June 2026

New and Improved Retirement Education Virtual Workshops

IPERS and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach are offering new virtual workshops for members at any point in their retirement journey. Whether you are just getting started in a career in public service or are counting down the days until you meet an IPERS rule, there's a workshop for you. These workshops are intended to replace the Ready, Set, Retire day-long seminar that was previously offered through IPERS.

Learn more and register to attend and upcoming workshop.

Exciting Update: A New Teladoc Health Experience Is Coming Soon!

Changes are on the way - designed with your health and convenience in mind.

If you’re currently using Livongo, you’ll soon experience a seamless transition as Livongo and Teladoc Health come together under one unified brand and platform. The goal? To make managing your health even easier, more personalized, and more connected than ever before.

What This Means for You

The great news: your program isn’t changing - just improving.

• Same trusted diabetes management or diabetes prevention support

• Same connected devices

• Same personalized coaching

• Same valuable benefits

You’ll simply access everything through the Teladoc Health website and mobile app instead of Livongo.

There’s nothing you need to do right now. In the coming weeks, when your new account is ready, you’ll receive an email from Livongo with simple instructions on how to create your Teladoc Health account. Your existing data, coaching history, insights, etc., will automatically transfer, so you can pick up right where you left off.

Not Enrolled Yet? Now Is the Perfect Time

While this transition is exciting for current participants, it’s also a great opportunity for others to take advantage of these powerful health programs that are available at no cost to you and your spouse/dependents.

Diabetes Management Program

For those living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, this program provides:

• Connected glucose monitoring with real-time insights

• Unlimited access to expert coaches

• Personalized tips to help manage blood sugar

• Ongoing support at no additional cost to eligible members

It’s designed to make managing diabetes simpler, more proactive, and less stressful - helping you stay in control every day.

Diabetes Prevention Program

For those who have been told they are at risk for diabetes or want to take a proactive approach to their health, this program can help:

• Build healthier habits with guided coaching

• Improve nutrition and physical activity

• Achieve sustainable weight loss goals

• Reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Prevention is powerful, and small changes today can lead to lasting health benefits tomorrow.

Stay Tuned!

Current users: watch your inbox for your transition email with next steps and learn more about the upcoming experience.

Interested in getting started? Now is a great time to explore your eligibility and enroll in either the Diabetes Management or Diabetes Prevention program.

Your health journey just got even more connected and more supported than ever before!

Simple Ways to Protect Your Skin This Summer

With the official start of summer just around the corner, we can expect sunnier days, too. It’s important to take steps to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.  Get all of your sun safety 101 tips.

• Performance Review Guide for Employees 

• Performance Review Process Overview for Employees (on-demand course) 

• Performance Review Guide for Supervisors 

• Performance Review Process Overview | Supervisor Webinars (on-demand recording) 

• Workday for Supervisors | Perform 

Secure Your Future: Why Retiring Later Starts Now

When inflation spikes and budgets tighten, pausing your retirement contributions can be tempting. However, staying the course during economic downturns is one of the smartest long-term financial moves you can make. Here is why keeping your focus on the future pays off, along with a few practical ways to free up room in your budget today.

Staying Invested

• The Magic of Compound Interest: Think of it as your money-making money. Over time, even small, consistent contributions can help build a substantial nest egg.

• Buying "On Sale": Trying to time the market is incredibly difficult, and jumping out can mean missing the inevitable rebound. When the market is down, mutual fund shares are essentially "on sale." Your regular contribution dollars buy more shares, positioning you for stronger long-term growth when the market recovers.

Shift your Budget

If your budget is feeling tight, try these quick strategy shifts instead of pausing your retirement savings:

• Automate Your Savings: Participate in RIC and set your retirement contribution to deduct automatically from your paycheck, so you never have to think about it.

• Audit Your Subscriptions: Review your statements and cancel any streaming services, apps, or gym memberships you haven't used in the last month.

• Remove Saved Payment Info: Make online impulse shopping harder by deleting your credit card, PayPal, or Apple Pay details from retail websites. Adding that extra step can be just enough to curb unnecessary spending.

