February Newsletter

Dear GW Community,

This February is full of opportunities to nurture your heart, boost your health, and strengthen your financial confidence! Explore a variety of resources and events designed to support your overall well-being and personal growth. Join Aetna’s Healthy Intentions webinar to build lasting wellness habits, review our vendor partners' heart health tips, expand your financial know-how with workshops from Fidelity, TIAA, Legal Resources, and Bank of America, and engage with upcoming GW REACH sessions. You’ll also find important details about your 1095-C form.

Don't forget to check out our upcoming events, reminders, and make the most of opportunities to connect 1:1 with our benefits vendor partners.

For questions about any of our benefits programs, please contact us at benefits@gwu.edu.

Be Well,

GW Benefits

Human Resource Management and Development

Get to Know Your Benefits and Well-being Resources

Benefits Spotlight: Aetna Healthy Intentions Webinar

Join Aetna for our first well-being webinar focused on building habits that support your health all year long on Friday, February 20th at 1pm ET. Learn how everyday choices around movement, nutrition, and stress management shape your health, and discover strategies to set realistic personal goals. You’ll leave with practical tools and next steps to help you maintain healthy intentions throughout 2026.

Register to take the first step toward a healthier, more balanced year.

Support Your Heart and Well-Being

Your heart works hard for you every day, and February is the perfect time to return the favor. Heart Health Month is an opportunity to focus on your heart health and overall well-being by building simple, consistent habits like staying active, eating balanced meals, managing stress, and getting enough sleep. Take advantage of the resources below to support your well-being, just one small step this month can help protect your heart for years to come.

Boost Heart Health - Learn practical tips from the GW EAP for managing stress, improving lifestyle habits, and supporting heart health.
The ABC's of Heart and Joint Health - Explore SimpleTherapy exercises and guidance to support heart and joint health through movement and prevention.
Make Your Heart a Priority - Access Health Advocate tips and tools to help you build heart-healthy habits and better understand cardiovascular health.

Building Resilience Through Financial Well-being

Reflect on your own financial well-being this month and take steps to strengthen your financial future. Whether you are planning ahead, navigating life changes, or protecting your finances, building knowledge and confidence can help you make informed decisions and feel more secure. Explore the featured February resources and learning opportunities below to support your financial well-being and build stronger financial habits for the days ahead.

Fidelity: Black History Month Workshops - Join Fidelity’s sessions recognizing Black History Month, featuring financial education and guidance designed to help build long-term financial confidence and support wealth-building goals.
TIAA: Managing Your Finances During and After a Divorce - Learn strategies to help you navigate financial decisions, understand key considerations, and plan for financial stability during and after a major life transition.
Legal Resources: Protecting Loved Ones from Financial Exploitation & Scams - Gain practical tips to help safeguard yourself and your loved ones from fraud, scams, and financial exploitation, and learn how to recognize warning signs and take preventive steps.
Bank of America: Financial Wellness for Changing Times - Explore guidance and insights to help you adapt to changing financial circumstances, build resilience, and make informed financial decisions for today and the future.

Form 1095-C: Your 2025 Medical Coverage

As a reminder, 1095-Cs are now accessible online via the Benefits Enrollment System. If you did not consent to receive your 1095-C electronically, you will also receive a paper version through regular mail on or before March 2, 2026.

This form shows your 2025 medical coverage and can serve as “proof of insurance” for the IRS. You do not need to file it with your tax return, but you may need information from it to complete your taxes.

Who Gets a 1095-C?

Any GW employee who was full-time at any point in 2025 (30+ hours/week)
Anyone enrolled in a GW medical plan in 2025

What’s on the Form?

Part 1: Information about you and GW
Part 2: Coverage offered, affordability, and eligibility
Part 3: Covered individuals (including dependents)

For more information about the Form 1095-C, please visit irs.gov.

GW REACH Program Workshops

Designed specifically for GW faculty and staff, the REACH program gives members an opportunity to engage in workshops that will provide information about student well-being trends, availability of services, and how to make appropriate referrals to those services. You can view or register for the Spring 2026 sessions here!

Don't Miss These Upcoming Events

2PM ET I Tuesday, February 17

Optimizing GLP-1 Outcomes: Why Coaching Matters

2PM ET I Thursday, February 19

Support for Your Elder Caregiving Journey

4PM ET I Thursday, February 19

Emotional Intelligence: The Secret Superpower!

On Demand

Understanding Anxiety

Mark Your Calendar and Check Back Often!

Did you know that we have a GW Benefits events webpage? Be sure to check it out throughout the month as additional opportunities will be added.

Benefits Announcements

Friendly Reminders

On January 1, 2026, GW partnered with Aetna as the new administrator for our medical plans (GW PPO and GW Health Savings Plan). Visit the transition microsite for helpful resources.

Remember to designate and update your Beneficiaries.
Managers, please review any outstanding time off requests.

1:1 Benefit Vendor Appointments

TIAA & Fidelity Retirement Counseling

Retirement plan participants can schedule financial counseling by appointment with TIAA or Fidelity. To book an appointment, call your preferred provider or use the online booking systems listed below:

Fidelity Investments - Make an appointment online or call 800-642-7131.

TIAA - Make an appointment online or call 866-843-5640.

Relax and Rejuvenate

Complimentary Massage Opportunities

Faculty and staff can enjoy free seated massages at Foggy Bottom and Virginia Science and Technology campuses on a first come, first served basis. We would like to accommodate as many colleagues as possible, so if you have already received a seated massage in the last few months, we ask that slots for the dates below be reserved for colleagues who have not yet received one. Thanks for your consideration!

VSTC -

Enterprise Hall

Tuesday, February 24

Reserve Your Spot!

Foggy Bottom -

University Student Center

Wednesday, February 25

Reserve Your Spot!

CONNECT WITH US!

GW Benefits
44983 Knoll Square, Suite 391
Ashburn, VA 20147
Phone: (571) 553-8382

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