Long Term Care Insurance

HealthChoiceNOTE:  This is a voluntary, employee-pay-all premium benefit plan.  Your State of Wisconsin employer does not pay any portion of the premium.

Important Insurance Protection for State, University of Wisconsin, UW Hospitals & Clinics Employees & Annuitants and their Family Members is now available.

Simply click here to request an information packet.

Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Company is now offering a new plan; MutualCare Custom Solution policy to eligible Employees, Annuitants, and their family members. These voluntary purchase long-term care insurance policies are offered at a group-discounted premium. (Spouse, domestic partner, parents and in-laws are all eligible to apply, even if you don’t purchase)

Each year, many Americans lose significant income, savings and assets because of long-term care expenses. 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. Health insurance or Medicare will not pay for this type of care. For many, long-term care insurance is an important part of planning for their long-term financial security.

HealthChoice also provides CareOptions services to all State, University of Wisconsin and UW Hospitals & Clinics Employees, Annuitants and their family members at no charge and no insurance purchase required. To use this service, request an information packet and it will contain the CareOptions member access information.

The MutualCare Custom Solution policy offers additional built-in benefits that include:

  • If, prior to age 65, you sustain an injury requiring home health care, assisted living facility or nursing home care, your policy will pay up to two times the maximum benefit.
  • Cash benefits that  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 beginning with the first day of need – no elimination period to satisfy.
  • Many other additional benefits and features listed in the information packet.

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

We urge you to investigate this plan for you and your family. To receive a complete information packet regarding your long-term care insurance options and access to the new CareOptions resources, simply 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. For a direct information link, click or paste in your web browser’s address line: http://www.healthchoice.com/reply1

Since 1995, State of Wisconsin employees, annuitants, their spouses and parents have had the option of purchasing a long-term care insurance policy through HealthChoice. (Spouse, domestic partner, parents and in-laws are all eligible to apply, even if you don’t).

COOL™ and CareOptions® are registered trademarks of NavGate Technologies®, a division of CareQuest® Inc. The COOL and CareOptions system is owned and operated by NavGate Technologies and provided by HealthChoice Insurance Solutions as a service to its group members. CareOptions is a consumer driven wellness and care planning system – CareOptions is not insurance nor is it owned or operated by any insurance company, HMO or care provider.

This insurance plan has been authorized by the Group Insurance Board for the purpose of offering long term care insurance to eligible State of Wisconsin employees and retirees under authority granted by Wis. Stats. § 40.55 and as set forth in Wis. Admin Code Chapter ETF 41. The criteria the Board uses include, but are not limited to: documentation of financial stability, demonstration of a reasonable ratio of claims paid to the premium level, authority to conduct business in the State of Wisconsin, agreeing to conditions for the rate-making process and other administrative conditions. ETF staff and the Board’s actuary review proposals for participation prior to Board approval. However, the Board does not require competitive bids nor a benefit comparison with similar products from other vendors. Authorization for payroll deduction should not be construed as an endorsement of this plan by either the Group Insurance Board or the Department of Employee Trust Funds. This insurance has exceptions, limitations and reductions. This letter is used as a source of leads in the solicitation of insurance and you may be contacted by an insurance agent if you request an information packet.

Insurance products are offered through HealthChoice. HealthChoice is not affiliated with any insurance company or HMO. Long-Term Care Insurance is underwritten by United of Omaha Life Insurance Company, Omaha, Nebraska 68175.

Policy form ICC13-LTC13
ICC13-M28385-WIAG

HealthChoice
583 D’Onofrio Drive 101 • Madison, Wisconsin 53719
(800) 833-5823 • Fax (608) 833-7540
E-mail: info@healthchoice.comwww.healthchoice.com

ETF – Live Webinars

Live Webinars Scheduled

ETF is offering a series of live, interactive webinars – online presentations – designed to increase your understanding of Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) benefits. Unless otherwise noted, all webinars are 30 minutes with time for webinar-topic related questions at the end of the sessions.

