Category: Fiscal Wellness

Fiscal wellness is the ability to understand our financial situation. This involves being able to control and maintain a balance of income and expenditures. It is important to make financial decisions that allow one to save, invest and plan for the future.

Annual Benefits Fair

Mark your calendar to attend the Annual UW-Green Bay Employee Benefits & Wellness Fair!

When: Thursday, October 10th, 2024

Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Where: University Union Phoenix Room, Green Bay campus

Please stop by to talk about your benefits and wellness to get helpful information as you consider options for the Annual Benefit Enrollment period. This year’s Annual Benefits Enrollment period is Monday, September 30 and goes through October 25, 2024.

Representatives from the following organizations will be looking forward to talking with you during the fair:

  • Edvest College Savings Plan (529 Plan)
  • Delta Dental (Dental Insurance: Uniform, Preventive, & Supplemental)
  • Acentra Health (Employee Assistance Plan EAP)
  • Optum (HSA & FSA)
  • Common Ground (Health Insurance)
  • Dean Health Plan & Dean Health Insurance-Prevea360
  • HealthPartners Robin by HealthPartners (Health Insurance)
  • Network Health Plan (Health Insurance)
  • HealthChoice (Long-Term Care)
  • TIAA (403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program)
  • Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (457 Program)
  • UW System HR (Benefits Counseling Team)
  • UWGB Wellness Committee
  • UWGB UREC
  • UW Credit Union

Questions? Please contact us at hr@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-2390.

Retirement Plan Contribution Limits Increase in 2024

Universities of Wisconsin employees will be able to contribute more to their retirement plans in 2024. The IRS recently announced an increase in the 2024 retirement plan contribution limits. The limits apply to the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP) and the Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC) 457 Program.

Contribution Limit Increase
In 2024, employees may contribute a basic maximum of $23,000 to the UW 403(b) SRP (an increase from $22,500 in 2023). Employees age fifty and over can contribute an additional $7,500 (same limit as 2023) for a total of $30,500. These same limits apply to WDC and you may contribute the full amount to both the UW 403(b) SRP and WDC.

If you have 15 years or more of service with the Universities of Wisconsin and have contributed less than an average of $5,000 per year over your Universities of Wisconsin employment, you may have an additional “catch-up” opportunity with the UW 403(b) SRP.

Both pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) contributions count towards the annual limits. Note: Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are a type of retirement account separate from the UW 403(b) SRP and WDC Program and have separate limits.

Making Changes and Enrolling in the UW 403(b) SRP
To change (increase or decrease) your UW 403(b) SRP deduction:

  • Login to the My UW portal
  • Launch the Benefits Information tile
  • On the bottom of the screen, click on “Update 403(b) Deductions” and follow the additional instructions to make your change(s)

To enroll for the first time:

For questions on the UW 403(b) SRP, review the SRP web page.

Making Changes and Enrolling in the WDC (457) Program
To change your WDC contribution log into your account using the WDC website or call Empower, the third-party WDC plan administrator, at (877) 457-9327. The WDC website also has information about enrolling in the program. WDC changes must be made with Empower.

Reminder Supplemental Retirement Payroll Schedule Change
Effective January 2024 the payroll schedule for the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP) and Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC) 457 Program is changing.

Currently, contributions to the UW 403(b) SRP and the WDC 457 Program are processed on every paycheck (typically 26 paychecks a calendar year). Starting in 2024, UW 403(b) SRP and the WDC contributions will be processed on the first two paychecks of each month (24 paychecks during the calendar year).

This change is being made to align the UW 403(b) and WDC contribution deduction schedule with other benefit plan deductions.

Additional information along with action that may be required was emailed to employees enrolled in these plans.

Questions
If you have questions after reviewing the available information, please email Universities of Wisconsin Benefits at serviceoperations@support.wisconsin.edu.

