Author: Jolene Truckenbrod

UIA Life Insurance Annual $24 Premium Deduction

The University Insurance Association (UIA) Life Insurance annual premium of $24.00 will be deducted from October monthly earnings, paid November 1, 2019.

Participation in the UIA Life Insurance plan is a condition of employment for UW System Faculty/Academic Staff/Limited Appointment (FA/AS/LI) employees. Additionally, eligible employees must meet the minimum monthly salary threshold which is $2,734.00 for the 2019-2020 plan year, October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. The minimum monthly salary threshold is determined each year and is based on 45% of the average instructor’s salary for the previous year.

Once an employee becomes eligible for coverage, eligibility will continue for the full plan year. Employees must re-qualify for eligibility each year.

For more information about the plan, including coverage levels, visit the UW System Employee Benefits website.

Source: UW System Human Resources

HR System update will provide easier access

HUMAN RESOURCE SYSTEM UPDATE WILL GIVE EMPLOYEES EASIER ACCESS TO SELF SERVICE PAGES AND RESOURCES

***Please note that there will be an HR system outage starting Friday, November 1st at the end of the business day through mid-day on Sunday, November 3rd for this update, so self-service features in our My UW portal will not be available during this time, such as Web Clock, Timesheet, absence reporting, access to earnings statements, access to TAM job application service, and updates to personal information.***

Starting on November 3, 2019, a Human Resource System (HRS) update will provide UW employees with easier access to HR related Self Service pages and resources through simplified navigation.

Navigating to Self Service Pages
Navigation from the MyUW portal to HR related Self Service pages will not change. Employees can continue to choose portal tiles related to Payroll, Benefits, Time and Absence, etc., to navigate to Self Service pages.

Employee Self Service Home Page
To simplify navigation for employees, once in Self Service, there will be no need for an employee to navigate back to the portal to choose a different HR related tile to complete an additional task.

Now, conveniently located within Self Service, there will be a home button on the top right of each page that takes users to the Employee Self Service home page. This home page provides a collection of tiles for navigating to Self Service pages relating to Payroll, Benefits, Time and Absence, etc. By clicking a tile, an employee will have access to the pages pertaining to that topic and related tasks, without the need to leave the Self Service environment.

Navigation Within Self Service Pages
Self Service pages now include a convenient left side bar with tabs to other related Self Service pages. This allows the user to navigate between pages within that specific Self Service environment.

Help Resources
Help resources will be available on all Self Service pages by clicking the action menu (three stacked dots) on the top right of each page. These are the same help resources that will continue to be available through the MyUW portal and on the UW Service Operations home page.

Additional Changes
While the functionality of all Self Service pages remains the same, some employees may see pages with slightly different layouts, titles or features. These employees will be notified of these changes through a direct email that will be distributed the week of October 28, 2019.

Source: UW-Shared Services, Service Operations

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Programs Available

Fallveggies

Eating vegetables and fruits provides many health benefits, such as providing nutrients, help maintaining healthy blood pressure, reducing risk of some chronic diseases, reducing cholesterol levels, lowering risk of heart disease, and protecting against infections.  As we know, it can be more challenging to eat healthy during winter, so it is important to make a contentious effort.  One way to get more healthy vegetables and fruits in our diet is to participate in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).  Two area CSA’s provided us information about their programs (details below), but you can find out about other CSA’s in your local community through a quick internet search or word-of-mouth.

Garden to Doorstep Organics LLC: https://www.gardentodoorsteporganics.com/

  • Information about discount promotion for UW-Green Bay:
    /UWGBCMS/media/hr/Wellness%20Items/Flyer2019.pdf
  • Garden to Doorstep Organics LLC offers year-around produce, and you can select from two different sizes of fruit only boxes or two different sizes of vegetable/fruit mixed boxes.
  • If enough people sign up, we could have our produce boxes delivered to UWGB each week!  Please click here to sign up by Friday, November 29th.

SLO Farmers Co-Op: https://slofarmersco-op.com/

  • SLO Farmers Co-Op is offering a fall CSA in November and December.  Some items may include winter squash, carrots, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, microgreens, onions, potatoes, radish, leeks, Brussel spouts, kohlrabi, beets, and parsnips.  They also have honey, meat and eggs available!

 

 

Office Manager

This position reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and Associate Dean of Students, and provides administrative support and serves as administrative liaison. Other duties include greeting visitors, office management, formatting and editing correspondence and program materials, scheduling student appointments, supporting search and screen processes, coordinating special events, assisting with projects, and updating websites.

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

To ensure consideration, please apply by Monday, November 11, 2019.

WRS Webinars Offered in October and November

ETF (Department of Employee Trust Funds) 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 their webinar page to learn more about any of the following sessions.

5 Basic Steps to Your Retirement
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/6177398674628200193

Consider this webinar your quick reference guide to starting the retirement process within the next 12 months. We’ll review: choosing a termination date, how to request a retirement estimate – and how to read and understand it. We’ll also cover how to schedule a retirement appointment and – drum roll here — how to submit the retirement application.

  • Fri, Nov 1, 2019 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Thu, Nov 7, 2019 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Wed, Nov 13, 2019 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Mon, Nov 18, 2019 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Choosing When to Retire
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2991479070862002947

This webinar will focus primarily on choosing your optimal termination and WRS benefit effective dates. The focus will include not only the “December versus January” decision, but also how retirement timing at any point during the year can affect your retirement annuity amount and other employee retirement benefits as well.

