Here you can explore all your benefit options as an Eastern Illinois University employee. Our employees are provided with a vast array of benefits including: group health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, supplemental retirement plans, and tuition waivers.
We encourage our employees to be in control of their benefits. Employees can sign up and access their benefits at MyBenefits.
As the Benefits Staff, we are committed to providing excellent service to our employees. If you have any questions, please contact us via email at benefits@eiu.edu or call 217-581-5825.
Your annual opportunity to select the best benefits for you and your family is during the Benefits Choice Period beginning May 1st through May 31st. All changes made during this time will go into effect July 1st.
What is Changing?
Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP)
The MCAP maximum contribution amount will be $2,700 for the FY20 plan year with a $500 maximum rollover. Employees must re-enroll in MCAP for the new plan year in order to qualify for the rollover.
What is Not Changing?
There will be no changes to your health plan options this Benefits Choice Period. If you wish to keep your coverage, no action is needed unless you intend to enroll or re-enroll in a Flexible Spending Account. If you wish to change your plan, carrier, or re-enroll in a Flexible Spending Account, go online at MyBenefits.illinois.gov.
Pre-Register
Your Benefit Choice Period is May 1 - May 31, 2019, and therefore it is imperative that you pre-register as quickly as possible.
Be prepared to make your elections by pre-registering on the MyBenefits website. Familiarize yourself with the tools and resources at your fingertips to make your Benefit Choice elections online. If you’re not sure how to register or how to navigate the website, be sure to check-out the videos which will walk you through both the registration process and how to navigate the site.
It’s simple and easy. Just go to MyBenefits.illinois.gov.
Once you’re there, you can update your contact information and check-out the upcoming plan options available to you this Benefit Choice Period.
Once the Benefit Choice period is here, beginning May 1 and throughout the month of May, go to MyBenefits.illinois.gov to review your benefit options, compare health plans and make your elections. It's your one-stop shop for Benefit Choice. On MyBenefits you can:
PLEASE NOTE: Employees must enroll in MCAP and/or DCAP each year.
Previous enrollment in the program does not continue into the new plan year.
If you need help navigating the MyBenefits website or with your enrollments, contact the MyBenefits Service Center (toll-free) 844-251-1777, or 844-251-1778 (TDD/TTY). Representatives are available Monday - Friday, 8 AM. - 6 PM. CT.
During the month of May, EIU employees can visit the park for as little as $19.99! Visit HolidayWorld.com/FunClub to pick your price by using the username and password listed below.
Username: Holiday730
Password: World730
Financial wellness is the peace of mind you feel when you’ve balanced saving and spending…living well today and planning for tomorrow. How do you achieve it? Visit www.prudential.com/easternillinoisuniversity and find out how!
Prudential has provided EIU employees with a custom portal that includes trending topics about everyday trade-offs: vacation vs staycation, packing your lunch, and how to stay financially healthy in the New Year.
This portal is completely private and is easy to access anytime anywhere!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GIFT DAYS
What is a gift day?
A gift day is a designated paid day that the University may provide to leave benefit eligible employees during the holiday break in December without having to use their own benefit time. A gift day is paid at straight time and does not accrue towards overtime eligibility.
What if it is determined that I am an “essential” employee who must work during the gift day?
Essential employees who are required to work on the gift day may use the gift day on another day within the timeframe identified by the administration and, with supervisor approval. For FY 19, the alternative time-off must be taken by March 31, 2019.
I have requested a sick day for a doctor appointment on a designated gift day. Will I be required to use the gift day?
Yes, unless you are an essential employee, you must use the gift day on that day.
I am scheduled to work on a designated gift day and want to use the gift day on another day. What do I need to do?
You must follow standard protocol with your department for requesting time off and obtain approval from your supervisor.
I am on Family Medical Leave from 12/26 – 1/15 Do I need to use my gift day?
Yes, you are required to use your gift day. The day will be a paid gift day but will still count towards your FMLA leave entitlement.
I am currently on leave, am I eligible for the gift day?
You may be. Please contact Human Resources at benefits@eiu.edu or call 217-581-5825 to discuss your specific situation.
I am a part time employee. Am I eligible for the gift day?
In general, part time employees not accruing benefit time are not eligible to receive the gift day. Please contact Human Resources at benefits@eiu.edu or call 217-581-5825 to discuss your specific situation.
If I call in sick, can I use the gift day?
If the sick day occurs on a designated gift day, the time will be paid as a gift day. If you work on a gift day, and choose to use the gifted day later, you must follow standard protocol for requesting time off, including supervisor approval.
If I am on probation, am I eligible for the gift day?
Yes.
Does the Gift Day expire for essential personnel who work on a designated gift day?
Yes, the gift day used at some other time, must be used no later than a date identified by the administration. For FY19, the last eligible day is March 31, 2019.
I was hired prior to December 31 of the current year to begin work on January 2, 2019. Will I be eligible to receive pay for the gifted day?
No, you must be in pay status and benefit eligible prior to December 26, 2018 to be eligible for the gift day.
Start 2019 off right and help keep your financial goals on track with TIAA's live webinars. Reserve your spot today at www.tiaa.org/webinars
The changes to the factors are a result of a recent actuarial experience study* which recommended a reduction of the assumed rate of investment return and updated mortality tables to reflect an overall increased life expectancy. An actuarial experience study is required by state statute at least once every three years.
The board voted in March to reduce the long-term assumed rate of investment return from 7.25 percent to 6.75 percent. This rate impacts money purchase factors used in calculating retirement benefits
When SURS calculates a retirement benefit, all eligible calculation types are performed and the annuity is based on the calculation that provides the highest benefit. For members retiring on or after July 2, 2019, under the Money Purchase formula, the change in Money Purchase factors will result in an average five to six percent downward adjustment in their monthly annuity. Members can offset the adjustment by delaying retirement by approximately six to seven months for active participants and nine months for inactive participants.
The changes to the Money Purchase factors will not affect:
Retirement calculations are unique to each individual member. For this reason, SURS encourages all members who are considering retirement in the next two years and who might be affected by the Money Purchase factor changes to log in to their personal account on the SURS Member Website and utilize the benefit estimator. By calculating estimates for retirement dates before and after the July 2, 2019, effective date, members can gain a clearer picture of how the factor changes could impact benefits.
For more information, read the Money Purchase Factor Change Fact Sheet or view the Money Purchase Factor Video at www.surs.org.
*The purpose of an actuarial experience study is to review the actual experience of the system in relation to the current actuarial assumptions to determine which, if any, of the assumptions need modification to provide better estimates of future liability and asset growth for the System.
Old Main Room 2020
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston IL, 61920
217-581-5825
Fax: 217-581-3614
benefits@eiu.edu