Your Annual Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Annual Statement of Benefits is now available online in the My UW System portal: http://my.wisconsin.edu.  Login to the portal and go to the “Benefit Information” box and click on the “Statements” tab.  Click on “ETF Annual Statement of Benefits (WRS) Issued 2013” to view and print your statement.  Please note that you will not receive a paper copy of the statement.

The WRS Annual Statement of Benefits provides you with information about your Wisconsin Retirement System account as of January 1, 2013. Information on the statement includes 2012 WRS earnings and creditable service; total years of WRS creditable service, and separation and death benefit calculations.  You should review this statement closely for accuracy.

Statement Section 2 – After Act 10 Service

The name of your retirement category is in both Sections 1 and 2 of the Statement.  If you are in a General, Teacher or Protective retirement category, all of your creditable service will be listed in the “Before 2000” and/or “After 1999” columns in Section 2 of the Statement.  Only employees in an Elected or Executive retirement category will have creditable service in the “After Act 10” column.  2011 Wisconsin Act 10 changed the way retirement benefits are calculated for Elected/Executive category employees so service earned after Act 10 must be tracked separately for this group of employees.

Information to Help You Understand Your WRS Statement

Explanation of Annual Statement of Benefits (ET-7333)

Video Explanation of the Statement

Webinars presented by the Department of Employee Trust Funds:

May 20, 2013 – 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Please note that if you have recently been upgraded to Firefox 19 (with a new built-in PDF viewer) you may find your statement unreadable in the My UW System portal. For workaround instructions visit: https://kb.wisc.edu/page.php?id=28831.

Important Insurance Protection for State and University of Wisconsin Employees,
Annuitants and their Family Members is now available

Simply click here to request an information packet

United of Omaha Life Insurance Company is now offering two plans; CASH-First and Assured Solutions Gold policies to eligible State and University of Wisconsin Employees, Annuitants, and their family members. These voluntary purchase long-term care insurance policies are offered at a group-discounted premium.

Long-term care insurance is designed to help protect against the high costs of long-term care if you or a family member can no longer perform activities of daily living without the need of assistance. Medicare and most health insurance will not pay for these services. For many, long-term care insurance is an important part of planning for their long-term financial security. Please consider whether the CASH-First or Assured Solutions Gold policies are right for you and/or your parents. (Spouse, domestic partner, parents and in-laws are all eligible to apply, even if you don’t).

The CASH-First and Assured Solutions Gold policies offer additional built-in benefits that include:

• If, prior to age 65, you sustain an injury requiring home health care, assisted living facility or nursing home care, your policy will pay up to two times the maximum benefit.
• CASH-First benefits can be used any way you choose – you simply receive the full monthly cash benefit you select to pay for anything at all… family travel expenses, lost income, housekeeping services or other out-of-pocket expenses – there’s no need to collect or submit bills.
• CASH-First provides cash beginning with the first day of need – no elimination period to satisfy.
• Many other additional benefits and features listed in the information packet.

HealthChoice also provides CareOptions services to all State and University of Wisconsin Employees, Annuitants and their family members at no charge and no insurance purchase required. To use this service, request an information packet and it will contain the CareOptions access information.

The CareOptions Program can assist you or family members with issues related to wellness, illness, disability, or aging. As an additional convenience, the CareOptions service can help you and your family members create Living Wills (advance directives for health care) as well as allow you to conduct care provider searches and medical information research seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

We urge you to investigate this plan for you and your family. To receive a complete information packet regarding your long-term care insurance options and access to the new CareOptions resources, simply click here to request an information packet. You may also call HealthChoice toll-free at 1-800-833-5823 or in the Madison area at 833-5823 or email info@healthchoice.com. Direct information link; click or paste in your web browsers address line: http://www.healthchoice.com/reply1

Since 1995, State of Wisconsin employees, annuitants, their spouses and parents have had the option of purchasing a long-term care insurance policy through HealthChoice. (Spouse, domestic partner, parents and in-laws are all eligible to apply, even if you don’t).

COOL™ and CareOptions® are registered trademarks of NavGate Technologies®, a division of CareQuest® Inc. The COOL and CareOptions system is owned and operated by NavGate Technologies and provided by HealthChoice Insurance Solutions as a service to its group members. CareOptions is a consumer driven wellness and care planning system – CareOptions is not insurance nor is it owned or operated by any insurance company, HMO or care provider.