Source: Universities of Wisconsin Office of Human Resources

2023 Benefits and Wellness Fair

Thank you to everyone who visited the Benefits and Wellness Fair on Thursday, September 28th!  Twenty-two vendors attended and a lot of employees and retirees stopped by to learn more about their wellness, enjoy a cookie, talk about retirement or finances, or get answers to their insurance benefit questions.

 

 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program can help employees pay off their student loans.  If you’re employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the PSLF program.  The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on direct loans after you’ve made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan while working full-time for an eligible employer, such as the University of Wisconsin System.  Please check out the Department of Education website for details at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

To be considered for PSLF, start by submitting a PSLF form to UW-Shared Services for processing.  Please visit this webpage to access the PSLF form and instructions for submission:  Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program (wisconsin.edu).  Here is a link to DocuSign, if needed: https://account.docusign.com/.

Questions? Please email serviceoperations@support.wisconsin.edu.
* Never attach PSLF paperwork with Social Security Numbers to an email.

October 13th is Well Wisconsin Incentive Deadline

Earn your $150 Well Wisconsin Program incentive* by completing a health assessment, health check, and one well-being activity by October 13, 2023.

    1. Health Assessment: Log into the WebMD website and answer the assessment questions online. The assessment will take approximately 10-15 minutes.
    2. Health Check: Choose from the options below to complete this requirement:
      • Biometric Screening: Check the WebMD website for clinics located near you.
      • Health Care Provider Form: Report your height, weight, and blood pressure from a visit with your health care provider. Your health care provider does not need to sign this form.
      • Preventive Dental Exam: Get a dental cleaning and report it through the WebMD website.
      • Health Coaching Call: Discuss your current health with a WebMD health coach, set well-being goals and explore solutions to help you attain your goals.

3. Well-being Activity: Select a WebMD activity, complete it, and report it through the WebMD website.

Once you have earned your incentive, you can choose to receive your gift card electronically or mailed to the address you have on file with the UW System.

* You and your spouse are eligible to earn the $150 Well Wisconsin Program incentive if you are enrolled in the State Group Health Insurance Program.

To learn more, review the UW System Well Wisconsin Program web page.

Source: UW System Human Resources

Well Wisconsin Radio: Financial Well-Being

Well Wisconsin Radio podcast discusses topics of health and well-being from experts around the State of Wisconsin

New Episode: Financial Well-Being

Discover how pre-tax savings accounts can be part of a strategy for saving money and identify if it’s a good plan for you in the latest Well Wisconsin Radio interview with Xiong Vang, HSA and ERA Accounts Program manager fro the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds. Then hear from WebMD Health Coach Amy Fink about how to better manage stress, whether it’s from finances or other areas of your life. Don’t miss this episode to help you focus on your financial well-being.

Listen HERE!

Annual Benefits & Wellness Fair

Mark your calendar to attend the Annual UW-Green Bay Employee Benefits & Wellness Fair!

When: Thursday, September 28, 2023

Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Where: University Union Phoenix Room, Green Bay campus

Please stop by to talk about your benefits and wellness to get helpful information as you consider options for the Annual  Benefit Enrollment period.  We’ll have refreshments too!  This year’s Annual Benefits Enrollment period is September 25th to October 20th.

Representatives from the following organizations will be looking forward to talking with you during the fair:

  • Common Ground (Health Insurance)
  • Dean Prevea (Health Insurance)
  • Network (Health Insurance)
  • Robin by HealthPartners (Health Insurance)
  • UnitedHealthcare (Health Insurance for Retirees)
  • Optum (Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts)
  • Securian (Life Insurance)
  • Zurich (Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance)
  • HealthChoice (Long-Term Care Insurance)
  • Fidelity (Supplemental Retirement Program)
  • TIAA (Supplemental Retirement Program)
  • Wisconsin Deferred Compensation
  • Edvest College Savings Plan
  • Kepro (Employee Assistance Program)
  • WebMD Well Wisconsin Program
  • UW-System Benefits Counseling
  • UW-Credit Union
  • UW-Green Bay University Recreation
  • UW-Green Bay Wellness Committee
  • UW-Green Bay Office of Sustainability
  • UW-Green Bay Safety & Environmental Management

Questions? Please contact us at hr@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-2390.

