myHR Archives
myHR: August 26, 2026
Upcoming Retirement Information Sessions Make Planning Easier
Is your upcoming retirement on your mind? To help you prepare for the next phase of your life, Penn will host the next series of Thinking About Retirement webinars in October.
Specially designed for Penn staff and faculty, Thinking About Retirement offers three different information sessions, each covering an important aspect of retirement benefits. You can register for any of the sessions by selecting the links below.
Thinking About Retirement, Fall 2026 Sessions
| Set Your Retirement Date | Penn Retiree Benefits and Medicare |
Social Security Benefits Planning |
| October 8, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | October 13, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | October 20, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. |
At Set Your Retirement Date, a TIAA retirement plan counselor will discuss such topics as budgeting in retirement, income options, and investments to help you get the most out of your 403(b) retirement savings plan.
At the Penn Retiree Benefits and Medicare session, representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), along with Benefits specialists from Human Resources, will explain the Rule of 75, retiree healthcare options, and how they integrate with Medicare.
At Social Security Benefits Planning, a representative from TIAA will share valuable details about how this program impacts your plans for retirement. You will also get an overview of Social Security benefits, eligibility rules, how to apply, benefits for your spouse, and more.
Benefits specialists from Human Resources will be available at each online session to answer your questions via chat about Penn’s retirement savings plans, health care benefits, and other aspects of retiree benefits for you and your dependents.
For more details and resources, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/thinkretirement.
Partnering to Strengthen Well-being
What if creating a healthier workplace started with a simple conversation, a shared wellness tip, or an invitation to take a quick walk with a colleague? Across Penn, employees are already supporting one another in meaningful ways, and now the Penn Healthy You (PHY) – Where Wellness Begins program is creating even more opportunities to turn those everyday moments into a campus-wide culture of well-being.
Through two new Penn Healthy You partnerships – the Wellness Champions Network and the PHY Teams channel – benefits-eligible staff, faculty, and postdocs can work with the PHY team to help make wellness more visible, accessible, and engaging across campus.
These features are new additions to the 2026-2027 Penn Healthy You program, which launched July 1 and offers Resources, Rewards, and Partnerships. One of the featured resources is the Penn Healthy You wellness platform, powered by WebMD, with its variety of online programs, tools, and health coaching to support your well-being. WebMD also administers the PHY annual rewards campaign, where enrolled participants can earn up to $300 in cash rewards by completing eligible wellness activities from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Be a Wellness Champion
The Wellness Champions Network introduces a volunteer leadership opportunity for those who are passionate about creating a healthy, connected, and supportive workplace. Wellness Champions serve as trusted ambassadors who connect colleagues with Penn Healthy You and additional health and well-being benefits, resources, programs, events, and the annual rewards campaign.
Whether you're interested in physical health, mental well-being, work-life balance, financial wellness, or simply helping colleagues feel more connected, we encourage you to fill out the application to join the network. No wellness expertise is required; just bring your enthusiasm. Deadline to apply is Tuesday, September 8.
The Wellness Champion role is a 10-month commitment for the inaugural year and runs from September 2026 through June 2027. Participants are expected to devote about three to four hours per month to the role.
As a Wellness Champion, you will be asked to attend monthly meetings and receive training, tools, and ongoing support from the PHY team to:
- Share wellness resources, events, and opportunities with colleagues.
- Encourage participation in programs that support all dimensions of well-being.
- Create simple, fun wellness activities and opportunities for connection within your departments.
- Gather feedback and ideas that help shape future wellness initiatives.
- Serve as a key link between your department and the PHY team.
Beyond supporting colleagues, Wellness Champions will also have opportunities to:
- Develop leadership, communication, and employee engagement skills.
- Expand your professional network across Penn.
- Receive early access to wellness resources, updates, and initiatives.
- Contribute to meaningful efforts that support employee well-being.
- Be recognized as a wellness advocate within your department and across the University.
By creating this partnership, Wellness Champions help ensure that wellness efforts are informed by employee needs while expanding awareness of valuable resources available across the University.
A Hub for Healthy Living
The Wellness Champions Network is just one part of Penn Healthy You's commitment to building stronger connections across the University. The PHY Teams channel serves as a central hub where you can stay informed, engaged, and connected to wellness resources throughout the year.
The channel promotes the PHY program and annual wellness campaign while providing easy access to wellness events, resources, updates, and well-being opportunities. You can also find helpful reminders throughout the workday, including screen breaks, stretch breaks, and guided breathing sessions designed to support healthy habits and re-energize.
To share information and connect with your colleagues, simply go to the PHY Teams channel.
Together, the Wellness Champions Network and the Penn Healthy You Teams channel create a powerful partnership for employee well-being. By working together, these initiatives help strengthen connections, encourage participation, and build a healthier, more supportive Penn community.
