Author: Jolene Truckenbrod

Take the ETF Challenge: Build Your Financial Security

Take the Challenge: Build Your Financial Security

The Wisconsin Strong Financial Fitness Challenge is under way for all Wisconsin Retirement System members and their families. The challenge offers participants free access to financial wellness education, resources, and tools to build financial security.

Take the challenge now! Go to https://financialfitnessgroup.com/wi-strong/.

  • Start with a five-minute Financial Fitness Checkup, and then take advantage of hundreds of interactive courses, articles, and videos (a $1,000 value).
  • Complete and pass at least five Financial Fitness Academy courses with a score of 70% or higher to earn points and certificates of completion.

Challenge participants will receive a personalized playlist of courses on topics such as debt management, budgeting, investments, estate planning, and retirement planning. Courses and quizzes take about 15 minutes to complete.

“This program is a great way to learn about strengthening your personal and family finances,” said Robert J. Conlin, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds. “I encourage public employees, retirees, and their families to take the challenge.”

“We are thrilled to introduce this new comprehensive financial wellness program,” said Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. “This program will encourage and support healthy financial practices on an ongoing basis, not just in times of need or emergency, and it will help participants increase their preparedness for unexpected expenses and important financial decisions ahead.”

The Challenge: The Wisconsin Strong Financial Fitness Challenge is anonymous and only requires an email address and password to participate. Participants login to access the self-assessment checkup and academy courses anytime during the duration of the challenge beginning today and continuing through 2021. The secure site is powered by the Financial Fitness Group and will reach the entire Wisconsin Retirement System, including 260,000 employees and 215,000 retirees.

Wisconsin Strong: The Wisconsin Strong Financial Fitness Challenge is a part of the Wisconsin Strong: Your Financial Security™ program to empower members and their families to build financial security and achieve financial wellness at any age. Visit etf.wi.gov/wi-strong and follow along at #WIStrongSecurity.

ETF and DFI were awarded a one-year grant, funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation, to establish the Wisconsin Strong financial wellness program for state and local government employees, retirees, and their families. The grant is structured as a collaboration between the Center for State and Local Government Excellence, the International Public Management Association for Human Resources, the National Association of State Treasurers Foundation, and Wells Fargo.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds

WRS Webinars Offered in April

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. Visit our webinar page to learn more about any of the following sessions.

How to Use ETF’s Online Retirement Calculator
Curious about how much money you’ll get during retirement? Our most-used online tool, the retirement calculator lets you see how much money you may get in the future.


We’ll discuss:

  1. How to get to the calculator.
  2. What information you’ll need handy when using the calculator.
  3. How to use the calculator.
  4. What the results mean.
  • Thu, Apr 1, 2021 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Thu, Apr 8, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Fri, Apr 16, 2021 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Wed, Apr 28, 2021 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

To register, go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/1071787855444602382

Understanding Your Annual WRS Statement of Benefits
Your annual Statement of Benefits shows you the current state of your WRS account. Not sure about something on your statement? Watch this webinar with your statement in hand. We’ll walk you through each section.

By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

  1. Explain the purpose of the Statement of Benefits (ET-7365).
  2. Analyze the sections of your Statement of Benefits.
  3. Interpret your retirement benefit calculations.
  4. Find resources for more information.
  • Thu, Apr 22, 2021 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Mon, Apr 26, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Fri, May 7, 2021 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Wed, May 12, 2021 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

To register, go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2789840744542886411

WRS Effective Rates and Annuity Adjustments
Each year you may see changes to the amount of your retirement payment. We’ll discuss why and how these changes happen.

By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

  1. Define WRS effective rate and annuity adjustment.
  2. Explain how the Core Trust Fund and Variable Trust Fund effective rates are calculated.
  3. Explain how the Core Trust Fund and Variable Trust Fund annuity adjustments are calculated.
  • Wed, Mar 31, 2021 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Fri, Apr 9, 2021 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Wed, Apr 14, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Tue, Apr 20, 2021 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Thu, Apr 29, 2021 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

To register, go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/6452814252490226444

Preparing for Your Retirement
Planning to retire in the next 1-10 years? Then this webinar is for you.

We’ll discuss:

  1. The money you and your employer have put towards your retirement account.
  2. How your retirement account grows through investments.
  3. When you can retire.
  4. Options for receiving your retirement benefit.
  5. Rules you must follow if you return to work after retiring.
  6. What happens to your account after you die.
  7. Changes to your health and life insurance in retirement.
  • Thu, Mar 25, 2021 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Thu, Apr 8, 2021 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Wed, Apr 21, 2021 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/2062561071726664450

Annuity Options
When you get your retirement estimate, you’ll see that there are many options for receiving your retirement benefit. You can choose to receive the payment for your life or extend it beyond your life to your loved ones. The choice is yours. We’ll discuss how each option impacts the size of your payment and affects your loved ones.

