This session provides employees with a practical overview of the Empower retirement platform and the deferred compensation savings options available to them through the 457(b) and 457 Roth plans.

Participants will learn how to access and navigate the Empower website, review their account balances, update contribution elections, and explore available investment options. The training will also cover the key differences between the traditional 457(b) and the 457 Roth, helping employees make informed decisions about which option — or combination of both — best fits their retirement goals.

Note: This is an In-Person presentation with live presentation/audience in Abilene that is going to be broadcast to all the campuses.

Location:  Room 212 in the ITC building on the Abilene Main Campus

Anxiety is a common emotion that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. It can range from mild to severe, and influence how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. But when anxiety becomes overwhelming or persistent, it can interfere with daily activities and overall wellbeing. 

Whether you’re looking to gain a better understanding of anxiety, learn about newer strategies to improve mental wellbeing such as through nutrition or the Japanese practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu, or simply improve your productivity, this seminar will offer something for you by introducing practical strategies and techniques to effectively cope with and reduce anxiety in your daily life, and cultivate a healthier mindset. 

Reflection Guide

In today’s 24/7 digital culture, stress levels remain significantly higher than a decade ago according to Gallup, making the ability to truly relax a critical yet lost skill. This interactive workshop teaches you the key differences between relaxation and stress management techniques while guiding you through three proven techniques that promote physical relaxation and improve mental clarity. You’ll build a personalized toolkit of practical relaxation techniques that work anywhere – from mindful single tasking to creating meaningful tech free zones – leaving you with applicable skills to transform how you respond to stress.

Participant Guide

This training session, presented by a representative from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), provides employees with a foundational understanding of their state retirement benefits. Designed as an introductory overview, this session is ideal for employees at any stage of their career,  whether newly hired and just getting started or a seasoned employee planning for the years ahead.

TRS administers a defined benefit pension plan for eligible Texas public education and state agency employees. Unlike a 401(k) or deferred compensation plan, a defined benefit plan provides a guaranteed monthly retirement income based on years of service and salary history, rather than on individual investment performance. This session will help employees understand how that benefit is calculated, when they may be eligible to receive it, and what steps they can take now to prepare.

This session presented by Voya Financial, offers employees a practical and approachable look at overall financial wellness. Going beyond retirement savings alone, this session is designed to help employees understand the 6 pillars of finanical wellness, assess their current financial health, identify areas for growth, and build habits that support long-term financial stability and confidence.

Voya Financial is a leading provider of health, wealth, and investment solutions, and this session draws on their expertise to deliver relevant, actionable guidance for employees at every income level and stage of life. No prior financial knowledge is required — this session meets employees where they are and provides straightforward tools and strategies they can begin using right away.

Positive psychology focuses on enhancing well-being and helping an individual flourish. It aims to create a more balanced psychology that encompasses the wholeness of the human experience. Several researches on happiness have been conducted based on the concept of positive psychology to understand what allows people to flourish, be more resilient and increase their perception of happiness. Scientists found that when referring to happiness, we need to look at positive feelings and overall life satisfaction which is largely attributable to intentional activities. In other words, we must empower ourselves to create our own happiness. In this seminar, participants will learn strategies to increase happiness through intentional activities.

Reflection Guide

Inflation can have various effects on our finances. In this webinar, we will discuss how to manage changes in your expenses, debt, savings, and investments when there are changes in inflation. We will discuss the effects of inflation on income, savings, debt and expenses. We will also identify strategies that can help adjust your budget according to inflation.

Reflection Guide

In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, burnout has emerged as a critical challenge affecting organizations and employees worldwide. When left unaddressed, the unintended consequences can not only impact personal wellbeing, but it can also increase organisation costs caused by increased turnover and productivity decline. By addressing both the individual and organizational aspects of burnout, this interactive program provides participants with a comprehensive approach to building a more sustainable and balanced work life. Practical exercises and focused discussions help participants learn strategies to create better balance by setting healthy workplace boundaries and managing workloads in high pressure environments, including the challenges of navigating a culture of urgency when priorities may be unclear.

Reflection Guide