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.

Upcoming WRS Public Presentations: Understanding the WRS and Related Benefits

The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) will offer free public presentations on Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) benefits in September, October, and November.  These WRS workshops are valuable opportunities for WRS members, spouses, and other individuals seeking general information on retirement issues and ETF-administered benefit programs. Those considering or planning retirement in the near future are encouraged to attend.

Topics covered during the WRS presentations include:

• Requesting a retirement estimate

• Survivor benefits

• Calculating retirement benefits

• Health and life insurance benefits

• Annuity options

• Beneficiary designations

• Separation benefits

• Statement of benefits

• Taxes

• Additional contributions

 To see available dates and times, please follow this link to the schedule: http://etf.wi.gov/news/public_presentations.pdf

Please e-mail benefits@uwgb.edu or call 465-2390 if you have any questions.

Earnings Statement Reminder

As a reminder, Earnings Statements will no longer be e-mailed.  Please use the UW System Portal to access this information going forward.  Earning Statements are made available up to three days prior to the pay date.  Below is some additional helpful information regarding the My UW System Portal.

* The My UW System link is available on the Human Resources home page (http://www.uwgb.edu/hr/) under “Employee Quick Links.”

* If you bookmark the My UW System web page, please bookmark http://my.wisconsin.edu to bring you to the web page where you select “University of Wisconsin-Green Bay” (if you bookmark the page after you select your institution, you could get an error message).

* If you have a space in your UWGB network password, you may have trouble logging into My UW System.  If this is the case, you can reset your password.

* At the screen where you select your institution, the Help Desk recommends that you don’t check “Remember Me.”

* The first time you log into My UW System, it may take awhile.  Successive log ins will proceed more quickly.

* If you received a notice that you need to reset your UWGB network password, and don’t reset your password, your My UW System log in may not work.  You would need to reset your password.

* If you need help with logging into My UW System, please contact the UWGB Help Desk at ext. 2309 or helpdesk@uwgb.edu.

* If you have questions regarding your earnings statements, leave statements and reports, annual tax statements, or benefits statements, please contact ext. 2390 or payroll@uwgb.edu.

Socially Responsible Investing Video Available Online

Scott J. Budde, CFA and Managing Director in TIAA-CREF’s Asset Management Division, presented a Socially Responsible Investing Workshop on May 6, 2010, which was presented via live streaming video conference at UW-Green Bay.

You may view the one-hour SRI Workshop online at http://mediasite.ics.uwex.edu/mediasite5/Viewer/?peid=837e6d56852a4d7c8b2d028a0eaf66f5.

You can also access this presentation under the “What’s New” heading on the UW System TSA Home Page and at the UW System Counseling Web Page.

Please e-mail benefits@uwgb.edu or call 465-2390 if you have any questions.

My UW System Provides Online Access to Your Payroll and Benefits Information

As part of our efforts to continue to plan and prepare for implementation of the new Human Resources System (HRS) sometime in 2011, all UW-Green Bay employees (including student employees) are now able to access payroll, leave and benefit information online.  Earnings statements, unclassified leave statements and furlough reports will no longer be e-mailed to you effective May 24th.

My UW System is an easy-to-use, secure gateway providing convenient online access to:

* Earnings Statements

* Unclassified Leave Statements and Reports (including furlough time reports)

* Annual Tax Statements

* Annual University Staff Benefits Statements

My UW System News and Employee Resources are additional online features that will be used to communicate Payroll, Benefit and Human Resource information.

Access to My UW System

My UW System is available at http://my.wisconsin.edu and can be accessed at any time, from any computer that has an internet connection.  To login, select “University of Wisconsin – Green Bay,” and then enter your UW-Green Bay user ID and password.

Availability of My UW System Statements

Your latest Earnings Statement is available on My UW System at least three days before your pay date; payments are not available until the actual pay date.  Statements are kept online for the current year, plus three prior years, so you have convenient access to payroll, leave and benefit statements.

My UW System Security

Access is secured according to the best practices for web security.  The greatest potential threat to data security comes from users voluntarily sharing their ID and password with others.  You should always log out and close your browser when you have completed your web session.  The My UW System website provides additional information about security.

For More Information

For access to help documents, please visit http://helpdesk.wisc.edu/myuwsystem/

My UW System Maintenance Schedule

On Tuesdays (but not necessarily every Tuesday), between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., maintenance activities could temporarily interrupt access to My UW System.

Every Sunday between 3:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., the My UW System statements will not be available due to maintenance.

Note:  For Classified employees, you will continue to access your timesheets on the Human Resources website.   

Please contact Human Resources/Payroll at hr@uwgb.edu or 920-465-2390 if you would like an overview to assist you in accessing your employee information.

Socially Responsible Investing Video Conference

presented by Scott J. Budde, TIAA-CREF

Find out about Socially Responsible Investing via interactive video.  This is a great opportunity to learn about SRI from an expert – someone who actually manages these funds.  It is free and open to all UW employees and their families.  (Feel free to bring a bag lunch!)

