Health Technology is a booming industry and each day we are bombarded by apps, games, websites, trackers and more relating to all aspects of our health. But which ones are actually useful? We did the hard work of investigating hundreds of tools and have come up with the best one’s for you! This webinar will help you choose which ones you should use for improved health and over all well-being!
If you were covered by the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) in 2015, your WRS Annual Statement of Benefits is now available in My UW System. Go to the Benefit Information module and click on the Statements tab. Click on “2015 ETF Annual Statement of Benefits (WRS) Issued 2016” to view or print your statement.
The WRS Annual Statement of Benefits provides you with information about your WRS account as of January 1, 2016. The Explanation of Annual Statement of Benefits provides you with information to help you understand your statement. The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) has also published an Introductory Letter for the statement.
It is recommended that you review each section of your statement using the explanation as a guide:
NOTE: New WRS participants who enrolled in late December 2015, and whose first wages were paid in January 2016, will not receive a statement because no WRS contributions were paid in 2015.
Additional Resources
A schedule of the Live Webinar: Understanding Your Annual WRS Statement of Benefits is available on the WRS Annual Statement of enefits Help Page along with other resources.
Please contact the Human Resources office at 920-465-2390 or payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu if you have any questions.
In 2016, all covered state group health insurance plans will offer $150 for completing the Well Wisconsin Incentive Program. There are two steps to completing the program.
NOTE: All participants should check their health insurance provider’s information on the Well Wisconsin website for any additional information and requirements that may be necessary to qualify for the incentive.
Once the biometric screening and health survey is completed, the $150 incentive is issued by your health insurance provider and sent directly to your address on file. Please note that it may take up to 12 weeks after the 15th day of the following month before you receive the incentive payment. Some health insurance providers pay on a quarterly basis.
Effective January 1, 2016, adult children will no longer be eligible for the Well Wisconsin Incentive program. The incentive will continue to be available for active employees and retirees participating in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program and their enrolled spouse/domestic partner. This is the result of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) recent ruling on the applicability of Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) to employee wellness programs and the proposed rule amending GINA to allow spouse participation.
Well Wisconsin program and other taxable wellness-related incentives. According to the federal government and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) financial reimbursements for wellness-related expenses such as gym memberships, fitness classes, the cost to participate in Community Support Agriculture (CSA), and rewards for participating in health or wellness programs or challenges are classified as a fringe benefit that must be treated as a taxable wage subject to income and payroll taxes.
To learn more about your wellness assessment, go to (wellwisconsin.wi.gov).
This webinar offers information on allergies ranging from seasonal to life-long (ex. peanut butter). Learn the causes of common allergies, the signs and symptoms of allergies and treatment options available to you or your family members.
When: Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: CL 735
Fidelity Investments is offering individual counseling sessions where you can confidentially discuss your financial situation with a Fidelity representative. These sessions will give you the opportunity to:
David Eichler, Fidelity Planning & Guidance Consultant will be coming to campus on:
Monday, May 23, 2016
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for individual scheduled meetings
11:00 a.m to 12:30 p.m. for walk-in sessions, first come first served
Heritage Room, University Union
To schedule a confidential consultation visit www.fidelity.com/atwork/reservations or call 1-800-642-7131.
Live Webinars Scheduled in May
ETF is offering a series of 30-minute, live, interactive webinars designed to increase your understanding of Wisconsin Retirement System benefits. Individuals can also ask questions at the end of these sessions.
Understanding Your Annual WRS Statement of Benefits
You receive your WRS Statement of Benefits every year; if you are in the majority you most likely recycle it, put it away in a file, and may even sneak a quick peek before doing so. Or, perhaps you have opened it, but aren’t really sure of what you are looking at and what it means. Join us as we go over the things you can find out from your Statement of Benefits what it means for you, and the connection it has to your retirement. Some items we go over will include: * How much you have contributed towards your WRS Pension * What your vesting status has to do with your WRS Pension * Where your money goes if you pass away before you start retirement And More! *** It is helpful to have your Statement of Benefits with you while participating in the webinar.
WRS Effective Rates and Annuity Adjustments
Do WRS accounts receive an investment return? Do investment returns affect how much a retiree will initially receive when they begin their pension? Do those retired in the WRS receive adjustments to their monthly pension amount over the years? This webinar will cover the process of how account effective rates and annuity adjustments are calculated, starting with the investment return reported by the State of Wisconsin Investment Board. Also covered during the webinar will be explanations of both the Core and Variable Trust Funds and the calculations specific to each fund for effective rates and annual adjustments. At the end of this webinar, it is hoped that you will have a better grasp on how State of Wisconsin Investment Board investment returns affect your WRS pension.
Returning to Work After Retirement
Retired? Planning to retire? Need some information about what happens if you decide to work again? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this webinar is for you. 2013 Act 20 made some important changes to the Return to Work laws for retirees. This webinar covers the old law, as well as the changes that took effect July 2, 2013.
Additional Contributions
Find out how making additional contributions to your WRS account can potentially increase your retirement. This webinar also provides examples of how contributions grow over time with interest, how to pay additional contributions (payroll deduction or direct pay), etc.
Please contact Human Resources at (920) 465-2390 or payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu with any questions.
Employees participating in the State Group Life insurance program will have their coverage level and premium updated effective April 1, 2016.
For Faculty/Academic Staff/Limited Appointees (paid monthly), the premium update will be reflected on the April 1, 2016 paycheck. For University Staff (paid bi-weekly), the premium update will be reflected on the April 1, 2016 paycheck.
State Group Life Insurance coverage level and premium are based on a participant’s highest calendar year of Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) earnings (typically the prior year’s earnings) and age as of April 14. The 2016 premiums are available at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/life/sgl/.
Please contact the Benefits Office at payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu with any questions.
If you were enrolled in the Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care and/or Dependent Day Care FSA) in 2015, you have until the end of the run-out period to submit claims and documentation for eligible expenses incurred during the period of January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015. The run-out period ends on March 30, 2016.
The IRS allows up to $500 Health Care FSA funds to be carried over to the following year. If you have a Health Care FSA balance remaining in your 2015 account in excess of $500, the IRS requires that the excess be forfeited if not filed by 3/30/16. There is no carryover feature for Dependent Day Care FSA—these funds must be used for services incurred by December 31, 2015.
Please remember that the IRS requires appropriate documentation when submitting a claim. All medical, dental and vision claims must include the following:
There are multiple ways in which you can submit your 2015 claims to TASC. Please note that the instructions below are specific for submitting 2015 claims during the run-out period, NOT 2016 claims.
1) File a claim online
2) File a claim via fax or mail
P.O. Box 7511
Madison, WI 53707-7511
3) File a claim using the Mobile App
If you have unsubstantiated claims for the 2015 plan year, you must submit additional documentation to validate the ‘unsubstantiated’ claims. Review your account activity and other claims to confirm that all expenses were approved by TASC and no additional documentation is needed to validate an expense. You may do this by logging on to your account at www.tasconline.com, and clicking on “View Needed Documentation.” If unsubstantiated claims are unresolved by March 30, 2016, wages may be garnished.
Do not wait until last minute to send. All claims and documentation must be received by TASC by 3/30/16.
For questions contact 1customercare@tasconline.comor TASC Customer Service at 1-844-786-3947 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST).
Source: UW System Administration