So, don’t wait! Join now and become the connection that brings wellness to life in your department and across the University.
For more information about Penn Healthy You, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/pennhealthyyou.
Commuter Updates
This month brings two updates for Penn campus commuters--new names for a familiar on-campus bus service and a PennDOT bridge closure on Market Street.
New Names for Penn Bus Routes
Penn Transit Services rebranded its four weekday campus bus routes, replacing directional labels with color-coded names that reflect the corridors and destinations each route serves.
- Penn Bus West is now the Baltimore/Spruce Loop.
- Penn Bus East is now the Rittenhouse Square Loop.
- Penn Bus North is now the Powelton/Spruce Loop.
- The Pennovation Works route is now the Pennovation Works Day Loop.
Penn Bus rides are always free with a valid PennCard.
For route maps and schedules, visit https://transportation.upenn.edu/penn-buses.
Market Street Bridge Closure
On Monday, August 24 PennDOT closed the Market Street Bridge to vehicle traffic as part of a major infrastructure renovation project. The closure is expected to continue through October 2027 and will significantly alter local traffic patterns in and around University City. Faculty and staff who commute to campus should anticipate increased congestion, longer travel times, and periodic traffic pattern changes throughout the construction.
The University recognizes that a project of this duration may affect your daily commute and appreciate the flexibility it may require. Penn is committed to providing timely information and resources to help you navigate the disruption.
Planning Your Commute
We encourage you to:
- Allow additional travel time, particularly during peak commuting hours.
- Consider alternative transportation options, including SEPTA.
- Check traffic and transit conditions before traveling to campus.
- Stay informed about roadway and transportation updates throughout the project.
Transportation Resources
Penn offers several resources to support your commute during the bridge closure:
- SEPTA provides multiple transit options serving University City. Please note that some SEPTA-connected services, including the LUCY® (Gold and Green Loops through University City), may experience changes during construction.
- Penn Transit bus routes will continue to operate as scheduled throughout the bridge closure.
- Penn’s Transportation, Parking and Commuting website offers valuable information on Penn Transit routes, parking, and sustainable commuter benefits.
- The PennTransit Mobile app serves as a convenient tool to connect you with these resources.
To stay informed about street closures and transportation updates on traffic conditions in the area, we encourage you to subscribe to the Division of Public Safety’s Traffic Advisories.
For additional information about the Market Street Bridge renovation, please visit the PennDOT project website.
We appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding as PennDOT undertakes this vital infrastructure improvement.
Elevate Your Career with STEP UP
If you’re looking to advance your career at Penn, the eight-course STEP UP program can help you progress to the next level. STEP UP – short for Self-management, Teaming, Empowerment, and Professionalism at the University of Pennsylvania – is designed for motivated staff members at any level who want to build the skills needed to lead themselves and others.
Through facilitated virtual classroom sessions and e-learning modules, participants build practical skills they can apply in their day-to-day work while engaging with colleagues from across the University.
The initial session in the series, STEP UP Introduction: First Steps to Excellence, takes place September 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration closes on September 2.
“STEP-UP is a flexible leadership development opportunity for folks throughout Penn to experience a space dedicated to their self-reflection on the different dimensions of their work: organizing their workflow, what role they and others play in teams, understanding how they communicate and in turn how they can tailor their communication, and much more,” said Talent and Organizational Development Consultant Manroocha Singh.
Singh will be leading some of the individual sessions along with Talent and Organizational Development Consultant Sam Lunney.
Real Conversations, Real Moments
The program explores topics including communication, teamwork, managing change, relationship building, community engagement, and getting work done effectively. Guided by Gallup Clifton Strengths as a foundation for self-awareness and development, participants reflect on their strengths, communication styles, and approaches to working with others while developing a more intentional and adaptive mindset toward leadership and professional growth.
The STEP UP schedule is designed to offer flexibility while maintaining a structured learning experience. Participants begin with the first two modules before moving on to the remaining core modules. The core modules can be completed in the order and timeline that best fit their schedule, including across future cycles if needed. Once all eight modules have been completed, participants are eligible to enroll in the Finale session.
“One of the most compelling parts about the STEP-UP program is the way participants have the dedicated opportunity to self-reflect, reflect in small groups, and debrief with the larger class about these core work topics,” said Singh. “These different reflection opportunities offer all types of learners the space to use self-assessment data and anecdotes from their work experience to grow as an employee at Penn.”
STEP UP Introduction participants must complete prework before attending the virtual class:
- The online Gallup StrengthsFinder assessment. You will receive an email approximately two weeks before the Introduction session with detailed instructions on how to complete the assessment.
- The STEP UP Introduction: First Steps to Excellence e-learning module.
