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List items for HRExpress - Aug. 2026 - Health & Well-Being
Better sleep, more movement, healthier eating, and less stress … sounds great, right?
You have access to everything you need to reset and refocus through Wellmark Connect powered by WebMD®. Best of all, it’s free for all covered employees and spouses as part of your State of Iowa health plan administered by Wellmark® Blue Cross® and Blue Shield®.
Available inside your myWellmark® member portal, this confidential resource helps identify personal health needs and then delivers recommended tools and content that aligns with your goals and readiness.
Read this short article, Jenny’s path to better health, to learn about a typical experience using Wellmark Connect.
You can always see what’s included and how to get started by scanning the Wellmark Connect Lookbook. View it now to set realistic health goals, stay motivated and make progress at your own pace!
Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Blue Cross® Blue Shield®, and the Cross and Shield symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. Wellmark® is a registered mark of Wellmark, Inc. WebMD® is a registered mark of WebMD Health Services Group, Inc. WebMD is owned by a separate company and provides wellness services on behalf of Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Looking for practical ways to support your health and well-being? Acentra, the State of Iowa's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, offers free on-demand seminars covering a variety of health and well-being topics.
Access seminars here, enter Company Code: IOWA, and select E-Learning.
Available Now | Resilience Reset: 5 Ways to Thrive Through Change
Learn proven techniques to manage competing demands, maintain balance, and build resilience without burnout.
Available Aug. 18 | Connected, Not Consumed: Digital Wellness Strategies
Discover practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries with technology, improving focus, reducing distractions, managing screen time, and creating more meaningful connections.
In addition to online seminars, the EAP offers confidential support services at no cost to employees and eligible family members. Visit the DAS Employee Assistance Program webpage to learn more about the resources available to you.
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Back to topRetirement Benefits & Savings
List items for HRExpress - Aug. 2026 - Retirement Benefits & Savings
With the rising cost of living, higher grocery bills, and fluctuating gas prices, saving for retirement may feel more challenging than ever. Even so, small, intentional steps today can make a meaningful difference to your long-term financial security.
Now is a great time to take another look at your finances and determine whether you're saving as much as you comfortably can each paycheck.
Assess your retirement goals
Think about the lifestyle you hope to enjoy in retirement. Consider your anticipated living expenses, travel plans, healthcare costs, and other goals. Keep in mind that your IPERS pension does not include cost-of-living adjustments after retirement, so inflation can reduce your purchasing power over time. Building additional savings through your Retirement Investors' Club (RIC) account can help prepare you for those future costs.
Review your current finances
Take an honest look at your budget by reviewing your monthly income, essential expenses, outstanding debt, and current savings. This can help you identify an amount you can comfortably contribute each pay period without putting unnecessary strain on your day-to-day finances.
Remember, your contribution amount doesn't have to stay the same forever. It's okay to adjust your savings as your financial situation changes.
Save what you can
If your income has increased recently, consider increasing your RIC contribution so your retirement savings grow alongside your paycheck. Log in to Workday to review your current contribution amount and make any changes that fit your budget.
Even a small increase today can make a meaningful difference over time thanks to the power of long-term investing.
The Retirement Investors' Club (RIC) offers free monthly webinars presented by the RIC team and plan providers. Employees are welcome to attend during their designated lunch hour or scheduled breaks.
Upcoming webinars
Eight steps toward retirement confidence
Saving for retirement is only part of the equation. Equally important is knowing how to turn your savings into reliable income once you retire.
Pre-tax vs. Roth contributions
One of the most important retirement decisions isn't just how much you save—it's how your contributions are taxed.
The Iowa Retirement Investors' Club (RIC) through Empower allows you to make:
- Traditional pre-tax contributions
- Roth after-tax contributions
- A combination of both
Traditional pre-tax contributions
Pre-tax contributions are deducted before federal and state income taxes, which may reduce your taxable income today. Your savings grow tax-deferred, and you generally pay taxes when you withdraw the money in retirement.
Roth contributions
Roth contributions are made after taxes have been withheld. While they don't lower your taxable income today, qualified withdrawals in retirement—including earnings—may be federally tax-free if IRS requirements are met.
Which option is right for you?
A pre-tax contribution may be a good choice if you want tax savings today or expect to be in a lower tax bracket during retirement.
A Roth contribution may be beneficial if you expect your tax rate to remain the same or increase over time, or if you'd like greater tax flexibility in retirement. Younger employees may also benefit from the potential for decades of tax-free growth.
Many participants choose a combination of to diversify their future tax options.
Log in to your Empower account to review your current elections and consider speaking with a qualified tax professional to determine what works best for your individual situation.
Life changes – and your beneficiary designations may need to, as well
Life changes—and your beneficiary designations should, too.
Whether you've gotten married, divorced, welcomed a child or grandchild, or experienced the loss of a loved one, it's important to review the beneficiaries listed on your life insurance and retirement accounts. Even if nothing significant has changed, reviewing your designations every few years is a smart financial habit.
Keeping your beneficiary information current helps ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes and can prevent unnecessary delays or confusion for your loved ones.
If you haven't reviewed your beneficiaries recently, log in to your Horace Mann accounts to confirm your designations are up to date. Your local Horace Mann representative can also assist if you have questions.
Stay focused during market ups and downs
Market fluctuations are a normal part of investing. Staying focused on your long-term goals can help you avoid making emotional decisions during periods of market volatility.
- Avoid reacting to short-term market changes. Decisions made during periods of uncertainty can affect long-term results.
- Keep your retirement goals in focus. Your investment strategy should reflect your timeline and long-term objectives.
- Review your account periodically. Regular check-ins can help ensure your investments remain aligned with your goals.
Visit the Iowa RIC website to learn more and stay connected to your retirement plan.
HRExpress is a publication for State of Iowa employees. For prior editions, visit the HRExpress webpage. If you have questions or suggestions for future content, please contact us at [email protected].
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