NEW Topics:

  • Variable Fund
  • Buying Service
  • Annuity Options

Check the ETF Live Webinar Website for dates and times.

Unsolicited Telephone Calls Regarding Annuities and Retirement Benefits

Some members of the Wisconsin Retirement System have received unsolicited telephone calls from persons offering to come to the member’s home to discuss their retirement account. The caller claims to be associated with the Department of Employee Trust Funds. ETF is not associated with these solicitations and does not share or sell member information to third parties. In addition, ETF does not schedule meetings in the private homes of members. Individuals who have concerns about receiving one of these solicitations should contact ETF toll-free at 1-877-533-5020.

Your Annual WRS Statement of Benefits is Now Available Online

Your Annual Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Statement of Benefits is now available online in the My UW System portal: http://my.wisconsin.edu.  Login to the portal and go to the “Benefit Information” module and click on the “Statements” tab.  Click on “ETF Annual Statement of Benefits (WRS) Issued 2014” to view and print your statement.  Please note that you will not receive a paper copy of the statement.

The WRS Annual Statement of Benefits provides you with information about your Wisconsin Retirement System account as of January 1, 2014. Information on the statement includes 2013 WRS earnings and creditable service; total years of WRS creditable service, and separation and death benefit calculations.  You should review this statement closely for accuracy.

Statement Section 2 – After Act 10 Service
The name of your retirement category is in both Sections 1 and 2 of the Statement.  If you are in a General, Teacher or Protective retirement category, all of your creditable service will be listed in the “Before 2000” and/or “After 1999” columns in Section 2 of the Statement.

Only employees in an Elected or Executive retirement category will have creditable service in the “After Act 10” column.  2011 Wisconsin Act 10 changed the way retirement benefits are calculated for Elected/Executive category employees so service earned after Act 10 must be tracked separately for this group of employees.

Information to Help You Understand Your WRS Statement
Explanation of Annual Statement of Benefits (ET-7333)

Video Explanation of the Statement 

WRS Annual Statement of Benefits Help Page (includes the above links plus additional information)

Webinars dates and times will be released soon and available on the ETF Webinars page

Information Regarding Interest Rates and Annuity Adjustments
Webinars and Video: Interest Rates and Annuity Adjustments

Please note that if you have recently been upgraded to Firefox 19 (with a new built-in PDF viewer) you may find your statement unreadable in the My UW System portal. For workaround instructions visit:
https://kb.wisc.edu/page.php?id=29006.  Please contact your institution’s IT helpdesk if further assistance is needed.

 

Wisconsin Deferred Compensation Individual Sessions

Scott Schewe, representative from WDC, will be available to meet individually with employees regarding their current WDC enrollment and for those interested in learning more about the program and planning for retirement by investing before tax dollars.  Please see the attachments for more information about WDC’s Program highlights and new options.

When:   Thursday; April 24, 2014; 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where:   Student Services Building, Room 1705

You can schedule an individual session with Scott Schewe by emailing him at scott.schewe@greatwest.com

T. Rowe Price Offers Live Webinars

T. Rowe Price Offers Live Webinars  —  April 1, 2 and 3

T. Rowe Price, one of the investment companies in your UW TSA 403(b) Program, again offers the well-received webinar Retirement Investing From Beginning to End.  This is a live presentation over the web, and there will be time for you to ask questions and get your questions answered.

Retirement Investing From Beginning to End  – This 40-minute program is a comprehensive presentation that explains asset classes, reviews the concepts of risk and return, and helps you make the most of your investment choices. The plan’s investment options will be discussed and profiled using market capitalization, investment style, and geographic characteristics.

  • Tuesday, April 1, 2014 – 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 2, 2014 – 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 3, 2014 – 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

You may sign up and watch the presentation on your own computer.  Listen to the audio portion on the telephone. To register for the live webinar, visit: http://rpstrowepricereg32.fugent.com.

