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.

Well Wisconsin in 2023

2023 has started and you can now start thinking about earning your $150 gift card through Well Wisconsin. This year the three activities must be completed by October 13, 2023 to earn the $150 Well Wisconsin gift card.

  • Health Assessment: Complete WebMD ONE’s 10-minute questionnaire.
  • Health Check: Complete one of the following health checks
    • Biometric Screening
    • Dental Exam
    • One Coaching Session
  • Well-Being Activity: Complete one of the many activities WebMD has to offer

Download the mobile app, Wellness at Your Side

  1. Visit the Apple App Store of the Google Play Store and search “Wellness at Your Side”
  2. After downloading and opening the app, enter your Connection Code: SOWI.

OR

Visit the Well Wisconsin portal at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin.

New in 2023 for your gift cards

Starting in 2023, you will have the option to redeem your $150 Well Wisconsin gift card VIRTUALLY, 2 to 3 business days after your three Well Wisconsin activities are marked complete. You will receive an email with instructions to redeem your gift card. If you prefer a physical gift card is mailed to your home, you can select that option and verify your mailing address. If you do not redeem your gift card within 30 days, it will automatically be sent to the address on file with your employer or ETF.

Well Wisconsin Radio: Let’s Talk Advance Care Planning

Well Wisconsin Radio podcast discusses topics of health and wellbeing from experts around the State of Wisconsin.

Advance Care Planning

Join host, Renee Fox, as she talks with Parini Tolat and Jamie Guerrettaz, two Advance Care Planning Coordinators with UW Health. It takes courage to plan ahead and think about a time in the future when you may not be able to make healthcare decisions for yourself or you are not able to communicate your preferences. Renee’s guests will help folks plan ahead and find comfort knowing their current and future care preferences are in writing, which helps loved ones not have the burden of guessing about wishes.

Click HERE to listen to the podcast now!

Well Wisconsin Radio: Avoiding Holiday Overspending

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

Avoiding Holiday Overspending

Join host, Renee Fox, as she talks with Jody Brown, Vice President of Wealth Management with Summit Financial Advisors. The pressure of spending money on holiday gifts, parties and decorations can cause a lot of stress and make the holidays a little less joyous. Get advice on how to avoid overspending as we approach the holiday season.

Click HERE to listen to the podcast now!

WRS Webinars in October and November

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. To avoid connectivity issues during webinars, we highly recommend using Google Chrome as your web browser.

Additional Contributions

Looking to increase your WRS retirement? Learn how Additional Contributions can increase your WRS retirement benefit.

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

  • Define additional contributions
  • Identify how additional contributions increase your retirement fund
  • Arrange to make additional contributions to your WRS account(s)
  • Find and use ETF resources to calculate your additional contributions amount

Wed, Nov 9, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Thu, Nov 17, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Tue, Nov 29, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/5926226262307348495

Choosing When to Retire

Did you know that when you retire can change how much money you get in retirement? We’ll discuss how retiring throughout the year can change your retirement benefit. We’ll also answer one of the most common questions we receive: “Should I retire in December or January?”

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

  • Define Wisconsin Retirement System termination date and WRS benefit effective date
  • Research and prepare to choose a benefit effective date
  • Choose a benefit effective date to receive your best benefit
  • Find resources to help you choose a benefit effective date

Thu, Nov 10, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Tue, Nov 15, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Wed, Nov 30, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/7923033936348758287

Variable Fund

Does putting money in the Variable Fund make sense for you? You and your employer put money in to your WRS account to save for your future. The money in your account is then invested to increase your savings. By default, your money goes into the Core Fund, but you can choose to put half your money into the Variable Fund.

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

  • Define Variable Trust Fund and explain how it works
  • Analyze how the Variable Fund can affect your retirement benefit
  • Elect to join or cancel the Variable Fund

Thu, Nov 10, 2022, 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Wed, Nov 16, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Tue, Nov 29, 2022, 11:00 am – 11:30 am

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/5069858436874735372

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:

  • Explain how the WRS retirement benefit works
  • Recognize eligibility and prepare to apply for benefits
  • Identify the different types of annuity options
  • Prepare for health and life insurance changes in retirement
  • Find additional resources

Thu, Oct 20, 2022 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wed, Nov 2, 2022 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Thu, Nov 17, 2022 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thu, Dec 1, 2022 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tue, Dec 13, 2022 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/2592441029449835020

WRS Webinars in September

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. To avoid connectivity issues during webinars, we highly recommend using Google Chrome as your web browser.

Additional Contributions

Looking to increase your WRS retirement? Learn how Additional Contributions can increase your WRS retirement benefit.

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

  • Define additional contributions.
  • Identify how additional contributions increase your retirement fund.
  • Arrange to make additional contributions to your WRS account(s).
  • Find and use ETF resources to calculate your additional contribution amount.

Tue, Sep 13, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Thu, Sep 29, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/5016408976452107536

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. Learn what happens to your WRS account when you pass away, why it’s important to designate a beneficiary and the importance of keeping your account up to date.

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

  • Define beneficiary and standard sequence.
  • Explain the importance of a beneficiary form.
  • Identify who or what could be a beneficiary.
  • Select the appropriate beneficiary form.
  • Update your beneficiary.

Tue, Sep 6, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Wed, Sep 14, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Wed, Sep 21, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/3261614806801359888

Variable Fund

Does putting money in the Variable Fund make sense for you? You and your employer put money in to your WRS account to save for your future. The money in your account is then invested to increase your savings. By default, your money goes into the Core Fund, but you can choose to put half your money into the Variable Fund.