Wed, Mar 31, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

To register, go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2336760589469013771

Register for a webinar 

University Services Program Associate

The University Services Program Associate (USPA) for Dual Enrollment services position reports to the Executive Manager of GEAR UP Services and performs a wide variety of duties and responsibilities requiring a broad, complex skill set. This position serves as the primary program support person for UW-Green Bay dual enrollment services for the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) in the Division of Continuing Education and Community Engagement. As a liaison with internal and external people, this position interacts with a diverse audience of individuals and organizations by communicating procedural information, assisting educators and students through program processes, and resolving complex problems as they occur. Dual Enrollment program support includes managing student applications and registrations, billing and payment. The USPA will work closely with K-12 and Community Relations program areas to support dual enrollment processes that are offered as GEAR UP services. This position calls for a highly organized, flexible, and self-directed individual with excellent customer service skills.  This position will be responsible for facilitating student resources that support the University’s mission and goals regarding equity, diversity, and inclusion. This one-year 100% position is funded through the UW-Green Bay partnership with the state GEAR UP program and may be renewed on an annual basis based upon continuance of funding and satisfactory performance. The GEAR UP grant is a 7 year, renewable grant with funding through 2026.

For further information and position responsibilities, please see the full position announcement.

To ensure consideration, please apply by Wednesday, March 31, 2021. 

Bellin Run 2021

It’s time to register for the 45th Annual Bellin Run!  The Bellin Run will be a virtual event from June 12 – 21, 2021.  This 10K (6.2 mile) event is for runners and walkers of all participation levels, and can be completed between June 12 and 21.

Employees, students, family and friends are encouraged to sign up to participate as part of the UW-Green Bay Corporate team!

To register on our team, click on our Company Link:  https://runsignup.com/Race/Register?raceId=53110&corpTeamId=21152&corpToken=2siG8IcoaV0QS3xnwAdzZSOgqAftAgIM

Team password: Phoenix

This will take you directly to our team registration page.  You can register your entire family in this cart.

UW-Green Bay is part of the Bellin Run Corporate Challenge, and being part of this program gets you these perks:

  • You will receive an early incentive gift with the Bellin Run logo on it
  • If you register by May 15th, your race packet (bib and race shirt) will be delivered directly to the Green Bay campus about a week before the event. *NOTE: If you are not regularly on the Green Bay campus, there will be an option to have your packet mailed directly to your home for a $10 shipping & handling fee.*

Friends and family can be registered on our team so that they receive these benefits as well.

Also, due to a wellness grant from the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF), employees will receive $10 off of their registration fees. This discount will automatically be calculated when you register on our team as an employee.  *NOTE:  This discount is only for use by UWGB employees and does not apply to students, friends & family members.  If you are registering family members or friends, please note that the $10 discount is only applicable to employee’s registration fees.*

NOTE:  in the event you don’t have this link handy – to register, go to www.bellinrun.com and click on “Register Today”. At the registration page, you will click on “Register on a Corporate Team”, search for “UW-Green Bay,” input our password (see above) and continue through the registration process.  There are options for both the 10K and the Children’s Run.

Check out their helpful training guide!

Questions? Please contact:

Kaitlyn O’Claire
oclairek@uwgb.edu 
(715) 735-4331

Living in Uncertain Times During COVID-19 Presentation

Presentation from Kepro, our Employee Assistance Program provider, and our UWGB Wellness Center

We are all living in unprecedented times, which fosters worry and anxiety. Heightened worry and fear can only make trigger events worse than they already are. Controlling the way that we process the events is the goal of this seminar.  Please plan to join us for this virtual presentation.

Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Please sign up to attend: https://uwgreenbay.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dbAE69Tz2ZDuoZ0

If you aren’t able to join us during the live presentation, a recording will be available after the presentation at https://www.uwgb.edu/UWGBCMS/media/coronavirus/Living-in-Uncertain-Times-During-Covid-19-20210310_112955-Meeting-Recording.mp4.

Questions? Please email wellness@uwgb.edu

March Wellness Activity: 60 Second Challenge

Get set, go, your 60 seconds begins now!!

We have an exciting new opportunity for you to participate in called the 60 Second Challenge to encourage movement throughout the day and get you away from the computer for a minute. It is proven that those who take breaks throughout the workday are to be more productive.

