HR Q Fall 2025 Benefits Updates
Payroll offered in-person new student employee payroll training
Kennedy and Dallas performing in-person payroll training for Student Employees
Upcoming Events: Health Care & Retirement Benefits
DRS Rate Changes for 2025-2027 Biennium
Employees who are enrolled in a retirement plan under the WA State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) Plan 2 will see a rate change for the 2025-2027 biennium (for PERS plan) and the 2025 school year (TRS plan). This rate change is managed by the Pension Funding Council, with consideration and advice of the WA State Legislation.
Effective July 1st, 2025, there has been a rate change to the employee contribution amount in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The new employee rate for PERS Plan 2 members decreased from 6.36% (2021-2025 biennium rate) to 5.38%. This new rate for PERS plan 2 will be effective until June 30th, 2027. PERS plan 2 members received an email from benefits in July and should refer to that email for more information.
Effective September 1st, 2025, there has been a rate change for faculty members enrolled in the Teacher’s Retirement System (TRS) plan 2 as well. The new employee rate for TRS Plan 2 members decreased from 8.06% (2023-2024 school years) to 7.54%. This new rate for TRS plan 2 will be effective until August 31st, 2026.
Given that the State has elected to decrease Plan 2-member contribution rates, employees who wish to supplement the 1% loss can do so by opening, or increasing, their supplemental retirement accounts. WWU offers two supplemental retirement accounts to employees, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan which is offered through DRS, or the 403(b) Voluntary Investment Program, offered through Fidelity.
Employees can find more information on the two plans on the HR’s Supplemental Retirement Fund webpage.
Health Care (PEBB) Events
Open Enrollment: October 27th – November 24th
PEBB’s annual Open Enrollment period will be starting soon. As we approach this 31-day window, all employees are encouraged to review their PEBB elections and ensure they understand what they need to do during this period. Even if an employee is not making plan election changes, all employees should review the premiums rates for the 2026 plan year.
Employees are advised to read over the communications the Benefits team puts out to alert them of what plan changes are happening for the 2026 plan year. As always, deadlines with the PEBB program are FINAL and cannot be extended, unless the PEBB program themselves extends deadlines.
ALL paperwork for plan changes must be submitted either via Benefits 24/7, to Navia Employee Portal, MetLife or to the Benefits team by 11:59 PM Monday, November 24th, 2025. Submissions after that date will not be accepted.
The PEBB program will be publishing information about their Annual PEBB Open Enrollment Fair closer to October 3rd. Once Benefits has more information on the event communication will go out to employees.
Open Enrollment Drop-in Times: October 28th, November 13th & November 19th
Benefits will be suspending our Wednesday "drop in" hours for October and November, but are opening three (3) drop-in times where Benefits Team Members will be available to help answer questions about plan changes, and help employees make changes via Benefits 24/7, including enrollment or removing dependents. Benefits will also be available to help employees enroll in annual benefits such as the FSA or DCAP benefit via Navia.
It is recommended that employees have logged into and claimed their Benefits 24/7 account prior to attending one of the drop-in times. However, if an employee is having issues, a Team member can help troubleshoot the issue.
Tuesday, October 28th 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Haggard Hall (HH), Room 101 (Computer Lab)
Thursday, November 13th, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Haggard Hall (HH), Room 101 (Computer Lab)
Wednesday, November 19th, 9 AM – 4:00 PM
Humanities Building (HU), Room 210 (Conference Room) - For this drop in, HR will not have computer access for employees, if possible, employees should be their own electronic devices if they need help enrolling online.
2025 Wellness Clinic
Employees and their family members are invited to mark their calendars for the annual Wellness Clinic that HR Benefits host. We have invited the Albertson's Pharmacy back to administer flu, MMR and other immunization shots to our community. The Wellness Clinic will be hosted on the following days at the Viking Union (VU) Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) on.
- Thursday, October 9th
- Wednesday, October 22nd
While drop ins are welcome, it is recommended that employees schedule a time to get their shot done on campus to help the Pharmacist better plan for the amount they need to bring that day. PEBB eligible employees can have these immunizations billed to their insurance carriers, or an employee/family member may pay the cash rate for the service.
More information will be released to employees near the end of September with the scheduler link, immunization shots available and the cash rates for each shot.