Christine Nielsen is the new contact person for payroll and benefits for Classified Staff. Christine’s e-mail address is nielsenc@uwgb.edu and her phone extension is 2846. Sue Miller remains the contact person for payroll and benefits for Unclassified Staff. Please contact us at hr@uwgb.edu or ext. 2390 if you have any questions.
Category: Payroll & Benefits
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.
TIAA-CREF On-Site Counseling Sessions
This is an opportunity for you to discuss your personal financial situation with a TIAA-CREF consultant on a confidential basis in an individual counseling session. They will be available to discuss how to help you achieve your financial goals by investing in financial solutions such as mutual funds, brokerage, life insurance and annuities.
This Individual Counseling Session will help you simplify your retirement by:
* Providing objective advice and asset allocation based on your individual needs
* Showing you how you can obtain a personalized actionable plan
* Recommending fund selections to keep you on track to and through retirement
* Reviewing your retirement income options
| Dates | Times | Location |
| Mon, Mar 29, 2010 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | MAC Hall – Vista Room |
| Tue, Mar 30, 2010 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | MAC Hall – Vista Room |
SIGN UP TODAY:
To discuss your plan and options for managing your retirement savings or to schedule an appointment with a TIAA-CREF Individual Consultant, please call (800)732-8353, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (ET).
Please e-mail benefits@uwgb.edu or call 465-2390 if you have any questions.
Annuity Adjustment Rates Announced
The Department of Employee Trust Funds has announced the annual Annuity Adjustment Rates effective May 1, 2010 for retired members of the Wisconsin Retirement System. Please see the press release for details: http://www.etf.wi.gov/news/pr_20100309.pdf. Please e-mail benefits@uwgb.edu or call 465-2390 if you have any questions.
WRS Presentations
The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) is offering Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) presentations to help employees better understand the WRS and related benefits. For details, please see their presentation schedule.
ETF Announces Effective Rates
The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) has announced the interest rates credited to the retirement accounts of employed Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) members and eligible inactive members. For 2009, the core fund effective rate is 4.2% and the variable fund effective rate is 33%. Please see the ETF announcement for details.
Trust Fund Projections
ETF created a new website where they placed all of their most recent resources relative to investment returns and helping people determine when to retire: http://www.etf.wi.gov/news/ht_20091021.htm. They also released a statement regarding the most recent investment returns and core interest rate projections: http://www.etf.wi.gov/news/2009_annuity_adjustment_projections.pdf.
Please also review UWSA’s “Impact of Current Market Conditions on Your WRS Account” website for additional information: http://www.uwsa.edu/hr/benefits/retsav/wrsdownturn.html.
Information about the Market Downturn and Your Wisconsin Retirement System Benefits
Want to know more about how the market is affecting your retirement benefit. Here is a link to information provided by the Department of Employee Trust Fund and UW Systems.