Get Your Health Assessment Now

Open Enrollment for your 2014 Benefits Package is still a few months away but it's never too early to pledge to be well. One of the four Wellness Pledges for 2014 (which will credit your pay statement $260 for the year) is the Health Assessment Pledge. Similar to last year's Know Your Numbers/HRA Pledge you will need to fill in your health information on a secured site. Here's what you can do now to get a head start on wellness:

1. Register and login to UnitedHealthcare's myuhc.com and select the Health Assessment tab located on the far right side of the home page. 
2. Register and login using the same username and password as you did when registering on myuhc.com. 
3. Answer several security questions before you can get started. 
4. Take the Health Assessment by filling in the pre-populated fields.*
5. Hit Submit. If you have not completed the Assessment you will be notified that you have an additional 92 days to complete.

*To fill in your numbers for blood pressure, cholesterol, and Body Mass Index (BMI) you can contact your physician to see if it's time for a physical, and chart your updated biometrics in the myuhc.com portal.

Note: As long as you complete the Health Assessment and hit the submit button you will be credited for the Pledge in 2014.

Newly Hired?
If you were recently hired, you will not be able to access the Health Assessment until your benefits are active, which is the first day of the month following 32 days after your date of hire.

Protect Your Eyes All Year Round

It’s important to protect your eyes not just during the summer months but all year round. Medical studies have increasingly tied chronic exposure to UV and near-UV rays to ocular diseases. Although the sun may be the strongest during the summer months (particularly between the hours of 10am and 4pm) reflective surfaces, such as concrete, ice and snow can also contribute to UV damage.

The experts at Davis Vision recommend a quality pair of prescription or non-prescription sunglasses that:

• Block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays
• Block blue light rays
• Contain large lenses that fit close to your eyes

Davis Vision (of Long Island) and Empire Vision Centers (of Upstate New York) will be renovated and rebranded under the name Visionworks at the end of this year. Visionworks remains the largest owned and operated optical company in the U.S., offering over 2,000 frames at each store location. More to come.

The Retirement Team is Here for You

The Investment Committee has got your back. Retirement planning should be a two way street, you invest your money and we help to invest it wisely. In addition to researching the best funds available for your Plans, the Retirement Team at North Shore-LIJ is here to help you plan for a secure future. In collaboration with the experts at MetLife, the health system offers the Retirewise Program, an informative retirement planning program with a classroom approach, educating employees about the options and opportunities they have through North Shore-LIJ. For more information and opportunities to save for your future, email: Retirement@nshs.edu. If you want a clear definition about the funds offered through MetLife, read more.

No Action Required

The Investment Committee at North Shore-LIJ is looking out for you. Researching, with your financial security top of mind, the Committee consistently looks for new ways to make your money work harder for you.

Beginning May 31, 2013 there are two fund changes:

First, Cohen & Steers Institutional Global Realty Fund will be replaced by Security Capital Fund. Security Capital Fund in combination with Morgan Stanley Institutional Global Real Estate I Fund, will now comprise the plan’s Global REIT option.

Second, RS International Growth Fund will be replaced by Dreyfus International Equity Fund. Dreyfus International Equity Fund in combination with Causeway International Value Institutional Fund, will now comprise the plan’s International Equity option.

Nothing for You to Do!
If you have a balance in the funds exchanged, your account and future contribution will be automatically transferred to the new investment options as on May 31. You will receive a confirmation in the mail or you can visit MetLife online after May 31. Do not hesitate to reach out to a MetLife representative - consultations are free. For a complete statement visit HealthPort.

Annual Notice for Cash Balance Plan

With more than 40% of our benefits-eligible employees classified as “Baby Boomers” it is important to understand the options for retirement planning. The health system provides a generous Retirement Program consisting of two parts – the Cash Balance and the 403(b) Plans. Along with a smart lifestyle consisting of managing your debt and researching Medicare’s change of coverage in 2014, you might be more ready than you think (or not)!

Each year the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) requires that all pension plan participants receive an Annual Notice that describes the funded status of their plan. The health system’s Cash Balance Plan’s funded liability percentage in 2012 is 100.85%, and the Huntington Hospital Pension Plan’s is 95.55%.  Those are great numbers! The higher the percentage, the better funded the plan is to cover for current and future costs.

Get your retirement numbers up there by keeping informed and making smart decisions. Don’t rely on Social Security to get you through your golden years! If you have questions about the Retirement Plan at North Shore-LIJ, call the HR Service Center at 516-734-7000.

Coming Soon!

Be on the lookout for the spring issue of Transforming Your Care magazine, the HR publication dedicated to the health and wellness of North Shore-LIJ team members. This issue covers a wide variety of topics including an update on your benefits, a section on “Transforming Your Career” at North Shore-LIJ and some tips on how to start saving for your retirement NOW.

Pay attention baby boomers. Save now for later! North Shore-LIJ provides eligible employees a generous Retirement Program to help save for the future. The program consists of two parts— the Cash Balance Plan and the 403(b) or 401(k) Plan, with an employer match. For details, visit the benefits section on HealthPort or call the HR Service Center at 516-734-7000 for guidance. For more on saving for the future, see page 13 in the upcoming issue of TYC!

Annual Rate Change 403(b) and 401(k)

If you have allocated funds in your 403(b) or 401(k) Retirement Savings Account in the stable value account, also known as FISA, the interest rate has changed as of April 1, 2013. The rates for these funds change every year. As of April 1 the interest rate is 3% for 403(b) accounts and 3.5% for 401(k) accounts.

In case you were wondering the 403(b) plan applies to those in the health system who work for not-for-profit entities (which is the majority) and the 401(k) plan applies to those who work for our profit entities.

Check out to see if you are investing wisely for your retirement, contact a MetLife representative today by calling 800-543-2520 or visit mlr.metlife.com.