Author: Jolene Truckenbrod

WRS Webinars Offered in February & March

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.

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 3, 2021 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Fri, Mar 5, 2021 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Thu, Mar 11, 2021 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Wed, Mar 31, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

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

Newly Retired? What to Expect
When you first retire you may experience several changes.  We’ll help prepare you for some of these changes by discussing:

  1. When and how to change your retirement benefit payment option.
  2. When you’ll receive tax information.
  3. What mailings you will receive.
  4. Why your monthly payment may change.
  5. Rules you must follow if you return to work for a position under the WRS.
  • Thu, Mar 4, 2021 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
  • Thu, Mar 11, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Fri, Mar 19, 2021 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Wed, Mar 24, 2021 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

To register, go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/1011260839278647310

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.
  • Thu, Feb 25, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Thu, Mar 4, 2021 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Wed, Mar 10, 2021 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Thu, Mar 18, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Wed, Mar 31, 2021 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

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

WRS Retirement Benefit Calculation Methods
Have you requested a retirement estimate? Thinking about it? In this webinar, we’ll discuss how we calculate your retirement benefit.

  • Mon, Mar 1, 2021 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Tue, Mar 9, 2021 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Thu, Mar 18, 2021 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Mon, Mar 22, 2021 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

To register, go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/3851065177847728398

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.

Learn in a way that fits your schedule. Attend this presentation in a live webinar!

  • Mon, Feb 22, 2021 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Fri, Mar 12, 2021 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • 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


Additional Contributions
Looking to increase your WRS retirement? Learn how Additional Contributions can increase your WRS retirement benefit. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

  1. Define Additional Contributions.
  2. Identify how Additional Contributions increase your retirement fund.
  3. Arrange to make Additional Contributions to your WRS account(s).
  4. Find and use ETF resources to calculate your Additional Contribution amount.
  • Fri, Feb 26, 2021 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

To register, go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2366304466240366864

Beneficiary Designations – What Happens to My Account When I Die?
Death is never easy to talk about, but it’s important to know where your money is going. We’ll discuss:

  1. How to update your account so your loved ones may receive money after your death.
  2. Important times to make sure your account is up to date.
  3. What happens if you forget to update your account.
  4. How to check who you currently have on file.
  • Mon, Feb 22, 2021 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

To register, go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/9013962762161514253

Overview of the WRS
Are you new to the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)? We’ll let you know what to expect. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

  1. Identify and explain the elements of the Wisconsin Retirement System.
  2. Explain how the WRS pension works.
  3. Identify benefits available through the WRS.
  4. Find resources for more information.
  • Thu, Feb 25, 2021 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

To register, go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/4616515485623567888

Register for a webinar 

Wellness Wednesdays in March

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS

UW-Green Bay faculty and staff are invited to join the Wellness Committee on Wednesdays in March for virtual wellness activities!

Registration (you will receive a calendar invite with a link to attend)

March 3rd – Progressive Muscle Relaxation
12:15-12:30pm
Progressive muscle relaxation is a method that helps relieve tension in the body.  You tense a group of muscles as you breathe in, and you relax them as you breathe out.  For the full experience, find a comfortable position lying down to participate.

March 10th – Chair Yoga
12:15-12:30pm
Chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga that can be done sitting on a chair or standing on the ground while using the chair for support. Just like a regular yoga practice, chair yoga increases flexibility and body awareness.

March 24th – Meditation (Guided Imagery)
12:15-12:30pm
Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that draws on your ability to visualize and daydream. This session will take you on a mental vacation to the beach under the warm sun and ocean air.

March 31st – Stretch Break (Posture Reset)
12:15-12:30pm
This short session will help your body reset and counteract the effects of poor posture. Poor posture in any aspect of your life can exhaust muscles and lead to low back and other chronic pain if it’s not addressed.

Financial Aid Advisor

This position reports to the Assistant Director of Financial Aid and will have significant involvement with file review and verification. Duties will include working with students and/or families as well as discussing or presenting on financial aid at on or off campus events. This position will assist with internal and external scholarships and be involved with the University emergency grant program(s).

