YOUR BENEFITS, YOUR CHOICE. |
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APRIL 2022 |
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April has been recognized as Stress Awareness month since 1992.While stress is unavoidable for the vast majority, there are many ways to help prevent and manage it. Take a look at these tips for managing stress in your life. Clear Your Head. Learn to dismiss the chatter in your head so you’re free to think, solve problems and get more done in less time. You might even feel less stressed at the end of the day. Try these techniques: Move your body. Take five minutes to walk (preferably outside), climb stairs or stretch out stiff muscles. Getting your blood pumping and your body moving can help settle your thoughts. Visualize. Stop what you’re doing and see yourself completing what you must today successfully. Visualize the task by mentally reviewing the steps you need to get there. Practice deep breathing. As you breathe, put your hand on your stomach; your hand should move in and out. Make your exhale long and peaceful. A few slow breaths can clear the cobwebs and silence your inner chatter. Exercise and Feel Good. Some say regular exercise is the best medicine for emotional well-being. It releases chemicals that help reduce stress and improve sleep, mood and mental clarity — which all lead to a more positive outlook. How much exercise does it take? Not a lot. The standard exercise guidelines for health protection: Get at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity weekly (e.g., brisk walking or fast dancing). Any amount is beneficial; focus on moving more and sitting less. Exercise at a pace that elevates your heart rate; this helps lower cortisol, a hormone linked to stress and anxiety. Also, many studies have shown that yoga, tai chi and other mind-body exercises can significantly improve overall health. They provide a sense of focus and dedication that transfers into all aspects of your life. If you’re tempted to skip a workout, remind yourself that exercise is the key to your overall health and well-being. And it’s never too late to start. |
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Financial Benefits for County Employees |
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Many of us are having to deal with financial stress and uncertainty. Whether your problems stem from escalating debt, unexpected expenses, or a combination of factors, financial worry is one of the most common stressors in modern life. As a County employee, you have access to financial benefits and resources to help you! |
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FREE Financial Services with Claremont EAP |
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Claremont EAP can help get your finances in order! Through the County’s Employee Assistance Program, you can avail of free professional telephonic consultation on a range of important financial issues including:
To speak to a financial specialist, or access other EAP services, please call Claremont at 800-834-3773. |
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FREE Life Services Toolkit with The Standard |
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The County of San Mateo offers employees basic life insurance coverage based on the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Board Resolution. Eligible employees also have the opportunity to increase this coverage at any time of year by creating an Additional Life Insurance event in Workday and completing the online Evidence of Insurability Form. For more information, visit the Benefits website. As a covered employee under The Standard Insurance, you have access to Life Services Toolkit that can help you and your family plan for the future. The resources and tools make it easy to locate services such as pet sitter and schools, create a will online, and calculate cost and savings. The following financial calculators can help you reach or maintain your financial goal:
Visit the Life Services Toolkit website at: standard.com/mytoolkit user name: assurance |
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Plan, Save, and Learn with Empower |
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The 457 deferred compensation plans allow you to save and invest money for retirement with tax benefits. They are designed to supplement your retirement income. While a pension and/or Social Security may go a long way, they are unlikely to be enough. Saving to your 457 plan(s) can help you maintain your desired standard of living. You have the option to contribute on a pre-tax basis and/or Roth after-tax basis, not to exceed IRS annual contribution limits. Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to enroll or change your biweekly contribution amount at any time in Workday. For forms, plan information, education materials and to view your retirement, please visit San Mateo County's page on the Empower website at www.viewmyretirement.com/sanmateocounty Virtual Financial Trainings Join your Empower Representative from 12pm to 1pm for virtual financial trainings designed to help you understand and achieve financial wellness. Sign-up through LMS and earn 1 hour of credit towards your LMS training goal for each session you attend!
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Financial Wellness Partnership with San Mateo Credit Union |
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One of the leading causes of stress and strained relationships is money. That's why County of San Mateo has a long standing partnership with San Mateo Credit Union (SMCU) to provide you with exclusive financial offers, services, and education. Exclusive County Programs Financial Offers
Financial Knowledge
Please visit the page for County of San Mateo employees for more information on how to join and active your exclusive benefits: https://smcu.org/county. |
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Virtual Retiree Health Informational Session |
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Are you Retiring soon or interested in learning more about your Retiree Health options? This class is designed to help you understand Retiree Health Benefits when you decide to retire. Sign-up through LMS
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benefits@smcgov.org| 650-363-1919 | https://hr.smcgov.org/benefits |
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