This insurance plan has been authorized by the Group Insurance Board for the purpose of offering long term care insurance to eligible State of Wisconsin employees and retirees under authority granted by Wis. Stats. § 40.55 and as set forth in Wis. Admin Code Chapter ETF 41. The criteria the Board uses include, but are not limited to: documentation of financial stability, demonstration of a reasonable ratio of claims paid to the premium level, authority to conduct business in the State of Wisconsin, agreeing to conditions for the rate-making process and other administrative conditions. ETF staff and the Board’s actuary review proposals for participation prior to Board approval. However, the Board does not require competitive bids nor a benefit comparison with similar products from other vendors. Authorization for payroll deduction should not be construed as an endorsement of this plan by either the Group Insurance Board or the Department of Employee Trust Funds. This insurance has exceptions, limitations and reductions. This letter is used as a source of leads in the solicitation of insurance and you may be contacted by an insurance agent.

Insurance products are offered through HealthChoice. HealthChoice is not affiliated with any insurance company or HMO. Long-Term Care Insurance is underwritten by United of Omaha Life Insurance Company, Omaha, Nebraska 68175.

Policy form LTC09U-AG-WISE.

GL471_WI

HealthChoice

583 D’Onofrio Drive 101
Madison, Wisconsin 53719
(800) 833-5823 • Fax (608) 833-7540
E-mail: info@healthchoice.com • www.healthchoice.com

Today is the final day for early registration of the 2013 Bellin Run/Walk Corporate Challenge in order to be part of VIP race packet delivery and received a UW-Green Bay Bellin Run corporate team t-shirt! 

Did you participate in the “Step into Spring” Challenge?  All activities must be logged by the end of the day today and winners will be announced in the upcoming May Newsletter! Stay tuned for further information.

Looking for a way to keep your team active, or get active yourself?  Join us for the May and June Fitness Challenge and Hit the Trails! Every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. starting Tuesday, May 14, join Chrisanna Colletta and other members of the Wellness Committee on a walk/jog/run of the arboretum trails.

Reminder of upcoming lunch and learn events:

• Super Foods: What are they and Why are they Super

            Thursday, May 2, 2013          12:10 – 1 p.m.             Phoenix A

• What does your garden grow? GMO’s, Hybrids, and Heirlooms

            Tuesday, May 7, 2013           12:10 – 1 p.m.             Phoenix C

Visit the Wellness website for information on general events, upcoming lunch and learns and other great information!

What is the University Personnel System (UPS)?

• UPS is the structure used to recruit, appoint, pay, provide benefits to, and manage personnel matters for all UW employees.

Open Forums have been scheduled to discuss the new University Personnel Systems (UPS). The focus of these sessions will be to provide an overview of the changes and  allow employees an opportunity to ask questions.

Open Forums will be held on the following dates, times and location: 

• Tuesday, May 14, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Christie Theatre, University Union
• Wednesday, May 15, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., Christie Theatre, University Union
• Tuesday, June 4, 1:00-2:00 p.m., Wood Hall, Room 328

 All employees are encouraged to attend.  Please contact Christine Olson or Sheryl Van Gruensven if you have any questions regarding this topic.

Thank you.

 The UW-Green Bay Wellness Committee Presents:

What:              Wellness Lunch and Learn
                        What does your garden grow? GMO’s, Hybrids, and Heirlooms

When:             Tuesday, May 7, 2013
                        12:10 – 1 p.m. (feel free to bring your lunch!)

 Where:            University Union
                          Phoenix C

UWGB Associate Director for Biodiversity Vicki Medland, will present information on the differences between heirloom, hybrid and GMO vegetables and fruits, and highlight the advantages of planting heirlooms. She will also highlight some of the plants available at this year’s Heirloom Plant Sale! Faculty and Staff Early Bird Sale is Friday May 17, Noon-4:30 p.m.

Visit the Wellness Committee website for information on other wellness topics, newsletters, and upcoming events!

Megan started on April 26, 2013, as the Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach.  Prior to starting at UW-Green Bay she was employed at St. Cloud State University for three years.  She earned her Bachelors and Masters at South Dakota State.  Megan is from St. Peter, Minnesota, and her family includes her mom, Nancy, her father, Fred, and her sister Kristin.  Welcome Megan!

Christopher started on May 1, 2013, as the Risk Management/Contract Officer.  He was previously employed at Brown County for 14 years.  Christopher is the Assistant Football Coach for De Pere.  He earned his degrees at Ripon College and at Valparaiso University School of Law.  His hometown is Denmark, Wisconsin, and is married to Kristen and they have two children, Max and Natalie.