Just like your window screens need a good scrub each spring, your vital information also needs periodic check-ins. Here’s a start for shaking the cobwebs out of your basics.

Secure Your Passwords

Hackers have many ways to mine and test multiple passwords from sites where you work, shop, bank and do business online. If they find a match anywhere, it can lead to a domino effect in your online accounts, with a potential loss of money, identity and security.

In general, set strong passwords and you won’t have to change them frequently. Additionally, set a unique password for every online account you have. It can be tedious, but it also protects from the domino effect.

U-M’s Safe Computing Center offers sound advice on securing all of your personal devices.

Create or Review Your Will

If you don’t have a will or estate plan, it’s a good time to create one. Through July 31, 2020, MetLife Legal Plans (formerly Hyatt Legal Plans) is offering U-M faculty and staff free access to its self-help library for the completion of wills, living wills/advanced directives and power of attorney documents. This access applies to all employees, even if you aren’t members of MetLife Legal Plans.

For online access:

• Go to info.legalplans.com and enter access code 9790010.

• In the Covered Services Tab, click on Self-Help Documents.

If you have U-M’s optional life insurance benefit or are enrolled in the Legal Services Plan, you already have free access to wills and living wills/advanced directives planning, and you aren’t limited by the July 31 deadline. If you aren't enrolled, apply for optional life insurance at any time. You can sign up for the Legal Services Plan during open enrollment in October for coverage effective 
January 1.

Take an Investment Temp

Take the temperature of your investments – are they running hot, cold or right where you want them? A TIAA or Fidelity adviser can help assess your holdings. Remember – every U-M employee can meet with these advisers at no charge as part of their participation in the Basic Retirement Plan.

Remember Your Beneficiaries

When evaluating any financial asset, make sure your beneficiary information is current for your retirement accounts and life insurance policies. It takes just a few minutes here – and can save considerable money, stress and family strife.

Review the Basics

U-M needs to know when your life changes, too. For example, when you add to your family, it can affect your insurance. Or if something unexpected happens, the university should have quick access to your emergency contacts.

The basics are housed in Wolverine Access. A couple of minutes and a few clicks can update the information below and ensure you and U-M can easily connect, when needed.

• Sign up for U-M Emergency Alerts

Wolverine Access > Employee Self-Service > Campus Personal Information > UM Emergency Alerts

• Change Your Address

Wolverine Access > Employee Self-Service > Campus Personal Information > Addresses

• Add/Change Your Emergency Contacts

Wolverine Access > Employee Self-Service > Campus Personal Information > Emergency Contacts

• Add/Change Life Events

Wolverine Access > Employee Self-Service > Benefits Enrollment > Initiate Life Event Elections