Category Archives: HR Information

Mark Your Calendars for the TIAA Roth Presentation on Nov. 22nd

Drake added a Roth contribution option to its Voluntary Retirement Plan effective June 1, 2024.  This option allows eligible employees to make after-tax contributions that offer the potential for tax-free income in retirement.

To learn more about the Voluntary Roth contribution option, please plan to attend this presentation provided by TIAA Financial Consultant, Ricardo Diaz.

Date: Nov. 22

Time: 10-11 am

Location: CR 312, Olmsted Center

Ricardo Diaz will conduct in-person counseling sessions Nov. 22nd and Dec. 13th. Reserve an appointment or call 800-732-8353. To schedule a virtual counseling session, you may call 319-356-8042 or email ricardo.diaz@tiaa.org.

Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Don’t forget to turn in your Premium Discount – Annual Physical Form by Dec. 2

If you are on Drake’s health plan and have not turned in your Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form – time is running out.  This is an annual requirement to receive a wellness premium discount – a savings of approximately $34 per month.

As a reminder, employees on Drake’s health plan need to complete a physical with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2024, and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form by Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2025.

If you had your physical since Dec. 1, 2023, please fill out the form and turn it in now. If you haven’t scheduled your annual physical yet with in-network provider, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  If you cannot get into your provider, you are welcome to contact Broadlawns Medical Center on University – across the street from the Drake campus – to inquire about their availability prior to Nov. 30.  Be sure to let them know you are from Drake and bring a copy of the physical form with you.

You can read more about the discount program and download the physical form for 2025 on the Wellness Premium Discount webpage.

Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is an important way to receive health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship.

Please email linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Unique Opportunity to Elect Supplemental Life Insurance through Open Enrollment

Drake University’s Open Enrollment will be held from November 1 – December 2, 2024.  During this time, eligible employees have an opportunity to make benefit changes for the upcoming Plan Year.

Full-time employees have a unique opportunity to elect supplemental life insurance for themselves, spouses/partners, and dependent children. Drake University’s new partnership with The Hartford will provide benefit eligible employees an opportunity to purchase additional life insurance coverage in $25,000 increments up to $400,000 without providing proof of good health, during the open enrollment period.

The Hartford is providing a similar opportunity to purchase supplemental coverage for eligible dependents during the open enrollment period. Full-time employees may purchase coverage in $10,000 increments up to $100,000 (up to 50% of the employee elected amount) for their spouse/partners, as well as coverage in $2,500 increments (up to $10,000) for children up to age 26, without providing proof of good health.

This is a unique opportunity for full-time employees to purchase additional coverage beyond the Drake-sponsored basic life insurance benefit. It provides a wonderful opportunity to provide additional financial support for employees and their families in the event of a death.

If you have questions about Drake benefits, we encourage you to join us Friday, November 15th from 10:00 – 11:30 am in Room 313, Olmsted Center. Wellmark, HealthEquity and The Hartford vendors will be present to answer your questions. For additional information about Drake’s insurance benefits, click here.

As a reminder, this opportunity will only be made available during the current open enrollment period. All benefit elections for the 2025 Plan Year must be made in the Benefits Portal in myDrake no later than 11:59 p.m. on December 2, 2024.

Debra Wiley, Human Resources