Announcements

Open enrollment for health benefits and flexible reimbursement accounts: May 1-24 

Significant changes are being made to employee health benefits beginning July 1. Eligible faculty and classified employees are strongly encouraged to actively participate in this year's open enrollment. Taking no action this year may result in involuntary changes to coverage. Carefully review the Open Enrollment Checklist  for important information and instructions. 

• For more information, see the "Spotlight"  newsletter from the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM), which manages the state health benefits program. See also www.dhrm.virginia.gov/hbenefits/OE2013/OpenEnrollment2013.html. 
• Get a $17 discount on the first six months of your premium! How? If you're enrolling in COVA Care or COVA HealthAware, complete an online health assessment. (To register, enter your state employee ID number plus two leading zeroes.) The $17 monthly premium discount is applied for each employee and/or enrolled spouse who completes the health assessment by May 24. (Enrolled spouses register separately using the same ID number.) For details, see page 5 of the "Spotlight"  newsletter. 
• Need to find your state employee ID number? (NOTE: It is not your Banner V-ID number.) Your state employee ID number is the 7-digit number listed on your health plan card. It starts with "YTX." For example, if your health plan ID number is "YTX1234567XU," your employee number is "1234567."
• NEW! DHRM has posted these most frequently asked questions  from the recent statewide information meetings . Keep checking back - additional FAQs will be posted as they are are received. 

VCU and the Commonwealth of Virginia are providing information sessions so that faculty and staff can learn more about their options, ask questions and be prepared to actively participate in this year's open enrollment.

• Following is the remaining VCU information session:
  • Tuesday, May 21, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., The Commons, Richmond Salons I and II. Click here to register for this session.
• See www.dhrm.virginia.gov/hbenefits/EmployeeMeetings2013.pdf  for the statewide information sessions. Update: DHRM has added new sessions!

VRS modernization: employee contributions   

The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) is undertaking a multi-year modernization program to upgrade its technology systems and business operations. As part of this modernization, VRS is making changes to how it collects member contributions from employees. These changes are effective immediately. Click here  for more information. 

Your "financial fitness"       

Check out these free seminars for important savings and investment information.

Retirement seminars

Free retirement seminars are available to VCU employees.

Total compensation

Compensation is more than just a paycheck at VCU. You enjoy many benefits beyond the value of your salary. Learn more about how much you really make . 

VRS member news

Full-time and part-time faculty and staff enrolled in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) can stay informed about their retirement benefits by subscribing to the VRS member news publication. For questions, contact VCU benefits at benefits@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1723.

VRS member benefit profiles

Annual member benefit profiles (MBPs) for participants in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) are available by logging onto myVRS. VRS no longer mails paper copies of these statements. Employees without computer access may request a printed copy of their MBP by contacting VCU benefits at (804) 827-1723. 

Investment lineup changes to the Virginia Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP/457b)

Effective July 23, 2012, the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) made significant changes to the investment lineup for the DCP (457b). For more information, DCP participants may wish to review the transition bulletin .  

Concerned about market events?

Check out these resources from Fidelity and TIAA-CREF:     

• Fidelity Market Volatility Resource Center  
• TIAA-CREF Perspective on Market Volatility  

Need to speak to an investment counselor on campus? Click here to schedule an appointment.

Benefits summaries

Benefits are an important part of your total employment package from VCU. Some of these benefits are provided automatically to you while others are optional. In addition, you can choose to extend some benefits beyond your VCU employment. For a summary of all your benefits, choose from the employment classification below that best describes your position at the university.

Faculty Full-time Part-time Adjunct

Staff Full-time classified Part-time classified Hourly

All benefits

Access the full listing of VCU employment benefits >>

New employee resources

New to VCU? We offer a number of resources for new employees — from orientation to training opportunities to handbooks. Be sure to review the new employees page for a listing of these links.

Life events and your benefits

Any time you experience a life event change — such as getting married, starting a family or retiring — remember to review your benefits. You may need to provide us with updates. Other times, you may want help in resolving some of the family and personal issues that occur because of these changes. In those situations, please look into our work/life resources for assistance.

VCU Gold access to health care

VCU Gold is a program that allows university employees and their family members (new patients) to receive “fast track” ambulatory care scheduling with the first available provider at VCU medical center specialty clinics. Call (804) 628-3627 to learn more or to schedule an appointment. Visit the VCU Gold page for more details.