Pitt Benefits

Retirement Savings Plan Survey

The Benefits Department has placed a retirement savings plan survey on the Human Resources web site.

www.hr.pitt.edu

The survey is open to all faculty and staff and should only take about 10 minutes to complete. It focuses on the services and offerings of both TIAA-CREF and Vanguard within the Pitt retirement plan. Questions range from very general (e.g. What is your overall satisfaction with the retirement savings program?) to more specific (e.g. How easy is it to navigate the provider’s web site?).

To better serve its customers, the Benefits Department and the plan providers will be interested in knowing:

• What information/tools may be able to help you save for your retirement.

• Topics of interest for retirement and financial planning.

• The best approach for you to access information.

• What can be done to help encourage you to plan to take advantage of free one-on-one counseling sessions with financial planners offered by TIAA-CREF and Vanguard.

• The University community’s awareness and use of retirement savings plan features.

Like most surveys, a few demographic questions are asked. Keep in mind, the survey is anonymous. The demographic information will help isolate the needs of various groups.

The survey is available now through Jan. 31. Your feedback is valuable and appreciated. Results of the survey will be shared online and in a future edition of the University Times.

Annual Weight Loss Campaign

For those of us who need to lose a few pounds, weight loss efforts should be part of a lifestyle change. However, that is easier said than done and we need to start somewhere. The Fitness for Life Program once again will work with Weight Watchers. Most participants from the 2011 campaign will attest it was a worthwhile effort. A few of the highlights of this year’s program include:

• Discounted pricing from Weight Watchers and a partial reimbursement (if you meet the participation goals).

• On-campus participants may pay the cost of the program by check or credit card directly to Weight Watchers.

• Participants may enroll online if they choose to participate in a Weight Watcher program in their own community.

• Spouses/domestic partners also may join the program at the discounted price and be eligible for a partial reimbursement if participation goals are met.

The Fitness for Life Weight Watchers program is a 12-week-long program that begins the week of Jan. 23. Participants attend meetings once a week either on campus or at an off-campus location. There are a minimum number of participants required to hold on-campus meetings and thus Weight Watchers may not be able to hold meetings in all requested buildings/locations. Weight Watchers will work directly with the regional campuses as well to promote the program.

Please note that if you enroll on-line for the Weight Watchers “Monthly Passes” to participate in your community, the enrollment is “evergreen” which means it continues until you cancel the program directly with Weight Watchers.