We’re Here to Help

Economic ups and downs are normal, but you don't have to navigate them alone. The Retirement Investors' Club (RIC) has providers available to help you build a strategy that fits your life. Visit the RIC website or contact your specific RIC provider today for personalized guidance, tools, and resources. Tough economic times don't last, but your retirement needs will. Prioritize your future self today!

RIC offers free monthly webinars for state employees led by the RIC team and the providers. Check out the RIC Financial Webinar Calendar for a listing of all webinars. You are welcome to join sessions during your designated lunch hour or scheduled breaks.

Preview of Upcoming Webinars:

• Retirement Pathfinder | June 2

• Understanding IPERS and your Retirement Plan at Work | June 2

• Envision and plan for your best retirement | June 9

• Retirement Readiness | June 16-26

• Financial Wellness Workshop | Q2: June 17

• Your Journey to Retirement-RIC webinar (previously part of Ready, Set, Retire) | June 18

• Retirement goals over 40 | June 23

• IPERS and 457/Deferred Comp: Get Started Now or Retire Now (Co-sponsored Event) | July 7

We will discuss the importance of IPERS, Social Security, and Deferred Compensation. All state employees are invited to attend and can do so during working hours, if their workload allows and with supervisor approval.

Foster relationships and new connections

Explore research-backed insights and practical steps for strengthening lifelong well-being through your connection with others. For many people, planning for their future starts with money. But there's another part of your future worth planning for — and it starts with staying connected. Strong social connections are positively correlated with cognitive health, reduced risk of serious illness, and a longer life.

Read more about social connections 

Protect Your Retirement Account: Avoid Common Scams

Scams targeting retirement accounts are increasingly common and convincing. Fraudsters often create a false sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly, click links, or share personal information.

Common Scams to Watch For

• Phishing & Fake Sites: Emails, texts, or realistic websites designed to steal your credentials.

• Impersonation Calls: Scammers posing as financial institutions or "customer support" asking for login info or verification codes.

• Rollover Scams: Pressure tactics urging you to move your money immediately.

How to Safeguard Your Iowa RIC Account at Empower

The most effective defense is registering for online access, which allows you to monitor activity and receive important alerts. Protect your hard-earned savings by following these steps:

• Monitor regularly: Log in frequently to review account activity.

• Strengthen credentials: Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).

• Keep data private: Never share passwords or verification codes with anyone.

• Stay updated: Keep your contact information current, and regularly update your devices, browsers, and security software.

The Empower Security Guarantee: Empower is committed to safeguarding your savings and will restore losses resulting from unauthorized activity, provided the activity occurred through no fault of the account holder, according to program terms.¹

Take Action Today

Register your account and make sure your contact details are up to date. Get started and review Security Tips for additional ways to help protect your retirement savings.

¹ For full conditions, visit empower.com and click "Security center" at the bottom of the page.

Make this Summer Count for your Retirement

Summer is often a season for vacations, family time and enjoying a slower pace of life, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to focus on your financial future. With schedules often more flexible during the summer months, now is an ideal time to meet with a financial representative to start or review your retirement plan.

Whether you are just beginning your career, nearing retirement or somewhere in between, regular retirement planning can help ensure your goals stay on track. A summer review allows you to evaluate your current savings, adjust contributions, discuss market changes and make updates based on life events or future plans.

Even small adjustments today can make a meaningful difference tomorrow. Taking time now to review your retirement strategy can provide greater confidence and peace of mind for the years ahead.

Don’t wait for the end of the year — use this summer to invest in your future by contacting your Horace Mann representative today.

Are your investments working for your future?

Saving for retirement is an important first step—but how your money is invested can make a big difference in reaching your goals. Taking time to review your investment strategy can help ensure your retirement savings stay on track.

Check your investment mix. Your investments should reflect how long you have until retirement and your comfort with market changes. A diversified mix of investments can help balance growth and risk over time.

Consider a simplified approach. If you’re unsure how to choose investments, you have options in your plan, called target date funds, that adjust automatically over time, helping keep your portfolio aligned with your goals.

Review your investments regularly. Changes in your life or career may mean it’s time to revisit your strategy and make adjustments.

Act today by logging in to your Iowa Retirement Investors’ Club (RIC) account to review your investment elections.