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

  • Define Variable Trust Fund and explain how it works.
  • Analyze how the Variable Fund can affect your retirement benefit.
  • Elect to join or cancel the Variable Fund.

Wed, Sep 7, 2022, 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Tue, Sep 13, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Tue, Sep 27, 2022, 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/6428457883935944720

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:

  • Explain how the WRS retirement benefit works.
  • Recognize eligibility and prepare to apply for benefits.
  • Identify the different types of annuity options.
  • Prepare for health and life insurance changes in retirement.
  • Find additional resources.

Thu, Sept 8, 2022 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wed, Sept 21, 2022 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tue, Oct 4, 2022 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thu, Oct 20, 2022 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wed, Nov 2, 2022 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Thu, Nov 17, 2022 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thu, Dec 1, 2022 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tue, Dec 13, 2022 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/2592441029449835020

WRS Webinars in August

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. To avoid connectivity issues during webinars, we highly recommend using Google Chrome as your web browser.

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.

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

  • Define and explain annuity, annuitant, beneficiary and named survivor.
  • Compare the different annuity options.
  • Find resources with more information.
  • Identify the next steps for you to choose an annuity option.

Tue, Aug 2, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Thu, Aug 11, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Tue, Aug 30, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/9049718892596506635

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 webinar, you will be able to:

  • Find information on your Statement of Benefits used for calculations.
  • Enter information into the WRS Retirement Benefits Calculator.
  • See an unofficial estimate of your WRS Retirement Benefits online.

Wed, Aug 3, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Tue, Aug 16, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Thu, Aug 25, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/3307910842676064271

WRS Retirement Benefit Calculations

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

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

  • Explain the individual components of the two retirement benefit calculation methods.
  • Describe what affects your WRS retirement benefit for each type of calculation (money purchase and formula).

Tue, Aug 9, 2022, 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Thu, Aug 25, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Wed, Aug 31, 2022, 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/3088936504935039758

WRS Webinars in July

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. To avoid connectivity issues during webinars, we highly recommend using Google Chrome as your web browser.

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. Learn what happens to your WRS account when you pass away, why it’s important to designate a beneficiary and the importance of keeping your account up to date.

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

  • Define beneficiary and standard sequence.
  • Explain the importance of a beneficiary form.
  • Identify who or what could be a beneficiary.
  • Select the appropriate beneficiary form.
  • Update your beneficiary.

Tue, July 12, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wed, July 20, 2022 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Thu, July 28, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/1235712954144225294

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 the following:

  • Explain your annuity payment and why it may change.
  • Identify mailings you will receive during retirement.
  • Be aware of life changes during retirement that may affect your benefits.

Thu, July 14, 2022 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Tue, July 19, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Wed, July 27, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/3312566174199303180

Overview of the Wisconsin Retirement System

Are you new to the Wisconsin Retirement System? We’ll let you know what to expect.

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

  • Identify and explain the elements of the Wisconsin Retirement System.
  • Explain how the WRS pension works.
  • Identify benefits available through the WRS.
  • Find resources for more information.

Tue, July 12, 2022, 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Thu, July 21, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wed, July 27, 2022 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/3399334134305369869

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:

  • Explain how the WRS retirement benefit works.
  • Recognize eligibility and prepare to apply for benefits.
  • Identify the different types of annuity options.
  • Prepare for health and life insurance changes in retirement.
  • Find additional resources.

Wed, July 13, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Thu, July 28, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tue, Aug 9, 2022 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Wed, Aug 24, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Sept 8, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Wed, Sept 21, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tue, Oct 4, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Oct 20, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wed, Nov 2, 2022 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thu, Nov 17, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thu, Dec 1, 2022 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tue, Dec 13, 2022 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/2592441029449835020

Mental Health Support Available Through Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides employer-paid mental health and other well-being resources for UW System employees and their household family members.

Mental health is a critical part of overall health. Everyone faces challenges in life that may impact their mental health. If life challenges are making it difficult for you to cope, how do you know if what you are experiencing is anxiety or depression? When is it time to get professional help? Are you turning to drugs or alcohol to help you cope?

Don’t wait to reach out for mental health support. Contact the EAP today for help.

The EAP is available twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year to help you connect with a counselor either in-person or virtually to discuss your concerns. Household family members are also eligible for counseling. EAP counseling is confidential and solution-focused with the goal of bringing measurable improvement to the situation.

Grief and Loss Support: Grief and loss are difficult emotions that most everyone experiences. The past few years have been especially difficult. Your EAP can help you work through the emotions that may be causing you distress.

Financial Support: Financial struggles can be a significant source of stress. EAP financial advisors can address your specific concerns and help you determine solutions for managing your financial situation. Take advantage of this free service.

Daily Living Support: Stress associated with daily life can be overwhelming. Whether you’re looking for a cleaning service, realtor, new gym, dog walker, day care options or a moving company, contact the EAP. The EAP will conduct a search and present their findings to you so you can evaluate your options.

Legal Support: Seeking legal advice can be time consuming and expensive. Through the EAP, you have access to creating wills, and a free 30-minute legal consultation with an attorney with expertise in your matter. If you choose to retain the attorney, there will be a 25% reduction in the hourly rate.

Resources: The EAP webpage includes contact information and resources.

Source: UW System Human Resources