  • Thu, Oct 17, 2019 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Fri, Nov 1, 2019 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Thu, Nov 14, 2019 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Thu, Nov 21, 2019 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Tue, Nov 26, 2019 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

How to Use ETF’s Online Retirement Calculator
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/4105621899758973185

ETF’s online retirement calculator, one of the most-used tools on our website, allows you to calculate an unofficial projection of your WRS retirement benefit at any point in the future. This webinar will cover where to find and how to use the calculator, specific information required for data entry (e.g., desired retirement date, spouse or partner’s birthdate, etc.) and how to interpret the results. There will be time at the end of the webinar to ask specific questions on this topic.

  • Wed, Nov 6, 2019 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Thu, Nov 14, 2019 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Wed, Nov 20, 2019 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Thu, Nov 21, 2019 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Preparing for Your Retirement
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/7855498608381434113

Who should attend? Employees who are planning to retire in the next 1 – 10 years.

Learn about your steps to retire with the WRS. Attend this event by live webinar! You will learn about the impact of contributions and investment returns on your account, when you can retire, your WRS annuity options, returning to work after you retire, what happens to your account when you die, health and life insurance, and more.

Questions are welcome during and after the event!

  • Thu, Oct 24, 2019 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Tue, Oct 29, 2019 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Wed, Nov 13, 2019 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Variable Fund
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2212152925566071297

In this webinar we will discuss the Variable Fund – what it is, how it differs from the Core Fund, and the effect participation in this fund may have on your retirement benefit calculations. We will also discuss how to elect to participate in the Variable Fund, how to cancel Variable participation, and the impact the timing of these decisions may have on your Wisconsin Retirement System benefits.

  • Thu, Nov 7, 2019 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Tue, Nov 12, 2019 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Wed, Nov 20, 2019 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Mon, Nov 25, 2019 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Register for a webinar

Please contact Human Resources at (920) 465-2390 or payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu with any questions.

ETF Retirement Presentations in November in our Region

ATTENTION: Any employee considering retirement within the next 12 months or any employee within 1 year of minimum retirement age (age 50 for protective category employees or age 55 for all other categories):

The Department of Employee Trust Funds will be in Manitowoc, at Lakeshore Technical College on November 4th and 5th, 2019 and Green Bay, at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College on November 19th and 20th, 2019 to provide an overview of the retirement process and answer questions regarding your WRS retirement. Topics covered include, but are not limited to:  calculating your retirement pension, explanation of monthly annuity payment options, filling out retirement applications and beneficiary forms, future annuity adjustments, life insurance, health insurance, returning to work, etc.

ETF has tailored group appointment retirement sessions for members planning (or considering) retirement in the near future.  These sessions are similar to an individual appointment in Madison, with the same information presented, as well as the opportunity for WRS members to ask questions of knowledgeable, experienced ETF staff.

ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED.  These sessions tend to fill up quickly. If you wish to schedule an appointment for one of these sessions, please contact ETF at the number below as soon as possible. Registration for the Manitowoc sessions will close on Monday, October 21st. Registration for the Green Bay sessions will close on Tuesday, November 5th.

You must already have a retirement estimate to schedule an appointment to attend this session.  If you do not currently have a retirement estimate, you may order one when you schedule your appointment.  Other dates throughout the year and other locations throughout the state are available, if these dates are not convenient for you.

Ordering an estimate or scheduling an appointment does not require you to retire.  This can be for informational purposes only if that is all you need.

CALL 1-877-533-5020 TOLL-FREE TO SCHEDULE.

Advisor TRIO Upward Bound Math/Science

This position reports to the Director of TRIO and Precollege Programs. The Regional Center for Math and Science (RCMS) Advisor serves as the primary contact for RCMS students, parents, and the community. The Advisor is responsible for ensuring the success of each RCMS student through academic and personal counseling. The Advisor should be familiar with the challenges and barriers that low-income, first-generation students and their families face in preparing for college and be ready to help RCMS students overcome the obstacles in their path to postsecondary education.

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

To ensure consideration, please apply by Sunday, October 20, 2019.

 

TIAA “Save Smart, Start Early” Free Workshop on October 14th

TIAA

The financial knowledge to help plan for whatever life brings

TIAA has experience helping people save and invest since 1918. We’re proud to share that knowledge with you in the form of fun, interactive and informative workshops. Here is a workshop that is coming soon to UW-Green Bay. You’re welcome to invite a colleague who may also want to attend!

Enrollment presentation:  Save smart, start early

Join us on Monday, October 14, 2019, from 3 – 4 p.m. at The 1965 Room in the University Union for a presentation designed to help you understand your UW Tax-Sheltered Annuity 403(b) Program options. It’s a lot easier to spend than save. But getting into a saving mindset now could make a big difference later. Start with a plan that works for you and follow it. It might be easier than you think.

The University of Wisconsin offers a comprehensive UW Tax-Sheltered Annuity 403(b) Program to meet the diverse needs of our community. Understanding your retirement savings options can help you make the most of them.

This presentation can help you understand:

  • Why you should enroll
  • How much you should save
  • What the basics of investing are

No matter where you are in life, you can plan and start saving for the retirement you want.

Come and learn how to create a plan that can help you reach your goals—on your time line.

Mark your calendar to attend!  Please contact payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-2390 if you have any questions.