TIAA-CREF Individual Counseling Sessions

TIAA-CREF INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING SESSIONS – April 9-10, 2014

TIAA-CREF is offering individual and confidential counseling sessions where you can discuss your financial situation with a TIAA-CREF consultant.  A representative will be available to help you achieve your financial goals by investing in financial solutions.

Please see the attached flyer for more information about TIAA-CREF sessions at UWGB.   To schedule a consultation with representative Chad Stein, call 1-866-843-5640  Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 8:00pm (EST), or register at www.tiaa-cref.org/letstalk1 .

 

TIAA-CREF Individual Counseling Sessions

TIAA-CREF INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING SESSIONS – April 9-10, 2014

TIAA-CREF is offering individual and confidential counseling sessions where you can discuss your financial situation with a TIAA-CREF consultant.  A representative will be available to help you achieve your financial goals by investing in financial solutions.

Please see the attached flyer for more information about TIAA-CREF sessions at UWGB.   To schedule a consultation with representative Chad Stein, call 1-866-843-5640  Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 8:00pm (EST), or register at www.tiaa-cref.org/letstalk1 .

2014 WRS Benefit Presentations

2014 Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Benefit Presentations

Each spring and fall, the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) hosts free presentations for employees throughout the state on WRS and other benefit programs.  ETF offers two different benefit presentations: one for those within five years of retirement and one for new and mid-career employees.

New & Mid-Career Employees

These one-hour evening presentations are designed for WRS members who are more than five years from retirement.  ETF provides accurate information about WRS benefits early in a member’s career so that they can make sound, strategic decisions over the course of their careers.  Topics covered at each presentation include vesting requirements, various ways to enhance a WRS retirement benefit, purchasing service, military service credit, the Core and Variable Trust Funds, contribution rates, the importance of a beneficiary form and how to complete one, as well as how “life event” changes affect retirement benefits.

Presentations in our area:

  • Green Bay
    • Monday, April 14, 2014
    • 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
    •  Northeast Wisconsin Technical College – Lecture Hall (SC132)

Tentative Fall 2014 WRS Presentations set for: Appleton, Marinette, and Wausau.  We will send out more information when details become available.

WRS Members Nearing Retirement

These two-hour evening presentations are designed for WRS members who are within five years of retirement.  Attendees will receive the information they need to make important decisions at retirement.  Topics covered at each presentation include WRS annuity options, return-to-work rules, post-retirement annuity adjustments, the Core and Variable Trust Funds, the importance of keeping a beneficiary form up to date, purchasing service before retirement, the difference between a joint survivor and a beneficiary, as well as how “life event” changes affect WRS retirement benefits.

Presentations in our area:

  • Appleton
    • Thursday, March 6, 2014
    • 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
    • Fox Valley Technical College – Cafeteria/Commons
  • Marinette
    • Monday, March 3, 2014
    • 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
    • Marinette High School – W.J. Jones Auditorium

Tentative Fall 2014 WRS Presentations set for: Green Bay.  We will send out more information when details become available.

For full details on ETF’s presentations, including locations of other presentations not in the Green Bay area, please see the ETF Employer Bulletin or visit ETF’s website: http://etf.wi.gov/.

Fidelity Investments Individual Counseling Sessions

Fidelity Investments is offering individual counseling sessions where you can confidentially discuss your financial situation with a Fidelity representative.  These sessions will give you the opportunity to:

Explore your plan benefits in more depth

  • Consolidate retirement account into the UW 403(b) retirement plan
  • Explore distribution options for pre-retirees
  • Tap into Fidelity’s experience and expertise
  • Make decisions that help you meet your goals

David Eichler, Fidelity Planning & Guidance Consultant will be coming to campus on:

Tuesday, February 18, 2014
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
University Union, Heritage Room

To schedule a confidential consultation with your Fidelity Investments representative, David Eichler, call 1-800-642-7131 or go to www.fidelity.com/atwork/reservations.