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Human Resources

Vassar College

Benefits Fair Information : October 7th, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

posted

All the Things You Need to Know for the 2025 Benefit Year

We are excited to welcome you to an “In Person” Benefits Fair
October 7 from 10am to 4pm in the Villard Room and Multi-Purpose room.

Representatives will be available from:

  • Meritain
  • Delta Dental
  • 1199 SEIU
  • MVP Healthcare
  • Fidelity
  • TIAA
  • Community Works
  • Relph Benefit Advisors Medicare Specialist
  • Vassar Health Services
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Vassar College Store
  • Buddahawak Healing
  • Dutchess County Office of the Aging
  • Alzheimer’s Association
  • Employee Communities Information Table

New Representatives This Year

  • Dr. Mancarella - Chiropractor
  • Pellegrino Healing Center
  • ERG Information Table
  • Optum - RX
  • Mental Heath Assoc of Dutchess County 
  • Poughkeepsie Farm Project

There will be a Support Table to answer any of your questions around general HR inquires, benefits, student employment and payroll

Find Your Favorite Wellness Corner!

This year we will have vendors in both the Multi Purpose and Villard Rooms!

We have a variety of wellness vendors set up in the various corners of both rooms.

Stop by and find the wellness vendors that suits you best!

Become A Flu Fighter!

  • Walgreens will be on site administering Flu Shots for our Vassar employees. Please bring your license and Insurance card.
  • If you are not enrolled in the Vassar sponsored medical coverage, Wallgreens takes most insurance plans!
  • Would you like to save a spot to receive your flu shot? 

Open Enrollment

 Open Enrollment will take place from November 1st through November 30th 

Changes/elections will go into effect on January 1st 2026.

  • You will receive a notice in your Workday inbox with a “task” that will say “Open Enrollment”.
  • Don’t forget that if you elect the Flex Account (FSA) you have to re-elect  it every year to continue participating.
  • If you take the Insurance Waiver Payment for not taking the Vassar sponsored medical coverage,  you will need to re-elect  that as well. 

  Did you have a baby this year? Get married? Move?

  • This is also a great time to review your mailing address, who is listed as a beneficiary on any life insurance plans you may have.
  • The end of year is not that far away and you want to make sure we have your current address for those end of year documents such as the W2.

Benefits Program Updates

  • We are not changing our Medical Insurance providers this year. 
  • Medical insurance program rates have sustained an increase for the 2026 plan year. Rate sheets will be available on the Benefits planform shortly.
  • If you elect a Flexible Spending Account (FLEX), the projected maximum election amount will increase from $3,300 to $3,400, the Transit Accounts are increasing to $340, and the Dependent Care Flex is increasing to $7,500.
  • If you elect a Health Savings Account (HSA), the maximum annual contribution for the Health Savings Account has increased to $4,400 for self only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage. If you are 55 years old and older you may contribute an additional $1,000.
  • The IRS increased the maximum contribution for your 403(b) plan to$24,500 for 2026. If you are 50 years old and older, you can contribute up to an additional $8,000.
  • New this year as a result of Secure 2.0 Act:
    If your age is 60 through 63 by December 31st , you have a higher catch up limit of $11,250. ( It is NOT in addition to the $8,000; it is in replace of the $8,000 catchup limit) This was in effect for the Vassar plan as of August 26, 2025. The catchup limit will increase to $11,500 for 2026. 
  • Mandatory Roth catch-up for higher earners: If your prior-year wages (2025) exceeded $145,000 (as adjusted), any catch-up contributions you make in 2026 must be made to a Roth account using after-tax dollars. This is effective January 1st, 2026.
  • Did you know that you can see a provider virtually for free through Teledoc? You can schedule with a physician, nutritionist, mental health provider, just to name a few, (virtually) though Healthiest You. The best part is you can do it from the comfort of your home. Stop by their table at the Benefits Fair or go to the Human Resource site under Telemedicine  to learn more. (SEIU members please check with 1199 for their telehealth offerings)