SEPTEMBER 2014

« Last Month Next Month »

Healthy and Fit

September is National Cholesterol Education Month

Too much cholesterol in the blood stream leads to blockages that can cause heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. And you can have high cholesterol without even knowing it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report 71 million American adults have high cholesterol but only one-third of them have the condition under control. That's why it's important to talk to your doctor about your levels.

How can you prevent or treat high cholesterol?

The CDC recommends making lifestyle changes by:

  • Eating a healthy diet. Avoid saturated fats and trans fats, which tend to raise cholesterol levels. Unsaturated fats, found in avocados, nuts, canola and olive oils, can actually lower your blood cholesterol levels. Eating high-fiber foods also can help lower cholesterol.
  • Exercising regularly. Physical activity can help lower cholesterol. The Surgeon General recommends that adults engage in moderate-intensity exercise for 2 hours and 30 minutes every week.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can raise your cholesterol levels. Losing weight can help lower your cholesterol.
  • Not smoking. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible.

Resources:

Read more about foods that help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Source: WebMD

The Unworkout: 7 Ways to Get Fit Having Fun

Has your workout become too much like work? Does just thinking about working out make you want to lie down? You know the benefits of exercise, but mustering the energy to move your body is another matter. It sounds like you need to start an unworkout. Read More…

Source: WebMD

Fight the Flu

When the flu strikes, it can spread fast, especially at the office. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu vaccinations are the single best way to keep the flu out of the office. Read the latest questions and answers about the seasonal flu shot from the CDC.

Good to Know:

  • Overall well-being is the best way to prevent the flu: eat right, drink water, be active, sleep soundly, watch the stress and wash your hands.
  • Get a flu shot. Flu shots are 100% covered as preventive care under all BMC medical plan options.

Healthy Recipes

Skinny Slow Cooker Recipes

Try something new tonight with these easy-prep and healthy slow cooker recipes, from lip-smacking sloppy joes to no-oven lasagna. Each meal is less than 400 calories per serving, giving your family good nutrition and great taste. Read More…

 

Source: Better Homes & Gardens

Healthy Tailgating Recipes

Score a touchdown with these healthy dishes for game-day—whether you're in the stadium parking lot or on your couch in front of the TV!

 

Source: Eating Well

Resources:

Read tips for terrific tailgating from WebMD.

Stay Updated

Sign up to receive text alerts and never miss an important benefits or wellness update. From enrollment reminders to important 401(k) information and benefits updates, you can be the first to know when your attention or action is required.

Mark Your Calendar:
Annual Enrollment Starts Nov. 3

It's fall! And that means Annual Enrollment time is a little over a month away. Here are four quick and easy ways to prepare for your annual opportunity to choose or change your benefits for 2015.

  1. Think it through. Does your medical coverage still meet your needs? Did your salary change? Are you thinking about lowering your paycheck costs? Did you have a major life change—got married, had a baby?
  2. Update your home address: Make sure you don't miss out on important benefits updates for 2015. Go to Employee Direct Access now to make sure your home address on file with BMC is current.
  3. Sign up for text alerts* and never miss an important benefits enrollment reminder, action item or update. To subscribe, text BMCBENEFITS to 25827from your mobile phone.

    *Text messaging fees may apply depending on your mobile phone plan.

  4. Watch your email for information about the 2015 Annual Benefits Enrollment.

Volunteers Wanted to Champion Wellness

U.S. Corporate Benefits is looking for a few enthusiastic employees to become volunteer Wellness Champions. If you're passionate about wellness with a knack for motivating others, we have a role for you. Wellness Champions will help us spread the word about the new wellness program BMC will introduce early in 2015.

Wellness Champions will bring great ideas, leadership, and local site knowledge to help other BMC employees get connected to wellness at BMC. Typical duties include coordinating biometric screenings at your site, and communicating upcoming events and program details to co-workers. If you are interested in promoting health and wellness at your location, email us at bbenefit@bmc.com by November 14th and tell us why you would like to be a Wellness Champion. Openings are limited, so don't delay.

