MONTHLY FEATURES
Coming in 2026: Introducing the BeWell Voices podcast
Coming this January, stay up-to-date with all the latest HII benefits news and events through a brand new podcast! Tune in every month to listen to a debrief of all the monthly features that the BeWell Bulletin has to offer, plus special topics like how to prepare for retirement, to help you get the most out of your HII benefits.
Feeling the winter blues? You’re not alone
After the sparkle of the holidays winds down and the days stay cold and gray, it’s common to feel a little off. For some people, this shift in season can lead to the ‘winter blues’—or even Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that typically shows up during the dreary colder months. Watch for signs such as low energy, trouble sleeping and feeling down or disconnected from life.
The good news? You don’t have to push through it alone. Your HII mental health benefits are available year-round to help you feel supported—no matter the season.
HERO: HII Employees Reach Out
When you need someone to talk to, HERO offers free, confidential emotional support for personal or work-related challenges. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just need someone to talk to, HERO can connect you to counseling, referrals, and helpful resources. All HII employees and their dependents and household family members are eligible to use the program, and it is 100% free and confidential. HERO representatives are available 24 hours a day to help you.
Teladoc Behavioral Health
Prefer to talk from home? Teladoc connects you with licensed mental health professionals by phone or video—seven days a week. After a quick survey, you can schedule a no-cost appointment with a counselor, therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. Teladoc clinicians can treat conditions like depression and anxiety, and prescribe medications when appropriate (per state telehealth rules and regulations).
Daylight
If worry and anxiety are creeping in this season, Daylight can help. This science-backed app helps you understand and manage anxious thoughts—without medication or meditation. In just two minutes, you’ll discover your anxiety type and start building tools to feel better.
Sleepio
Struggling with sleep this season? Sleepio is an online sleep improvement program that helps you clear your mind, sleep better, and feel more energized—often in just six weeks. Whether you need a few tips or a full sleep reset, Sleepio works with you to fall asleep faster, spend less time awake at night, and function better the next day.
Learn more and get started on hiibenefits.com.
Parenting support during the holidays
The holidays can be hectic, but parenting stress doesn’t have to steal your joy. Your HII benefit RethinkCare offers quick courses and 1:1 parenting consultations to help you address your parenting questions, restore calm, and bring more ease and connection to family life.
Learn more and get started on hiibenefits.com.
Shop smart this holiday season with your HII benefits
Whether you’re looking to wrap up big gifts this year like tablets and phones, or managing unexpected expenses during the holiday season, your HII financial benefits Purchasing Power and Kashable can help. Avoid high interest loans this season, while paying for what you need, through regular payroll deduction.
Purchasing Power
Shopping for electronics like tablets and phones this holiday season? Avoid high-interest credit cards and loans by shopping online with your HII benefit, Purchasing Power. Purchasing Power is an HII-sponsored purchasing program that allows eligible employees to purchase brand-new products that you get right away and pay for over time directly from your paycheck.
Kashable
Whether you’re looking to pay off your holiday spending, manage unexpected expenses or tackle debt, a low-cost loan from Kashable is a great way to get started. Loans are available through an online application with quick decision turnarounds, and funds deposited directly into your bank account within three business days of approval. Repayment is completed through regular payroll deduction.
Learn more and get started on hiibenefits.com.
Quit tobacco since Annual Enrollment? Check to see if you’re eligible to receive the preferred tobacco-free rate
Employees enrolled in an HII medical plan are eligible to receive a preferred tobacco-free rate through the Tobacco Free Incentive Program. If you declared that you are tobacco-free during Annual Enrollment 2025, no action is required from you until spring 2026.
Eligible employees who have quit tobacco or completed a tobacco cessation program since Annual Enrollment 2025, and who did not declare themselves to be tobacco-free during Annual Enrollment 2025 may begin receiving the preferred rate in January if their status is updated by Dec. 31.
Ready to quit? HII offers support options to help you succeed.
We know quitting tobacco can be hard. That’s why your HII benefits include a variety of tobacco cessation programs, so you can find one that works well for you. Each one is designed to give you the help and support you need to quit tobacco for good.
Learn more and get started on hiibenefits.com.
The HII Family Health Centers are here to get you through the holidays
The HII Family Health Centers are open throughout shutdown except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Don’t wait until you’re feeling super sick, schedule an in-person or virtual appointment and enjoy the season.
Learn more and get started on myquadmed.com/hii.
Important Update: Catch-up contributions as Roth starting January 1, 2026 for employees earning more than $150,000
Beginning January 1, 2026, participants whose compensation exceeds $150,000 will be required to make catch-up contributions as Roth.
If you prefer not to make catch-up contributions as Roth, you must select the opt-out option in your Alight Worklife account settings. Navigate to the contribution settings page to review or update your election.
New Super Catch-Up contribution opportunity for ages 60–63
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, participants who are age 60 through 63 will be eligible for an additional Super Catch-Up Contribution to their retirement plan.