The 60 Second Challenge encourages you to be physically active for 60 seconds every hour of the workday. The exercises are predetermined with modifications and variations that can be completed in any order throughout the day and at any point within the hour.

The unique aspect of the challenge is that you will have completed 8 minutes, of the recommended 30 minutes, of physical activity each day by incorporating it into your workday.

To participate you can use the tracking sheet and the exercise resource sheets (links below). The tracking sheet allows you to track your completed exercises throughout the day and how many reps if you choose to do so. The exercise resource sheets will provide you with descriptions and pictures on how to properly perform each exercise along with modifications and variations. When you have completed the 2-week tracking sheet you can email wellness@uwgb.edu a picture of it to receive a code to self-report your participation in this employer sponsored well-being activity for Well Wisconsin at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin.

It is helpful to set hourly reminders for yourself or you can set a daily reminder and snooze it every hour, so it keeps coming up throughout the day.

Following the challenge, you can do another two-week challenge with new exercises which is also included (please see “Round 2” tab on tracking sheet). You are not required to do this to earn credit – it would be an option to benefit yourself and your health.

Source: Well Wisconsin

TIAA virtual meetings available in March

Meet with a financial consultant at the University of Wisconsin System in a Virtual Counseling Session

No matter where you are in life – just getting started or planning for retirement – a session with a TIAA Financial Consultant can help you create a plan for your goals.  And, it’s at no additional cost as part of your retirement plan. You’ll get answers to these questions and more:

  • Am I invested in the right mix of investments to meet my goals?
  • Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
  • How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?

TIAA will be available these dates and times for a virtual one-on-one session.

  • Tuesday, March 16 at 10 am – 4 pm
  • Wednesday, March 17 at 9 am – 4 pm
  • Tuesday, March 23 at 9 am to 4 pm

RSVP today, as space is limited.  Register for sessions at www.TIAA.org/schedulenow or by calling 800-732-8353, weekdays, 8 am to 8 pm (ET). We look forward to working with you.

Click here to register for a virtual consultation with TIAA 

This material is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute fiduciary investment advice under ERISA, a securities recommendation under all securities laws, or an insurance product recommendation under state insurance laws or regulations. This material does not take into account any specific objectives or circumstances of any particular investor, or suggest any specific course of action. Investment decisions should be made based on the investor’s own objectives and circumstances.

Investment, insurance and annuity products are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, are not bank deposits, are not insured by any federal government agency, are not a condition to any banking service or activity, and may lose value.

The TIAA group of companies does not offer tax advice. See your tax advisor regarding your particular situation.

TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Member FINRA, distributes securities products. Annuity contracts and certificates are issued by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) and College Retirement Equities Fund (CREF), New York, NY. Each is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. 

Onsite Health Screening

Time to register for your onsite health screening!

A free health screening* event has been scheduled at the Green Bay and Sheboygan campuses for employees (and spouses) who are enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program.

At an onsite screening, you’ll learn your measurements for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol (HDL, LDL and total), triglycerides and glucose, and be in and out in 20 minutes. Register today!

Green Bay Campus:

  • DATE:  Tuesday, September 21, 2021
  • TIME:  7:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • LOCATION:  University Union, Phoenix Rooms, Green Bay campus

Sheboygan Campus:

  • DATE:  Thursday, September 9, 2021
  • TIME:  8:00 to 10:30 am
  • LOCATION:  Wombat Room, Sheboygan campus

Please register at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin by clicking “Get Started” on the Biometric Screening card.  Click here for instructions.

Earn your $150 Well Wisconsin Incentive

Complete three activities by October 8, 2021 to earn the $150 Well Wisconsin incentive.

  1. Get a Health Check – Complete a biometric screening (details above), dental exam or coaching session, more information available at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin.
  2. Complete the WebMD One’s health assessment – it takes about 10 minutes and is mobile and tablet friendly!
  3. Complete a Well-Being Activity through WebMD (ex. complete a challenge, listen to two 30 minute interviews, etc.).

For more information on the Well Wisconsin Program or to complete your activities, log in to webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin­­.  Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the health screening.

*The Well Wisconsin incentive program is a voluntary program available to employees, retirees and spouses enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program, excluding Medicare Advantage participants who have incentives available through their health plan. The Well Wisconsin incentive will automatically be issued to eligible participants upon completing the applicable activities. All wellness incentives paid to participants are considered taxable income to the group health plan subscriber and are reported to their employer, who will issue a W2. In some cases, the Wisconsin Retirement System acts as the employer. Retirees, continuants and their spouses will have some taxes withheld from the incentive amount earned.