Great Colleges to Work for 2024

Open Enrollment (Deadline is Oct. 31, 2025)

Employees may make changes to their benefits that will take effect January 1, 2026. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact us at 662-325-3713 or benefits@hrm.msstate.edu

What's New

September 22, 2025

Benefits Open Enrollment

Mark your calendars for Benefits Open Enrollment, which runs from Oct. 1–31. This is your annual opportunity to review and make changes to your benefits elections. Any updates you make during this period will take effect Jan. 1, 2026. 

To support you during this time, Human Resource Management, or HRM, will be onsite at the locations listed below to assist with questions and provide guidance. 

Additionally, don’t forget to participate in Employee Benefits & Wellness Week, which offers both virtual and in-person sessions to help you better understand your benefits options. Click here for more information.

HRM Onsite Schedule 

  • Coastal Research and Extension Center, Biloxi – Oct. 1 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. 

  • Central MS Research and Extension Center, Raymond – Oct. 2 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

  • North MS Research & Extension Center, Verona – Oct. 6 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

  • Meridian Campus, Downtown – Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. –1 p.m. 

  • Delta Research & Extension Center, Stoneville – Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. –2 p.m.

  • Mississippi State University, Starkville, McArthur Hall, Room 181 – Oct. 10 from 11 a.m.– 2 p.m.

Key Changes – Effective Jan. 1, 2026 

  • The Base plan family deductible will increase to $3,400 to meet the minimum required regulations under Federal Law. The Base plan coverage option qualifies under IRS regulations as a high deductible health plan that can be used with a health savings account. There are no other deductible changes for 2026. 

  • Both the Base and Select plans will have pharmacy programs implemented. Each of these programs are designed to assist participants with costs associated with specialty medications.  

Important Dates 

  • Employee Benefits and Wellness Week: Sept. 22–26

  • Open Enrollment Period: Oct. 1–31

  • Deadline for Submission: Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. No changes will be accepted after this date.  

  • Benefit Changes Take Place: Jan. 1, 2026 

If you have questions, contact your HRM Benefits Specialist at (662)325-3713 or visit hrm.msstate.edu/benefits.  

August 26, 2025

September 2025 TELUS Health

COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR (Available on the TELUS Health One App): 

Sharing my mental health with others: creating a positive experience

Mental health is a vital part of wellbeing, yet changes in our mental wellbeing are to be expected during our life. These can be due to common developmental changes, life events, or significant and unexpected challenges and opportunities. A key skill to maintaining and improving mental wellbeing is the ability to seek support when experiencing stressors in life. This seminar seeks to empower participants to share their mental health with others by exploring situations when sharing with others can be beneficial, common characteristics we should look for when choosing someone to confide in, and practical strategies to consider when creating a plan for when, where, and how to share.

Check out some wellness resources for this month:

To access, please login at one.telushealth.com or download the Mobile app (TELUS Health One). Username: msu Password: msu

ORIENTATION SESSIONS

These sessions provide an overview of the TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program, equipping both employees and managers with tools and resources to support mental well-being, resilience, and overall self-care. Upcoming orientations:

Short promotional orientation videos:

 

Don't forget!  TELUS Health EAP benefits are available to you and your household members--don't hesitate to contact them if you need assistance.

July 23, 2025

August 2025 TELUS Health

COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR (Available on the TELUS Health One):

The modern workplace can be a chaotic environment that contributes to high levels of stress. When feeling overwhelmed, we tend to ruminate and go into “autopilot” mode. Over time, a mind-body disconnect occurs and our innate capacity for self-awareness, self-regulation and self-care decreases. Mindfulness training can bring about remarkable changes in the workplace, benefitting not only those who attend the training. It has a ripple effect that can extend to the entire organization.

Check out some wellness resources for this month:

  • Sleep Health Toolkit (toolkit)
  • Taking Care of Yourself (Article)
  • How Staying Active Helps Wellbeing (Infographic)

To access, please login at one.telushealth.com or download the Mobile app (TELUS Health One). Username: msu Password: msu

ORIENTATION SESSIONS

These sessions provide an overview of the TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program, equipping both employees and managers with tools and resources to support mental well-being, resilience, and overall self-care. Upcoming orientations:

Short promotional orientation videos:

 

Don't forget!  TELUS Health EAP benefits are available to you and your household members--don't hesitate to contact them if you need assistance.

June 27, 2025

July 2025 TELUS Health (Employee Assistance Program) Information

COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR (Available on the TELUS Health One):

Our minds and bodies need rest and recovery breaks to allow us to relax and reduce the effects of stress. While everyone has days that are hectic and unfocused, consistently feeling stressed out, rushed, or on the go can have a detrimental impact on a person, increasing their risk of experiencing serious physical concern, such as heart disease or stroke. This seminar will show you how to make time to calm down and reduce stress, using both proactive and reactive relaxation techniques.

To access, please login at one.telushealth.com or download the Mobile app (TELUS Health One). Username: msu Password: msu

ORIENTATION SESSIONS

These sessions provide an overview of the TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program, equipping both employees and managers with tools and resources to support mental well-being, resilience, and overall self-care. Upcoming orientations:

Short promotional orientation videos:

MENTAL HEALTH INDEX

TELUS Mental Health Index : The 2025 report shows that at least one in four workers are feeling anxious and isolated and do not have emergency savings to cover basic needs; one in four say their mental health is negatively impacting work productivity. Almost one in three workers are overwhelmed by their responsibilities, with concern disproportionately amongst younger workers and parents.

Don't forget!  TELUS Health EAP benefits are available to you and your household members--don't hesitate to contact them if you need assistance.

April 3, 2025

Retirement Announcement

House Bill 1 was recently signed into law.  The bill made no changes to the benefits of current members or retirees of PERS.

The bill established Tier 5, which means a new benefit structure for future employees. The new benefit provisions only apply to PERS-covered employees hired March 1, 2026, and later. HRM will provided additional information to affected employees.

The bill also contained modifications to the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP).  Specifically, it proposes that each participant in the ORP will contribute 9% of their total earned compensation monthly. The employer's contribution will be reallocated as follows:

  • For employees hired before July 1, 2025, 14.9% of the participant's total earned compensation will be applied to the participant's retirement account.
  • For employees hired on or after July 1, 2025, 9% of the participant's total earned compensation will be applied to the participant's retirement account.
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