Thrive Every Day, April 2025

April 4, 2025
Thrive At Princeton. Thrive Every Day. Make the Most of Your Princeton Benefits

April Events

The Sandwich Generation: Multi-Generational Caregiving, offered by Carebridge, April 15, 10:00 a.m.

Balancing Your Financial and Emotional Wellbeing, offered by Carebridge, April 24, 11:00 a.m.

Coping with Grief and Loss, offered by Carebridge, April 22, 2:00 p.m.

Trust Your Gut: Learn More About How to Treat IBS, GERD, Celiac Disease, and More, presented by 2nd.MD, April 24, 1:00 p.m.

Individual Financial Advice Counseling Sessions, with CAPTRUST, Employee Wellness Center, April 21 and 22

Virtual Individual Financial Advice Counseling Sessions, with CAPTRUST, April 11 and 28

Creative Ways to Reduce Expenses, CAPTRUST, recorded webinar

Family Wealth Education, TIAA, recorded webinar

Planning for Life Milestones, TIAA, recorded webinar

What You Need to Know This Month

Managing Your Retirement Savings is Getting Easier

The following enhancements are now available for the Princeton University retirement program. 

Enrollment & Contribution Changes 

You can now start, stop, increase, or decrease your contributions to the Retirement Savings Plan in any of the following ways: 

  • Visit TIAA.org/princeton. This is the same website used to manage your retirement plan account. Log in or select Enroll or update and follow the prompts.
  • Call TIAA at (800) 842-2252.
  • Log in to Princeton University HR Self Service. Easily, securely, and directly access your TIAA account. Click the Benefit Details tile, then click the Manage Retirement Savings tile.

Non-benefits eligible employees who wish to enroll in the Retirement Savings Plan will continue to contact [email protected]. Those who are already enrolled can request changes through TIAA. 

Automatically Increase Your Contributions

You can now set up self-directed automatic increases to help build your savings faster. To sign up, log in to your account at TIAA.org/princeton, select Manage contributions under the Accounts menu, and follow the prompts. You can select when you would like to automatically increase your contributions, the rate of the increase, and when you would like to stop it.

April is National Financial Literacy Month

The goal this month is to raise awareness about the importance of financial education and to empower individuals to make informed financial decisions. It’s never too late to learn about saving and improving your financial well-being!   

Top 10 Tips

  1. Create a budget: Start by calculating your monthly income and expenses. Use this information to create a budget that works for you.
  2. Track your spending: Keep track of every dollar you spend to help you stick to your budget.
  3. Smart debt: If possible, avoid taking on debt. If you must take on debt, be aware of interest rates, and make sure payments fit into your budget.
  4. Save for emergencies: Set aside some money each month in case of emergencies.
  5. Save for the future: Start saving for retirement as early as possible to give your money time to grow.
  6. Live within your means: Try to live within your means by avoiding unnecessary expenses and making smart purchasing decisions.
  7. Plan for big expenses: Whether it's a down payment on a house or a new car, plan ahead for big expenses by saving up and making informed decisions about financing options.
  8. Be mindful of credit: Behaviors that lead to carrying monthly balances and spending more than you otherwise would with cash or a debit card can lead to more financial problems than if you avoided using credit altogether. 
  9. Educate yourself: Learn about personal finance and investing so you can make informed decisions about your money.
  10. Ask for help: Don't be afraid to ask for help from a financial advisor.

* Source: National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)

Spring Mammography Program

Early detection saves lives! Available to you and your loved ones, the Princeton Mammography Program runs from April 14 through April 30. The University partners with Princeton Radiology to offer convenient mammogram appointment times, including early mornings, evenings, and Saturdays. To schedule a mammogram at one of the locations below, you will need a prescription from your primary care doctor or gynecologist. 

  • Princeton Radiology
    • 419 N. Harrison Street
    • Princeton, NJ 08540
    • (609) 921-3345
  • Princeton Radiology at Quakerbridge
    • 8 Quakerbridge Road
    • Mercerville, NJ 08619
    • (609) 890-0033
  • Princeton Radiology at East Windsor
    • 300a Princeton Hightstown Road
    • Suite 101
    • East Windsor, NJ 08520
    • (609) 426-9200

Elder Care

You’re not alone if you feel overwhelmed when caring for aging parents, a spouse, or loved one. Princeton’s elder care resources are available to assist you with managing the challenges of elder care giving. Additionally, you can call Carebridge at (800) 437-0911 and ask to speak with an Elder Care Specialist.

Adoption, Surrogacy, & Family Planning Benefit

The University provides reimbursement up to a lifetime maximum of $40,000 for expenses related to adoption, surrogacy, legal guardianship, and purchase and storage of medically necessary donor material. Details on eligibility and rules can be found on the HR website.

Health Advocate

Healthcare can be difficult to navigate! Health Advocate is available to you and your family members, at no cost, to explain a new diagnosis or understand a treatment plan, to find in-network health care providers, to resolve billing and claim issues, to explain benefits coverage through your health plan, and much more. As a reminder, they now offers assistance in 11 different languages.

Financial Planning

Making decisions about your retirement accounts can be challenging. The advice and educational resources provided by TIAA, CAPTRUST, and Isles can help you take control of your finances, so be sure to utilize these no-cost, confidential resources provided by the University.

  • TIAA offers individual retirement plan advice, either by phone, virtually, or in person. To schedule an advice session with TIAA, call 800-842-2252 or make an appointment online. For a Spanish Speaking Advisor, call (800) 414-5180.
  • CAPTRUST is an independent investment advisory firm that provides free, confidential investment and financial advice to retirement plan participants. For information, including articles, videos and other valuable resources, visit their website. To speak to a counselor about the University’s retirement plan and/or other financial issues, call the Retirement Advice Line at (800) 967-9948.
  • Isles is dedicated to helping people manage everyday money issues such as budgeting, saving, and reducing debt. Contact Isles at (609) 341-4714. Counseling is available in English and Spanish.

Employee Wellness Center

The Employee Wellness Center @ 350 Alexander Street is your place for in-person consultations.  

Schedule a free, confidential appointment with one of these resources: