HRExpress - September 2026

The Open Enrollment period for 2027 benefits begins Monday, Oct. 5, and runs through 5:00 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, in Workday.

Employees will receive directions and resources by email in a special edition of the October HRExpress newsletter on Monday, Oct. 5.

If you take no action during the Open Enrollment period, your 2026 benefit elections will automatically roll over for 2027 - except for healthcare or dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs). Employees must re-enroll each year to participate in either FSA plan.

Even if you don’t make any benefit changes, employees are encouraged to take this opportunity to review and/or update your beneficiary designations.

Watch for the October issue of HRExpress in your mailbox on Oct. 5.

Just as physical first aid teaches you how to address an injury, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) equips you to support someone who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis.

In this valuable course, you will learn to identify warning signs, approach situations with empathy, and connect colleagues to appropriate professional help. We encourage all employees to consider this training to help us build supportive workplace culture.

Course Details:

• Format: Hybrid (approx. 2 hours online pre-work + 1 full-day in-person workshop)

• Cost: $40

• Upcoming Dates: Sep. 9, 2026 | Dec. 9, 2026 | March 24, 2027 | June 23, 2027

Register today!

Did you know PDS offers monthly supervisor webinars on a variety of topics?

Each month, PDS offers a live webinar designed to provide supervisors with practical information, tools, and resources they can use in their work. Webinars are recorded, allowing supervisors to watch missed sessions or revisit topics.

Save the Date! September Webinar: Managing Strong Emotions: For Managers

Mark your calendars for Sept. 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Join Acentra Health EAP for an upcoming session designed to help supervisors navigate strong emotions and tense situations in the workplace. Participants will learn to recognize signs of potential emotional outbursts, support employees in crisis, and use effective de-escalation techniques. The session will also cover strategies for managing your own emotions and maintaining a professional demeanor during challenging situations.

Presented by: Christine Walchuk, Acentra Health EAP Subject Matter Expert

Register for the 9:00 a.m. session  |  Register for the 1:00 p.m. session

Recorded Supervisor Webinars

Did you miss the July or Augusts webinars? Recordings are now available for The Supervisor’s Guide to Engagement Data and Substance Abuse Policy Guidelines for Supervisors.

Visit the PDS website for a full list of available webinar recordings and topics.

Join us for a one-hour webinar with Acentra Health to learn more about the free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits available to you. During this interactive session, you’ll learn how to access counseling services, work-life resources, financial and legal support, and more. Whether you’re looking to manage stress, improve work-life balance, or simply better understand your benefits, this overview will give you the tools and confidence to make the most of your EAP.

Oct. 13, 2026  |  1:00 – 2:00 p.m.  |  Virtual via Teams  |  ENROLL

The annual One Gift Campaign is almost here! The One Gift program gives State of Iowa employees the opportunity to contribute to participating charitable agencies through payroll deduction.

To donate in 2027, submit your pledge in Workday between Sept. 8 and Oct. 2, 2026. Instructions to submit your pledge can be found in the One Gift Smart Guide. (For DOT employees, please refer to your One Gift Job Aid.) A paper pledge form is available for those without computer or Workday access.

If you have any questions, please contact your agency's One Gift Liaison.

Please consider pledging to One Gift, because "Together, we can make a difference!"

If life seems like it’s on autopilot, you may be experiencing a state known as burnout: a feeling of exhaustion or apathy that over time can negatively impact overall mood and health. How can you find your spark, renew your outlook and feel like yourself again? Watch the new Preventing and Addressing Burnout webinar to learn about:

• Common types of burnout and their causes, including stress or fatigue at work and home

• Recognizing the signs of burnout in yourself and others, and understanding its impacts

• Strategies for self-care, including burnout prevention, coping and recovery

Register for the webinar now and watch it any time.

(Approximate run time: 50 minutes)

As we head into the 2026 tax season, employees are encouraged to elect electronic W-2 forms in Workday instead of receiving them by mail. Electronic W-2s offer several benefits, including earlier access to the document, convenient access and storage, and enhanced security of your personal information.

To ensure your W-2 election is recorded before W-2 forms are printed and mailed, please update your preferences in Workday by Jan. 1, 2027. Once selected, paper W-2s will not be mailed unless consent is revoked in a future tax year.

Refer to the W-2 Smart Guide for more detailed instructions.

1. Review available resources, including step-by-step guides, presentations, and video training sessions in the Workday Learning Catalog. Check out this Global Search feature clip to learn how to search.

2. Ask a friend. If you know other employees who have the same job responsibilities, ask if they have a solution for you. This is often the easiest and fastest way to address your questions.

3. Create a Support Ticket. Use ServiceNow Plus to create a Workday Support ticket. Review the ServiceDesk Plus Training Docs for help in creating a ticket.

As fall settles in and the leaves begin to turn, it’s a natural moment to reflect on change. We break out the cozy sweaters, plan for football weekends, and enjoy our favorite fall treats—but it’s also a great time to check in on your retirement savings strategy.

Life shifts from season to season, and your financial plan may need to shift with it. Ask yourself: Does my current retirement strategy still align with my income, expenses, and long‑term goals? If not, updating your savings is simple. Through Workday, you can adjust your payroll deductions at any time, choosing how much to contribute and how often.

If you’re unsure how much you should be saving, your RIC advisor can help you evaluate your options and set a path that fits your goals.

This fall, take a moment to review your retirement savings plan so you can look forward to a comfortable future. For step‑by‑step guidance on making updates, visit the RIC Employee Contributions webpage.

Life changes. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the passing of a loved one – can make old beneficiary designations outdated. Without an update, an ex-spouse or someone no longer in your life may still legally receive your retirement funds!

Have you updated (or named) the beneficiaries for your Iowa RIC account(s) at Empower? This simple but important step ensures that your wishes are honored. In the event of your death, your account balance will go to whomever you choose, protecting your loved ones. If you don’t have a designation on file, your funds will be paid to your estate, often requiring court involvement (proceedings? – which works better?).

Naming or updating your retirement program beneficiary, which overrides a will, provides your beneficiary with access to your assets outside of probate. Your assets will pass directly to your beneficiary without going through the court system.

To designate a beneficiary:

• Log in to your account at empower.com/iowaric
• Under Account Review, go to Beneficiaries and follow the prompts

So, take a few minutes today – and save your loved one’s potential trouble tomorrow.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, a good reminder that a strong financial plan isn't just about saving for the future. It's also about protecting what you're building along the way.

Life insurance can be an important part of that foundation. It can help provide financial stability for the people who depend on you, helping replace lost income, cover a mortgage or other debts, manage everyday expenses and support future goals.

And just like other parts of your financial plan, your life insurance needs can change over time. Marriage, a growing family, a new home, a change in income or simply getting closer to retirement can all be reasons to take another look at your coverage.

Life Insurance Awareness Month is a great time to review your coverage and ensure your financial foundation is as strong as possible. In addition to the basic life insurance provided to you as a state employee, you can elect supplemental life insurance. During the upcoming open enrollment period, you’ll have the opportunity to add or increase your supplemental coverage to better meet your needs.  Read more about your State of Iowa life insurance coverage.

Your Iowa RIC Plan offers a variety of tools and resources designed to support you throughout your retirement journey. A great first step is exploring the planning tools—such as calculators and educational resources—that can help you understand where you stand today and where you want to be.

Once you’ve explored these tools, take a moment to review your account details to make sure your information is accurate and up to date. Keeping your account current helps you make informed decisions about your plan options and ensures you’re maximizing the benefits available to you.

Ready to get started? Log in to iowa.beready2retire.com to access your tools, review your account, and make the most of your Iowa RIC Plan.