Benefits Strategy

Jan. 2026: Wellness Resources  

As you start the new year, take time to explore the wellness resources available to you as a WVU employee. Whether you’re prioritizing physical health, mental well-being, or balance in your daily life, there's something for everyone. 

• PEIA Wellness: Employees enrolled in PEIA health insurance have access to a variety of wellness initiatives, including programs focused on weight management, diabetes support and overall healthy living. One such program, Personify, gives PEIA PPB Plan policyholders the opportunity to earn up to $300 in Rewards Cash each year by completing their routine health screenings, taking a Health Assessment, tracking healthy activities and more. 
• Faculty and Staff Assistance Program: This free and confidential service is available to you and your dependents. FSAP provides a supportive environment to discuss personal or work-related concerns and receive helpful referrals and resources.
• Perk’s Membership: Through a free Perk’s membership, you can take advantage of their Active&Fit promotion, which offers discounted gym memberships nationwide. A couple Morgantown locations to note are Planet Fitness and the Aquatic Center at Mylan Park.
• WVU Medicine Wellness: Through a partnership with WVU Medicine, WVU faculty and staff have access to free wellness programs covering a variety of topics. Join a virtual  Mindfulness Meditation session  for a mental reset on Mondays and Wednesdays through March 11.
• Campus Recreation Membership: Available for purchase by all WVU employees, a Campus Rec membership provides access to the Student Recreation Center and the Downtown Fitness Center. Group classes, child care services and the aquatic center are also included.

Feb. 2026: Understanding Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance

Planning ahead and understanding your benefits can help you feel more prepared for the unexpected. In this month’s Benefits Spotlight, we’re focusing on Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurances.

Disability insurance is optional and employee-paid, but it can play an important role in protecting your income during a medical leave of absence when you are unable to work. Both STD and LTD include a waiting period and are designed to replace a portion of your income (not your full paycheck) after that waiting period.

Short-Term Disability (STD) helps replace income during shorter-term medical absences, such as recovery from surgery, illness, or childbirth.

Long-Term Disability (LTD) provides income protection if you are unable to work for a longer period of time due to serious illness, injury, or disability. WVU offers two LTD options, and employees may enroll in only one. LTD is designed to protect your income if you are unable to return to work for an extended period after STD coverage ends, though enrollment in STD is not required to be enrolled in LTD.

Interested in enrolling? Making changes to your benefits is easy during the annual Open Enrollment (OE) period. OE typically begins in April and is the only time of year outside of a qualifying life event that you can add or drop most benefits, including STD and LTD. To help ensure you’re enrolled in the disability coverage that best fits your needs, we encourage you to:

• Review your current elections. The easiest way to view your benefits is by reviewing benefit deductions on your pay statement and referencing the Benefits On Your Pay Statement chart.
• Explore the Disability Insurances offered in greater detail.
• View your leave balances.