When:             Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. to Noon

Where:           Instructional Services, Room 1034

The presentation will focus on understanding the three main Socially Responsible Investing strategies of Social Screening, Community or Pro-Active Investing, and Corporate Governance.  Investors can get both competitive investment returns and positive impact at the same time.

Mr. Budde is the author of Compelling Returns: A Practical Guide to Socially Responsible Investing Strategies published by Wiley and Sons of New York City.  As Managing Director of the Asset Management Division, Mr. Budde heads TIAA-CREF’s Global Social and Community Investing Department which is responsible for the organization’s community investing programs and overseeing its socially screened funds.

Please e-mail benefits@uwgb.edu or call 465-2390 if you have any questions.

Preparing for Retirement Presentation

by Humana Insurance 

 
You are invited to bring a bag lunch and learn about preparing for retirement.  Larry Moldenhauer and Bill Cooper from Humana Insurance will present information on following topics:

·         Prescription drug plan options
·         What insurance options the market offers
·         Explanation of retirement-related terminology
·         Medicare

Larry and Bill will also be available for one-on-one questions after their presentation.

When:             Monday, April 26, 2010, Noon – 1:00 pm

Where:           Phoenix Room B, University Union                    

Please e-mail benefits@uwgb.edu or call 465-2390 if you have any questions.

Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC) On-Site Counseling Sessions

Get an overview of the Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC) Program, and learn about the benefits of the WDC, including:

* The power of before-tax investing

* Investing during these tough times

* Program features and benefits, including a suite of investment advisory services

* Distribution options

* How to enroll

Our WDC representative will be here to conduct one-on-one appointments with employees to review the WDC.

Whether you are already taking advantage of the investment program or would like more information on beginning your investment, you are encouraged to schedule an appointment.

When:    March 31, 2010, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Where:  Manistique Room, University Union                   

To schedule an individual appointment, call the Wisconsin Deferred Compensation office in Madison at 608-241-6604 or 877-457-9327 option 2. 

Please e-mail benefits@uwgb.edu or call 465-2390 if you have any questions.

Long Term Care Insurance Options

New Insurance Protection for Employees, Annuitants and their Family Members is now available.  Please see the information below regarding United of Omaha Long Term Care insurance policies that were approved by the State of Wisconsin Group Insurance Board.

United of Omaha Life Insurance Company is now offering two new plans; CASH-First and Assured Solutions Gold policies to eligible State and University of Wisconsin Employees, Annuitants, and their family members. These voluntary purchase long-term care insurance policies are offered at a group-discounted premium.

Long-term care insurance is designed to help protect against the high costs of long-term care if you or a family member can no longer perform activities of daily living without the need of assistance. Medicare and most health insurance will not pay for these services. For many, long-term care insurance is an important part of planning for their long-term financial security. Please consider whether the CASH-First or Assured Solutions Gold policies are right for you and/or your parents. (Spouse, parents and in-laws are all eligible to apply, even if you don’t).

The CASH-First and Assured Solutions Gold policies offer additional built-in benefits that include:

  • CASH-First benefits can be used any way you choose – you simply receive the full monthly cash benefit you select to pay for anything at all… family travel expenses, lost income, housekeeping services or other out-of-pocket expenses – there’s no need to collect or submit bills.
  • CASH-First provides cash beginning with the first day of need – no elimination period to satisfy.
  • Waiver of Premium – No premiums are due while you are receiving CASH-First or reimbursement benefits for home health care, assisted living or nursing home care.
  • Many other additional benefits and features listed in the information packet.

HealthChoice also offers CareOptions OnLine (COOL.net) services that are currently available to those who purchase an insurance plan through HealthChoice.

The CareOptions OnLine Program can assist you or family members with issues related to wellness, illness, disability, or aging. As an additional convenience, the CareOptions OnLine service can help you and your family members create Living Wills (advance directives for health care) as well as allow you to conduct online care provider searches and medical information research seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

To receive a complete information packet regarding your long-term care insurance options and the new CareOptions OnLine resources, click here to request an information packet. You may also call HealthChoice toll-free at 1-800-833-5823 or in the Madison area at 833-5823 or email info@healthchoice.com . Direct information link; click or paste in your web browsers address line: http://www.healthchoice.com/reply1

Please e-mail benefits@uwgb.edu or call 465-2390 if you have any questions.

Dreyfus On-Site Counseling Sessions

If you haven’t had a recent review of your investment portfolio or taken full advantage of your ability to invest in a 403(b)(7) plan, you owe it to yourself to know the effect this may have on your financial security.  Dreyfus can review your existing portfolio and individual situation — including investment goals, time horizon and tolerance for risk — to help ensure that your plan assets are allocated properly to meet your retirement needs.  Learn more by attending a Dreyfus 403(b)(7) information session (this is a one-on-one meeting with a Dreyfus representative).

One on-One Portfolio Review

When:    April 19, 2010, 1pm-5pm

Where:  Manistique Room, University Union

To schedule a one-on-one portfolio review, please contact:  retirement@dreyfus.com

Please e-mail benefits@uwgb.edu or call 465-2390 if you have any questions.