WRS Webinars

ETF (Department of Employee Trust Funds) is offering a series of short, live, interactive webinars designed to increase your understanding of Wisconsin Retirement System benefits.  Individuals can also ask questions at the end of these sessions. To avoid connectivity issues during webinars, we highly recommend using Google Chrome as your web browser.

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.

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

  1. Find information on your Statement of Benefits used for calculations
  2. Enter information into the WRS Retirement Benefits Calculator
  3. See an unofficial estimate of your WRS Retirement Benefits online
  • Wed, April 3, 2024 1:00 pm
  • Tues, April 9, 2024 6:00 pm
  • Tues, April 30, 2024 11:00 am

To register, go to: Events | ETF (wi.gov)

Preparing for Your Retirement

Planning to retire in the next 5 years? Then this webinar is for you. Learn about your WRS benefits and the retirement process.

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

  1. Explain how the WRS retirement benefit works
  2. Recognize eligibility and prepare to apply for benefits
  3. Identify the different types of annuity options
  4. Prepare for health and life insurance changes in retirement
  5. Find additional resources
  • Thu, Mar 14, 2024 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Wed, Mar 27, 2024 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Thur, April 11, 2024 1:00 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/7817059707818435598

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
  • Thur, April 18, 2024 11:00 am
  • Tues, April 23, 2024 6:00 pm
  • Wed, May 1, 2024 1:00pm

To register, go to: Events | ETF (wi.gov)

WRS Retirement Benefit Calculations

Have you requested a retirement estimate? Thinking about it? In this presentation we’ll discuss how we calculate your retirement benefit.

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

  1. Explain the individual components of the two retirement benefit calculation methods.
  2. Describe what affects your WRS retirement benefit for each type of calculation (money purchase and formula)..
  • Tue, Mar 12, 2024 11:00 am – 11:30 am
  • Thu, Mar 21, 2024 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/1367036437589766490

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 webinar, 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.
  • Tue, Mar 12, 2024 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
  • Thu, Mar 28, 2024 11:00 am – 11:30 am

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/2816230146393650271

WRS Benefits: For New and Mid-Career Employees

Are you a new employee or someone who still has at least 5 years to go before you can retire? It’s never too early to start planning for a secure retirement. Learn how to maximize your WRS benefits.

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

  1. Appreciate the benefits of the Wisconsin Retirement System.
  2. Designate a beneficiary or several beneficiaries.
  3. Join or cancel the Variable Fund.
  4. Use additional contributions to supplement your savings for retirement.
  • Wed, Mar 20, 2024 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
  • Tue, Mar 26, 2024 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/1015359842469001308

Onsite Health Screening

Time to register for your onsite health screening!

A free health screening* event has been scheduled 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. Also, Kristi Mulcahey from WebMD/Well Wisconsin will be in the Phoenix Room on May 22nd to answer any questions you have about the Well Wisconsin program.  Register today!

  • LOCATION:  University Union, Phoenix Rooms, Green Bay campus
  • DATES:  Monday, May 22, 2023 or Wednesday, September 20, 2023
  • TIME:  8:00 am to 1:00 pm
    –
  • LOCATION:  Phoenix Room # 2114, Sheboygan campus
  • DATE: Thursday, September 14, 2023
  • TIME: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Please register at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin by clicking Benefits, and then Get Started on the Biometric Screening card.

Earn your $150 Well Wisconsin Incentive

Complete three activities by October 13, 2023 to earn the $150 Well Wisconsin incentive.

  1. Get a health screening or complete another health check option (ex. dental exam or coaching session).
  2. Complete the health assessment at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin – it takes about 10 minutes and is mobile and tablet friendly!
  3. Complete a well-being activity (ex. complete a challenge, listen to two Well Wisconsin pod casts, etc.).

For more information on the Well Wisconsin Program or to complete your activities, log in to webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin­­.

*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.