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

To ensure consideration, please apply by Sunday, March 7, 2021.

February Wellness Activity: Kindness Bingo

February 14 – 20, 2021 is Random Acts of Kindness week. Everyone can use a little kindness, especially right now! Research has shown that there are physical benefits when we see kindness and when we share kindness. It releases oxytocin which is the “feel good” hormone and reduces our stress levels. It has the same effect on our bodies as receiving a hug.

When we focus on others and share kindness with them it helps us in the following ways:

  • Helps take our mind off our own worries
  • Reminds us we are not alone when it comes to troubles and concerns
  • Gives us a sense of purpose
  • Connects us with others in a meaningful way

The purpose is to do random acts of kindness every day of the month except for a few days since there are only 25 bingo spots. Every day you can cross off one kindness task after you have completed it. Once you have completed the kindness challenge and crossed off all the boxes you can email wellness@uwgb.edu with a picture of your bingo card to receive a code to self-report your participation in this employer sponsored well-being activity for Well Wisconsin at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin. Hopefully, participating in this challenge will encourage you to continue and recognize acts of kindness even when there is not a bingo sheet to fill out.

BINGO CARD

Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.”                    —Henry James

Source: Well Wisconsin

Student Services Specialist (Two Vacancies)

These positions report to the Green Bay One Stop Shop (GBOSS) Front Desk Manager, and assist clients (i.e., enrolled and prospective students, parents, faculty, staff and the general public) with routine transactions and inquiries, educate clients about university policies, procedures and resources, advise clients about alternative courses of action, and work collaboratively with other university offices and external agencies on behalf of clients to expedite problem resolution. Specialists respond proactively to phone, e-mail and in-person inquiries and transactional requests by clarifying the request, diagnosing the problem, researching the resolution, taking action on the request, and following up as appropriate. Specialists make recommendations to the Enrollment Services Manager, the Enrollment Services Directors and Dean on procedural and/or business practice improvements and help track customer service metrics to continuously improve student services and satisfaction. Specialists perform all the duties of a Student Affairs professional, consistent with institutional, division, and departmental mission, vision and values.

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

To ensure consideration, please apply by Thursday, February 11, 2021.

Mental Wellness Challenge

As discussed in our last Coffee Talk, mental wellness is so important in our lives right now.  Please be intentional about your mental wellness – consider what areas are going well and what needs some attention.  Decide what you can do to build on the things that are working well, and look at options for improving the things that aren’t going well.  Use your resources and ask for help.  We can all improve our lives by focusing on our mental wellness – talk about it, think about it, and then take action.  Don’t worry about doing something big – just start with something small to get things moving in the right direction.

As part of our mental health focus, we challenge you to take two weeks, February 8th to 19th, to complete at least one of the activities listed on the sheet each weekday.  Click here to access this sheet, mark off activities as you complete them, and then email your completed sheet (or just let us know that you did the challenge!) to wellness@uwgb.edu by Friday, February 26th to get an employee incentive!  Questions? Please email wellness@uwgb.edu.

Seasonal Affective Disorder – Well Wisconsin Radio

 

Each episode of Well Wisconsin radio gives you important information and actionable insights provided by a Wisconsin health expert.

Morgan Meinen, dedicated well-being professional for Well Wisconsin, leads the way as host.

January’s episode: Seasonal Affective Disorder

  • When: Tuesday, February 2, noon to 12:30 p.m.
  • Who: Dr. Jim Sanders, Medical Director, Network Health
  • Register here

Listening gets you closer to earning $150*
Check off the “well-being activity” portion of your Well Wisconsin incentive by listening to two episodes of Well Wisconsin Radio.

New for this year: It’s OK if you don’t have a moment to listen live; you can get credit for listening to recordings of 2021 episodes. Listen in for the “code” provided in each episode and report at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin that you listened.

Check out all episodes
All 2021 episodes are available online. Click here to access the Well Wisconsin Radio back catalog.

Questions?
Contact Customer Service at 800-821-6591.

*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.