Benefits Update - January 15, 2009

2009 Insurance Benefits Guides are available at the Administrative Services Bldg. Reception area for those employees that would like a hard copy.  You may also access the 2009 Insurance Benefits Guide online at Employee Insurance Programs website http://www.eip.sc.gov/ibg/ .

Prevention Partners - Health Promotion and Education

Please visit Prevention Partners website to obtain information on specific programs and available seminars.
http://www.eip.sc.gov/prevention/
January Health Bulletins

Benefit Premiums

Insurance premiums for January 2009 coverage were reflected in the December 26, 2008 check.  MoneyPlu$ Medical Spending, Dependent Care, Health Savings Accounts and fees for 2009 were reflected in the January 09, 2009 check.

Please review your paycheck on-line click the following link: Employee Self Service (Includes View Pay Check) ; to verify benefit deductions and review MyBenefits go to: http://www.eip.sc.gov/mybenefits/ in relation to any open enrollment changes. Please report any discrepancies to the benefits office.

Insurance Coverage for Dependent Children Ages 19-24

You may cover your dependent children, ages 19-24, who are full-time students. It is the responsibility of the employee to notify the benefits office if their dependent, age 19-24 drops below full-time student status as they must be removed from coverage.

If your dependent, age 19-24, goes back to school full-time, you may put them back on your coverage within 31 days of eligibility.

Employee Insurance Program (EIP) conducts periodic audits of the eligibility of covered dependent ages 19-24. If your child is found to be ineligible, his coverage will be canceled, and EIP will seek repayment of any benefits paid for him while he was ineligible.

Address Changes

Employees who change their address need to reference the following link for instructions to update their contact information at Clemson University and appropriate benefit vendors: http://www.clemson.edu/cao/humanresources/worklife/change_address.html

Supplemental Retirement

2009 Limits
The limits for the supplemental retirement plans have changed for 2009. The new limits are as follows:

403b and 401k regular $16,500
403b and 401k over age 50 catch-up $5,500
457 regular $16,500
457 over age 50 catch-up $5,500

Changes may be made throughout the year.

For more information regarding 2009 retirement plan limits, please reference:
http://media.clemson.edu/humanres/plans_options.pdf
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=187833,00.html

New IRS Regulations for 403b plans

 In accordance with IRS regulations effective 01/01/2009, Clemson University has adopted a 403b Plan Document. Under the plan, loans and financial hardship distributions are not permitted.

Contact for further questions about supplemental retirement
Pablo Unda punda@clemson.edu

AFLAC

AFLAC has upgraded their Cancer Insurance Policy.  AFLAC is offering "loyalty rates" to current policyholders that upgrade their Cancer Insurance Policies.  Normally policyholders have until the end of 2008 to take advantage of these rates. However, AFLAC has extended the deadline until April 30, 2009.  These new rates are given to current policy holders who have had their Cancer Insurance policy for a year or more.  Children of single parents and families with unmarried children who are under the age of 25 can be included at no extra charge. 

For more information, please call Ginny Murdock at 864 882-8157 or e-mail GinnyMurdock@aol.com

Clemson University
Office of Human Resources Insurance Unit

Contact Information:
Phone: (864) 656-2713     Fax: (864) 656-4672         
Email: empins@clemson.edu
Address: Office of Human Resources-Insurance Benefits Unit
Clemson University, Administrative Services Building
Box 345337 Pearman Blvd. Clemson, SC  29634-5337

Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
8am - 12pm and 1pm - 4:30 pm
Closed 12pm-1pm - lunch hour

Wednesday - Not available
Insurance staff conducting new employee orientation.

Exceptions:

January 19, 2009 - University closed for Martin Luther King holiday.