Category: Your Money

Why you might want a flexible spending account

Did you know a flexible spending account (FSA) can help you save on taxes when you pay for qualified expenses?

Open enrollment is a great time to explore adding an FSA to your benefits package if you don’t already have one. UF offers two types of FSAs you might wish to consider enrolling — a healthcare FSA and a dependent care FSA.

Choosing a dental plan from UF’s many options

Still trying to decide on a dental plan that works for you and your family? You’ve come to the right place. We have your oral health covered. Dental plans can be a confusing part of choosing your healthcare benefits package. Between State and UF offerings, you have access to 12 different dental plans, which can be a lot to navigate!

But the good news is that, with so many options, there’s bound to be one that fits your and your family’s dental needs best. We break it all down for you here.

Choosing your health insurance plan: HMO vs. PPO vs. HDHP

HMO, PPO, HDHP… oh my. If all the acronyms trip you up when it comes to choosing your healthcare plan this Open Enrollment, you’re not alone. Here’s some basic information that can help you decide when it comes to choosing your healthcare options. What is an HMO? A Health Maintenance Organization, or HMO, is one […]

Review your benefits and make changes during Open Enrollment, now through Oct. 29

The State of Florida and UF’s Benefits Open Enrollment period is your opportunity to make changes to your benefits enrollments for the upcoming calendar year. This year’s Open Enrollment started yesterday and runs through Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. EST. 

Importantly, note that UFHR Benefits will never contact you to ask you for your personal information. Please do not share your Social Security number or any other private information with anyone who calls claiming to represent the university or the State of Florida during Open Enrollment or at any other time throughout the year. 

Your annual opportunity to ensure you have the benefits that meet your needs

Each fall, the annual open enrollment period provides you with an opportunity to evaluate your current benefits to determine if adjustments are needed for the new plan year. This year’s open enrollment period begins today and ends on Friday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. EST. Changes made during open enrollment will take effect Jan. 1, 2022. 

Aid-a-Gator provides a lifeline to employees in need

Aid-a-Gator is an emergency relief fund for UF employees experiencing financial hardship. Funds are not meant to replace income, but to provide needed assistance in a crisis. Over the past four years, the program has expanded beyond hurricane relief, assisting over 400 employees as they weather hardships such as sudden illness, family crisis or natural disasters.

Any UF employee, including graduate assistants, can apply for emergency relief through Aid-a-Gator; and applicants can receive a maximum of $1,500 per calendar year. A committee of staff and faculty work alongside the UFHR Benefits team to review each application and a decision is usually made within the month.

Florida minimum wage to increase Sept. 30

Florida’s Amendment 2, which the legislature passed in November 2020, will increase Florida’s minimum wage incrementally until it reaches $15 per hour in September 2026.

Higher Education Opportunity scholarship applications due Nov. 1

Created in 2003, the Higher Education Opportunity, or HEO, program provides tuition assistance for an undergraduate education at the University of Florida to children of full-time TEAMS employees in the form of a scholarship. In March 2022, UFHR will randomly select up to 150 TEAMS employees from a pool of eligible applicants to participate in the HEO. The deadline to submit an application is Nov. 1, 2021.

Benefits Open Enrollment runs Oct. 11–29

Open Enrollment for 2022 benefits will take place Oct. 11 through Oct. 29. UF’s annual Open Enrollment period is your opportunity to add, change or remove benefits enrollment elections for the next plan year. Elections made during this period will take effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

TEP scholarships offer the possibility of more affordable higher education

Faculty and staff with dependent children are encouraged to apply for the Tuition Exchange Scholarship Program, or TEP.