- The pre-work activities and attachments in the e-learning module.
Register today on Workday Learning to participate in the program. Supervisor approval is required, and your department will be charged $300 for the entire program. For a limited time, Penn Talent Development is offering departments the opportunity to enroll two employees at $300 each with a third enrolled for free.
If you have questions about STEP UP, contact Human Resources at 215-898-3400 or email Sam Lunney at lunney1@upenn.edu. For more professional development resources, visit the Learn & Grow section of the Human Resources website.
Enhanced Public Service Loan Forgiveness Guidance
As part of Penn’s commitment to help employees navigate federal student loan repayment and forgiveness programs, the University has selected Savi as its Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) navigation service provider to enhance these resources for you.
PSLF is a federal program that may forgive the remaining balance of eligible federal student loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. As a nonprofit institution, the University of Pennsylvania is generally considered a qualifying employer for PSLF purposes.
Benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars have access to Savi’s expanded subject matter expertise in navigating the complex student loan regulatory environment. Family members can also use self-directed support and services with an option to upgrade for a fee.
Savi offers integration with TIAA, Penn’s retirement plan administrator, allowing employees to align student loan repayment and retirement planning as part of a broader financial wellness strategy.
Savi is a recognized leader in providing comprehensive PSLF services not only to Penn but to several peer institutions, including Harvard, Columbia, and Yale.
How to Set Up a Savi Account
Call: 833-945-0654 to receive help in setting up your Savi account.Visit: www.hr.upenn.edu/savi to create an account and work one-on-one with Savi student loan experts.
Learn More at the September Savi Webinar
On Tuesday, September 15, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. for Introducing Savi to Help Navigate Student Loan Repayment and Forgiveness.
Here’s a comment from one employee who attended a Savi webinar this summer:
I really appreciated the detailed description of the new PSLF loan forgiveness program. I was nervous regarding the changeover, but this made me feel better + more benefits + family access!
For more information, visit the Human Resources Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness webpage.
For Former PeopleJoy Users
This summer, Penn contacted employees who were already managing the PSLF process with its former service provider, PeopleJoy. We recognize that these employees, especially those who are approaching their 120th qualifying PSLF payment, may still have questions about this transition. Please be assured that the change in service providers will not affect your progress toward loan forgiveness.
- Your qualifying payment count and your certified employment history are held by the U.S. Department of Education and your federal loan servicer, not by any benefits platform.
- PeopleJoy helped you manage that record; it never held it. So, when PeopleJoy access ended in July, nothing was reset and no progress was lost.
- Savi picks up right where you left off and does everything PeopleJoy did and more: auto-filling and submitting your PSLF form, tracking and verifying your count, and connecting you with student loan experts who can resolve any discrepancy.
- If you are close to forgiveness, this is exactly what Savi is built for. Log in to Savi to verify your count and confirm your eligibility date, and reach out anytime with questions.
- Remember to update your email address on record with your loan servicer and on the studentaid.gov webpage if you used a PeopleJoy associated email address.
If you have questions about Penn's student loan guidance benefits, please contact the Penn Employee Solution Center at solutioncenter@upenn.edu.
Healthy Meals: Chicken and Peach Honey Lime Skewers
Elevate your summer grilling with these vibrant Chicken and Peach Honey Lime Skewers, brought to you by Ramp Health. Juicy chicken breast pairs with ripe peach wedges for a sweet and savory experience. Marinated in a bright blend of fresh lime juice, rich honey, olive oil, and savory garlic powder, each bite bursts with caramelized flavor. This quick, zesty dish brings a refreshing twist to weeknight dinners or backyard barbecues.
Click here to send us your healthy recipes and tips.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 2 ripe but firm peaches, cut into wedges or chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/2-teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Wooden or metal skewers
Directions
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 15 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk olive oil, honey, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken and peaches to the bowl and toss to coat. Let sit 10 to 15 minutes.
- Thread chicken and peaches onto skewers, alternating pieces.
- Grill over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Serve with a simple side salad or grilled vegetables.
Meet With a Registered Dietitian Today!
- One-on-one, virtual sessions you can schedule at any time that works for you
- 100% covered under many insurance plans
- Available to spouses and dependents
- Fill out the Ramp Health Nutrition Counseling Sign Up Form or call 800-484-7720.
Did You Know: Roth Retirement Account Changes Reminder
If you are age 50 or older and earned more than $150,000 in the previous calendar year, the IRS requires any catch-up contributions to Penn’s Matching and Supplemental Retirement Annuity Plans to be made on a Roth (after-tax) basis. Under SECURE Act 2.0, these contributions may be automatically designated as Roth through payroll. No action is required if you accept this Roth treatment. If you do not wish to make Roth catch-up contributions, you may stop them. Learn more in this notice.