March Events

Healthy Eating: Elevate Your Plate Part 1, recorded by Health Coach Gerry Pierre, RDN, CDCES

Healthy Eating: Elevate Your Plate Part 2, recorded by Health Coach Gerry Pierre, RDN, CDCES

Coping with Grief & Loss, offered by Carebridge, March 11, 2:00 p.m.

A Healthier You: How Mental Health Affects Physical Health, with Health Advocate, March 20, 10:00 a.m.

Coping with Stress & Burnout, offered by Carebridge, March 26, 1:30 pm

Memorial Sloan Kettering Care for Young Patients with GI Cancers, on-demand video

Take Control of Your Financial Life: 5 Steps to Save Money and Manage Debt, TIAA recorded webinar   

Navigating the Sandwich Generation: Financial Strategies for the Caregiving Squeeze, TIAA recorded webinar  

Four Steps to Take Now to Retire Well, CAPTRUST recorded webinar

What You Need to Know this Month

Retirement Plan Enhancements: Managing Your Retirement Savings is Getting Easier

Princeton University is making enhancements to how you make Retirement Plan contribution changes. The enhancements are scheduled to begin on or about March 21, 2025. You will receive another communication once they are available. 

To make the enhancements, there will be a brief quiet period from March 10 through March 20, 2025, when you will not be able to make changes to your contributions or enroll in the program. During this period, you can still access your retirement plan account, request balance transfers, change investments, update your beneficiary, and review investment performance.

If you would like to make a contribution change prior to the quiet period, please go to HR Self Service before 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

NOTE: Sunday, March 9, at 5:00 p.m. is the last time to make a Retirement Savings Plan contribution change for March pay period(s) through HR Self Service.

March is National Nutrition Month

Eating a healthy diet can prevent chronic disease, increase your energy levels, improve your mood, help you maintain a healthy weight, and reduce inflammation. 

• Healthy fats like nuts, seeds, olive oil, and avocados support heart health and brain function.
• Fruit and veggies are packed with essential vitamins and antioxidants to boost your immunity and prevent disease.
• Whole grains include oats, whole wheat bread, and quinoa, which are rich in fiber and improve digestion.
• Lean and plant-based proteins include fish, chicken breast, eggs, peas, and beans which are essential for bone and muscle health. Additionally, eating protein keeps you full longer. Are you getting enough protein daily? It is recommended that men get at least 56 grams of protein daily and women get 46 grams.

You and your dependents are eligible for free and confidential nutrition counseling through the My Health Coach program. A health coach can work with you to find healthy meals that are easy and quick to prepare. To schedule an appointment with a Trestle Health Coach, call (866) 237-0973.

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

The goal is to raise awareness by promoting early detection and sharing survival stories. Did you know that most survive colorectal cancer when it’s found and treated early? A colonoscopy is the best method to detect colorectal cancer but Cologuard, a non-invasive test, might be an option if you are not at high risk for developing the disease. 

Risk factors include:

• Have an immediate family member diagnosed with colon cancer
• Carry a gene for hereditary colon cancer syndrome
• Have a history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's disease
• You were a smoker or currently smoke
• You are overweight

Beginning at age 45, preventive colonoscopies done at an independent facility and a Cologuard test are coved at 100% if you are enrolled in a Princeton Medical Plan. You will need a prescription from a provider for both screenings.

MSK Direct, through the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center provides direct access to a team of professionals who specialize in cancer care. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, call the Princeton University dedicated MSK Direct line toll-free at (844) 303-2123, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or visit the MSK Direct for Princeton website.

Flexible Spending Account — Claims Deadline for 2024

If you were enrolled in a healthcare or dependent care flexible spending account in 2024, you have until March 31, 2025, to submit claims for eligible expenses incurred during the 2024 calendar year. Claims can be submitted by logging in to your Inspira account on the Inspira Financial website. If this is your first-time logging into your account, you will need to register using your unique benefit ID number found in HR Self Service under Benefit Details.

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.