September EAP Webinar: Bullying

Bullying is when a person or group repeatedly tries to harm someone who is weaker or who they think is weaker. Sometimes it involves direct attacks such as hitting, name calling, teasing or taunting. Sometimes it is indirect, such as spreading rumors or trying to make others reject someone. Your Magellan EAP invites you to a complimentary webinar, “Bullying Awareness,” on Wednesday, October 8, from 1 to 2 p.m., Central. Space is limited, so be sure to register now.

Resources:

The American Psychological Association's website features hints and tips for preventing bullying at school, work, and online. Read More…

Your Spending Account™ Website
Gets a Makeover

An updated Your Spending Account™(YSA) website debuts on Monday, October 6 with a new look and time-saving features. The enhanced website features simplified navigation and includes key pages from the UMB Bank website. These new features will make it easier to manage your Health Savings Account through one website.

Check out the enhanced YSA website starting October 6 at mybmcrewards.com > Visit My Spending Accounts.

Tuition Reimbursement Helps You Learn While You Earn

BMC offers the Tuition Reimbursement Program to encourage you to continue your education. It's our way to help you improve your job performance or prepare you for your next job at BMC. The BMC Tuition Reimbursement Program offers up to $5,500 per calendar year for college-level studies (undergraduate and graduate) for active, full-time employees.

Before you register for college classes, be sure to review the How to Request Tuition Reimbursement step-by-step guide. You must complete the pre-approval process on the Your Spending Account (YSA) website. Your manager or director must also sign a pre-approval form that you submit to YSA.

Questions about Tuition Reimbursement? Call YSA at 1-877-BMC-4849, Option 2—Your Spending Account.

Retirement Week Wrap-Up

More than 300 BMC employees in Houston, Austin and San Jose participated in retirement savings and planning information sessions during Retirement Week in August. Employees attended on-site sessions or webinars hosted by Fidelity. Retirement Week topics included how to boost retirement savings, develop a retirement income plan, and more.

The week also featured retirement-themed board games to test employees' retirement savings savvy. Besides learning more about saving for retirement, 12 employees walked away from Retirement Week with a prize. Prize winners included:

Rosalinda G. and Chris B.Football tickets
Nikki R. , May B. and Tony P.Quicken Deluxe
Linda B., LeJoy L. and Sharlotte M.Kindle Fire HD
Marshall W.Dave Ramsey book
Holly J., Amanpreet D. and Martin D.Samsung Galaxy 3 Lite
Cedric R.iPad Air

Freedom Funds Make 401(k) Investing Simple

The BMC 401(k) Plan features many investment options. Having so many options can be overwhelming if you aren't an investing whiz. That's why our 401(k) includes target date funds called Fidelity Freedom® Funds. One of the 20 Fidelity Freedom Funds could be the right choice for you if you'd like a faster, easier way to choose and manage your investments.

Each Freedom Fund starts with a mix of mutual funds geared toward the year you expect to start withdrawing your money for retirement. As time passes, the investment managers gradually shift the investment mix from a greater concentration of high-risk investments to more conservative, low-risk investments. It all happens automatically. It's a no-fuss way to get a solid investment mix.

Freedom Funds are appropriate for anyone — whether you plan to retire in 5, 10, 20, 30, or even 40 years down the road. Just pick the fund with the date closest to when you plan to retire. For example, if you plan to retire at age 65 in 2039, you would consider the 2040 Freedom Fund. Visit the Fidelity Viewpoints website to learn more about how Fidelity manages Freedom Funds.

Disclaimer:

The content on this site includes links to tools and information that are not the property of BMC Software, and BMC Software is not responsible for their accuracy, completeness or continued availability. Some of the material contained in this site is based on official plan documents. It is not, nor is it intended to be, the legal plan document or a contract between the company and any employee or contractor. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this material. In the unlikely event that there is a discrepancy between the site and the official plan documents, the official plan documents will control. BMC Software reserves the right to amend or terminate the plan(s) or program(s) at any time. If you believe the benefits do not describe those available to you, contact the Benefits Center at 877-BMC-4849.

Copyright © BMC Software. All Rights Reserved