myHR Archives
myHR: August 10, 2016
Retirement Savings Refresher
Remember what you learned about Penn’s retirement savings benefits during your orientation? Do you know which selections you made when you enrolled? If those memories are a bit hazy, here’s a quick refresher.
Checking Your Plans
Log on to Penn’s Retirement web portal to enroll in plans, view a summary of your contribution choices, or make changes online at any time. Or contact Penn’s Retirement Call Center at 1-877-736-6738 Monday–Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Saving for Retirement VideoNow there’s an online video version of the Saving for Retirement presentation from Penn’s New Staff Orientation program. Watch it for a brief overview of Penn’s plans. |
The Basic Plan
Under the Basic Plan, the University automatically makes a contribution to a retirement savings account on your behalf as soon as you are eligible. Once you’re eligible, you don’t have to do anything to receive these contributions.
The Matching Plan
Penn’s popular Matching Plan lets eligible employees save up to 5% of their standard gross pay. The University matches contributions to this plan dollar-for-dollar (after you complete the one-year waiting period).
If you haven’t enrolled in the Matching Plan, do it now! Don’t miss out on serious money.
The Supplemental Plan
If you’re already contributing the maximum 5% to the Matching Plan, you can make additional monthly contributions to the Supplemental Plan. The Supplemental Plan is also available for those who are ineligible for the Matching Plan.
Plan Details
More information, including details about plan eligibility, is available at Penn’s Retirement Plans website.
Each plan allows you to choose from investment funds at TIAA and Vanguard. Make contributions to the Matching or Supplemental Plan via payroll deduction, and your saving will automatically be deposited in your TIAA or Vanguard account.
On-Campus Retirement Counseling Sessions
For personalized guidance, TIAA and Vanguard offer free counseling sessions on campus to help you with your investment choices. You can schedule an appointment online or via telephone at:
TIAA Vanguard
www.tiaa.org/moc www.meetvanguard.com
800-732-8353 800-662-0106 ext. 14500
Email and Telephone Scam Alert
The University of Pennsylvania urges Penn faculty and staff to be aware of fraudulent email messages or telephone scams seeking your personal information. Several attempts have impacted our community recently. Your awareness is key in protecting yourself from fraud.
Payroll Advice and Salary Increase Email Scams
Fraudulent emails have been circulating throughout the Schools and Centers disguised as official Penn Human Resources or Payroll office communications about salary increases or on-line pay advices. These emails contain links requesting personal information such as your Social Security number, or PennKey and password.
If you receive this type of email, please disregard it and delete it immediately. This email did not come from Human Resources or the Payroll Department. It is a “phishing” email designed to steal your personal information. Penn will never ask for your Social Security number in an email.
While these recent “phishing” emails have focused on salary increase and payroll advice, fraudulent emails can take many forms. Here are some steps to help protect yourself:
- Be wary of emails with strong warnings or threats that create a sense of urgency or alarm, or sound too good to be true.
- If you are unsure whether an email is legitimate, do not click a link, open an attachment, or respond.Contact your Local Support Provider (LSP) for assistance (LSP contact information at https://www.isc.upenn.edu/get-it-help).
If you believe you have mistakenly clicked a malicious link or shared private information, immediately change your email and PennKey passwords, contact your LSP and notify Penn’s Office of Information Security by emailing security@isc.upenn.edu.
IRS Phone Scam
Some students and staff, predominantly nonresident aliens, have received threatening phone calls from people claiming to work for the IRS. These people may demand money and try to trick you into sharing private information. These phone calls are scams. Hang up on these callers immediately.
The IRS will never:
- Call to demand immediate payment or call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill or giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
- Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- Threaten to contact the police or other law enforcement to have you arrested for not paying.
For more information about these scams, visit: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/another-tax-scam-irs-imposters. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Tax and Internal Operations office at doftaxoper@pobox.upenn.edu.
Expand Your Network with Knowledge Exchanges
If you’ve participated in either the STEP UP or Essentials of Management leadership programs, then you know the importance of a professional network. A network that includes your peers at Penn is especially valuable. Your colleagues’ perspectives and experiences at Penn and elsewhere can help you successfully navigate new responsibilities and challenges. Thanks to Knowledge Exchange brown bags, tapping into the power of that Penn network is easier than ever.
Knowledge Exchanges offer STEP UP and Essentials of Management graduates the chance to reconnect with members of their cohort and meet participants from other sessions. Current participants in these leadership series may also attend.
Knowledge Exchanges are one part professional development, one part networking. Do you want to strengthen your team? Would you like feedback on a project you’re developing? Are you ready for the next career challenge? Whatever the topic, your Penn colleagues can offer insight and encouragement. In turn, your perspective may be just what someone else needs to solve a problem. At the same time, you’ll meet others from across the University and learn more about what’s happening in their schools, centers, and departments.
Register now for an upcoming Knowledge Exchange. Scheduled sessions include:
| Essentials of Management | STEP UP |
| August 18, 12:30-1:30 | November 11, 12:30-1:30 |
| November 9, 12:30-1:30 |
Knowledge Exchanges will be held quarterly, so if you miss the August session, plan to attend in November. You must be currently enrolled in or have completed the course series to attend. Contact Learning & Education at 215-898-3400 for more information.
Healthy Meals: Summer Veggie Pasta
Fresh summer vegetables are the star of this light and easy meal.
Did You Know? Automated Email Job Alert
Simplify your internal job search with job alerts from Penn Human Resources. Visit www.hr.upenn.edu/jobalert to sign up and receive an automated email whenever new positions matching your criteria are posted.
Be in the Know Prize Drawing Winners
Congratulations to the latest Be in the Know wellness campaign drawing winners--Anthony Erz, Athletics & Recreation, and Lucille Caulfield, Division of Geriatric Medicine. They qualified for the drawing by earning 100 Bonus Action points.
First prize winner, Anthony, received an iPad Air 2! Second prize winner, Lucille, received a yoga workout tote complete with a mat and numerous workout accessories.
By the way, August 31 is the final day to complete the Be in the Know Online Health Assessment and Bonus Actions for the current campaign year.
There will be one more prize drawing this September for participants with 100 Bonus Action points. In addition, all returning Be in the Know participants are eligible for another prize drawing next month.
Be in the Know 2016-2017 will begin in the fall. Visit www.hr.upenn.edu/beintheknow for updates.