What You Need to Know:
- Additional Contribution Limit: Up to $11,250 beyond the standard limits.
- This is in addition to your regular contribution, giving you more opportunity to boost your retirement savings.
- You must be age 60-63 during the 2025-26 plan year to be eligible.
Contribution limits and details will be provided in your Alight Worklife account settings. If you wish to take advantage of this feature, review your contribution elections.
To Roth or not to Roth: You have new options beginning Jan. 1
If you max out your IRS 401(k) limit during the year, your contributions don’t have to stop. After-tax contributions can continue, and—by default—those dollars will automatically flip into Roth inside your plan. This gives your extra savings the chance to grow tax-free.
Starting in January, you’ll have the option to opt out of the automatic flip. Just keep in mind: If you opt out, you will not receive company match contributions on any after-tax dollars.
Why it matters:
- You can keep saving beyond the IRS limit
- Roth conversions allow for potential tax-free growth
- Staying opted in ensures you receive any eligible employer match
To opt out of automatic after-tax flip, log in to your Alight Worklife account and select “No automatic after-tax flip” in your account settings. If you opt out, after-tax contributions will stop once you reach the 402(g) limit.
Important Reminder: Opt-outs reset each year, so you’ll need to make your selection annually if you wish to continue opting out.
Questions?
Call the HII Benefits Center at 1-877-216-3222 (US) or 1-408-916-9765 (International) 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday.
Learn more and get started by logging in to your Alight Worklife account via hiibenefits.com and navigating to the contribution settings page to review or update your elections.
THE KNOW YOUR NUMBERS PROGRAM
Your coworkers know their numbers – do you? Hear what your HII teammates have to say about the Know Your Numbers program:
“I never miss a KYN opportunity. I get the important metrics in a one-stop event, which I can track from year to year.”
“I love the convenience of onsite KYN events and the speed of the screening.”
“The QuadMed team is very friendly. Very quick. Very informative.”
Schedule your Biometric Health Screening at an onsite Know Your Numbers event near your worksite, with your primary care physician, at a Quest Patient Service Center (PSC)*, or by making an appointment at the HII Family Health Center.
View onsite Biometric Health Screening schedules, learn more about the program, and get started on myquadmed.com/kyn.
Already completed your KYN health screening this year, but want to check in on your progress? Email hiiwellness@quadmedical.com to learn about further health screening options.
*Quest Patient Service Center (PSC) for Mission Technologies and Newport News Shipbuilding – Charleston Operations employees use only.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SMARTPATH WEBINAR: 5 MONEY HABITS FOR THE NEW YEAR
Virtual | Wednesday, Dec. 10 | Noon ET / 11 a.m. CT
Practice makes perfect. We’ve all heard this applied to sports, school and work, but what about finances? Register for SmartPath’s webinar to learn five practical habits that you can use to build wealth and change your life this year.
Virtual | Tuesday, Dec. 16 | Noon ET / 11 a.m. CT
Ready to hit the reset button and create the life you’ve always dreamed of in 2026? Register for HERO’s webinar that will guide you through the process of building your own personal mission statement—a powerful tool to give you fresh clarity and purpose. Whether you’re at the start of a new journey or looking to reimagine your path, we’ll dive into how to turn feelings of both disappointment and excitement into fuel for your next chapter.
ON-DEMAND WELLNESS
Get started with all BeWell For Life programs on myquadmed.com/bewell.
Sign up to receive a weekly email on the latest QuadMed BeWell for Life on-demand programs and Wellness Online challenges.
This month’s programs
- Wellness Online Stretch Break: Yoga for Back Strength (12/3)
- Wellness Online Challenge: Relaxation Breathing (12/8)
The holidays can bring additional stresses to the table, literally. Wellness Online is serving up some opportunities to earn extra points (and the possibility of being entered into a quarterly drawing) and tools to reduce your stress, to help make the holidays merrier. When you take steps to improve your sleep and nutrition, you can double your activity points throughout December.
This includes any sleep- or nutrition-related Journeys, habits, or media as well as some ideas below:
- Browse healthy recipes
- Track calories for 10 or 20 days in the month
- Choose your eating type
- Track your sleep
- Create your sleep profile
Get Food for Thought with Nutrition Bytes
Receive monthly nutrition tips emailed from registered dietitian nutritionists at the HII Family Health Center.
Join weekly online yoga classes to increase movement, flexibility and mindfulness.
Sun Sal Yoga Flow Mondays:
5:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. CT Wednesdays: 6 a.m. ET / 5 a.m. CT
Gentle, morning yoga to start your day grounded, focused and limber.
Vinyasa Flow Yoga Wednesdays:
5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT
Afternoon yoga with pose modifications to fit all ability levels.
Prizes or gifts in excess of $50 value are considered compensation, and are subject to federal, state and employment tax withholding and reporting on Form W-2, unless a specific exemption applies.
View eligibility information in your Benefits Guide on hiibenefits.com.
