health-Insurance-Program-CHIP.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Premium Assistance under Medicaid and the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-d318b2e2\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-d318b2e2\">\n<div class=\"gb-button-wrapper gb-button-wrapper-4b98e8f5\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-93506cdb gb-button-text smooth-scroll\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/12\/2026-WA-Apple-Health-Notice.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Washington Apple Health for Adults and Children<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1em\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-ewu-medium-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-ewu-medium-gray-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-175b4294\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-f9905010\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-b742f8cf\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-b742f8cf\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Events<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Open Enrollment 2026<\/strong> &#8211; Late October into Mid November<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-e464dc82\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-e464dc82\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Retirement Outlook Newsletter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drs.wa.gov\/outlook-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Current Issue<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1em\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Benefits and Programs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1em\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-409643e6\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-131d1cb5\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-131d1cb5\">\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/eap.wa.gov\/employees-their-families\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WA State Employee Assistance Program (EAP)&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>EAP Code:&nbsp; EWU<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.esd.wa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Unemployment Compensation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hca.wa.gov\/about-hca\/prescription-drug-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WA Prescription Drug Program (WPDP)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insurance.wa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-69ff3ba2\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-69ff3ba2\">\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hca.wa.gov\/employee-retiree-benefits\/public-employees\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Health Care Authority PEBB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.drs.wa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiaa.org\/public\/tcm\/ewu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TIAA<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1em\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>318 Showalter Hall<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>email:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:benefits@ewu.edu\">benefits@ewu.edu<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>phone:&nbsp;<a href=\"tel:509-359-2488\">509.359.2488<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>fax: 509.359.2874<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>News and Announcements Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement Questions and Answers Are you a represented employee who will be making $68,004 a year or less on November 1, 2025? TIAA Consulting Appointments are Available Virtually or by Phone! Appointments are available to meet with EWU\u2019s TIAA financial consultant who can help you create a plan or &#8230; <a title=\"Benefits Overview\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/benefits-briefing\/benefits\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Benefits Overview\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22145,"featured_media":0,"parent":12471,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":[],"_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"wpo365_audiences":[],"wpo365_private":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-39729","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39729"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22145"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39729"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39729\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40603,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39729\/revisions\/40603"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12471"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}