On February 25, 2025, Health Alliance announced they would be closing their commercial insurance activities at the end of calendar year 2025. If you are a current UIUC employee who uses the Health Alliance plan as your medical insurance provider, these events affect you.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) significantly altered the tax landscape when it was enacted in 2017, but it included a “sunset” provision that goes into effect December 31, 2025. With divided control of Congress and an election ahead, planning for what might happen is very uncertain. Let’s the possible scenarios that could unfold, and how to plan for uncertainty.
Long-term care planning is a critical yet complex process that intersects finances, family, health, values, and emotions. Understanding the nuances of long-term care costs, funding options, and non-financial considerations ensures that clients are prepared for future needs and maintaining peace of mind.
Next month is open enrollment for University of Illinois health plans, and employees will have an opportunity to reevaluate which plan is best for them and their families. The goal is to strike a balance between managing out-of-pocket costs and optimizing financial benefits. How do you do that? We give you some factors to consider.
As accounts have transitioned from TD Ameritrade to Schwab, familiarizing yourself with Schwab's website can make your monitoring easier. Here are some tips to maximize the features now available through Schwab's platform.
If the standard account names are causing confusion, you can easily change them. Navigate to the Account Groups section by clicking on the Profile icon and selecting it from the dropdown menu. Here, you can add and edit account nicknames and group accounts together for better organization.
Download the app for quick and easy access to view your accounts. Our favorite feature? The app makes it easy to deposit checks without running to the bank or Bluestem’s office with the mobile deposit feature.
Want to give your spouse access to your Schwab accounts through their login? It’s simple! Click on the Profile icon and select Account Access from the dropdown menu. This will take you to the Account Access page where you can initiate the process by clicking on the green button. If you encounter any difficulties, reach out to us, and we can prepare a form for you to sign instead.
Missed an email from us to sign account paperwork? Most documents requiring a signature or approval can be accessed conveniently in the Message Center. Look for this icon on the Schwab website:
Reduce clutter and environmental impact by going paperless. Whether through the app or website, it's easy to update your preferences. Simply click on the Profile icon, select the paperless option from the dropdown menu, and make the switch.
Say hello to our neighbors!
The Village: Mental Health Support for Parents just opened their first physical location next-door to us last year! In this guest blog post, Ann Ambrose, facilitator at The Village illustrates the inspiration behind their mission to support parents in the community and women in academia.
Many industries in the last few years have had their services or products impacted by supply-chain issues or labor shortage issues. The world of public accounting, tax preparation, and CPA services have been no different. Don’t wait until the last minute to come up with a plan to find help with tax preparation!
