403(b) wise guy

SUMMER 2012

your insuranceStep up your insurance literacy

your securityReady your home for vacation

your kioskTeens + IRA = $uper $avvy

}TM

weabenefits.com

your$™A magazine from WEA Trust Member Benefits

403(b) advocate Dan Otter knows a good plan when he sees one. “You guys are good.”

Plus:

WE WON!

services, you come first. Many companies will say this is how they operate, but their actions show otherwise.

If you are not currently utilizing all of our programs, take some time this summer to learn how we can help you. Remember, this is a unique opportunity for you to be served by someone who truly puts you first.

I hope you enjoy this issue. It is packed full of good information to help you make sound financial decisions.

Have a great summer.

3 YOUR ACCOUNT- Retired,changedjobs?

Noproblem.- Newdigs?Updateyouraddress.- Getajumponincreasingyour

403(b)contributions.

4 YOUR RESOURCE- DanOtter,nationallyrecognized

403(b)advocate,shareshisthoughtsonthestateofthe403(b).

6 YOUR SECURITY- Protectyourhome(andidentity)

whileyou’revacationing.

46

We learned the results of the EIFLE Awards shortly after our last your$ went out. What a thrill to be nationally recognized for our Don’t Be Jack™ game.

Dan Otter, featured in this issue, is also nationally recognized

as a 403(b) expert and advocate. In 2004, he complimented us on our 403(b) program stating “this program has all the components I advocate for: education, low fees, and quality investment options.” In this interview (eight years

later), he is still a fan, claiming that in his experience Wisconsin public school employees have access to something that others across the nation don’t.

Our program is unique, but it’s a simple recipe we follow. We start with a mission that puts those we serve first. Everything else that Otter advocates for naturally flows from that: we keep fees low for the member, we provide unbiased education for the member, and we offer quality investment options for the member.

This same philosophy is applied to all that we do. Whether it’s insurance for your auto or home, an IRA, long-term care insurance, or financial planning

your$CONTENTS SUMMER2012

{

8 YOUR INSURANCE- Surveysays…manyfolkshave

misconceptionsabouttheirinsurancepolicies.

- What’sinsurancescoring?- KnowyourLTCoptions.

10 YOUR KIOSK- Whyyourworkingteenshould

haveanIRA.

president’s letterDave Kijek, President/CEO,WEATrustMemberBenefits{

2 weabenefits.com

© 2012 WEA Member Benefit Trust.All Rights Reserved.

™

We talk the talk. We walk the walk. Members first.

10

Follow us.

weabenefits.com

{ your account

IRA and 403(b) NewsRetired or changed jobs?

If you have a 403(b) or an IRA with us, you can keep it here regardless of your employment status or district decisions about health insurance or other group plans. Call us if you have questions.

New address? Let us knowIf you have recently moved or have plans to move this summer, please let

us know your new address.

• Contact us directly at 1-800-279-4030 or log into your WEAccess account to change your address on your retirement savings accounts.

• If you also have your auto or homeowners insurance with us, you can use our online Update Your Policy application or call 1-800-279-4010 to make the change.

Give us a call, we’d love to hear from you Too busy during the school year to find answers to your questions regard-

ing your retirement accounts and personal insurance? Call us this summer at 1-800-279-4030. We’re here to answer your questions.

Increase your 403(b) contributionsNow is a good time to update your Salary Reduction Agreement (SRA)

to take advantage of new 2012 403(b) contribution limits. Do it now and you’ll be ready to go for the school year. To obtain an SRA for your district, you may print one from our Web site at www.weabenefits.com or call us at 1-800-279-4030 and we’ll send it to you.

Socially responsible fundsAt Member Benefits we offer a wide variety of quality investment choices.

One of those choices is a socially responsible investment (SRI) fund. For those of you not familiar with these investments, SRI funds not only screen securities for potential returns but also for social and environmental busi-ness practices. For example, our Parnassus Equity Income Institutional fund screens companies for environmental, employee relations, employ-ment diversity, community involvement, and ethical business activities. In addition, SRI funds may not invest in companies that manufacture alcohol or tobacco, are involved in gambling, manufacture weapons, or generate nuclear power. With this additional evaluation process, SRI funds have a smaller number of investment opportunities available, which may hinder their performance. If you have questions about SRI funds or other invest-ments available, please call us at 1-800-279-4030, Ext. 8568.

Keep in mind that mutual fund investments are not guaranteed and may gain or losevalue.Pastperformance isnoguarantee for futureresults.Futureperformancemaybelowerorhigherthanpastperformance.Beforeinvestinginanymutualfund,callWEATrustMemberBenefitsat1-800-279-4030torequestaprospectus.Weadviseyoutoreaditcare-fullyandconsiderthefund’sinvestmentobjectives,risks,andchargesandexpensescare-fullybeforeinvesting.Theprospectuscontainsthisandotherinformationabouttheinvest-mentcompany.

TheTrusteefortheWEACIRAprogramisFirstBusinessTrust&Investments.The403(b)retirement program is offered by the WEA TSA Trust. TSA program securities offeredthroughWEAInvestmentServices,Inc.,memberFINRA.

We WON!We are so excited! Our Don’t Be Jack™

financial learning game won an Excellence In Financial

Literacy Education (EIFLE) Award. The EIFLE Awards were created by

the Institute for Financial Literacy to acknowledge innovation, dedication,

and a strong commitment to financial literacy education. Winners were

announced on April 18, 2012, during the Annual Conference on Financial

Education in Orlando, Florida.

Learn about Don’t Be Jack

at weabenefits.com/dontbejack

3

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“enroll them in a 401k type plan.” I get so fearful when I hear this because I can imagine what that might look like. Public school employees with no pension are stuck with a bad one-provider 403(b) plan.

Even if pension plans don’t go away, I predict that the formulas will change. Employees may not get as much in retirement and they will need to make it up someplace else to support a certain lifestyle. Public school employees need to recognize the 403(b) as a necessary tool to supplement their pension plans. They also need to be really wise about how they work, and understanding fees is critical.

Youmentionedearlierthattoomanychoicesisaproblem.So,isn’tgoingto a single provider plan a goodthing?

It’s a great idea if it’s like the WEA TSA Trust 403(b) program. The problem is that the culture of the 403(b) world is typically high-fee plans. So, there is great potential for public school employees to have a high-fee 403(b) as their only option. In this scenario, they are stuck. Their opportunities for building their retirement savings are very limited.

As a new teacher in California in the 90s, Dan learned of the 403(b) savings option not from his employer but from a high-pressure insurance

agent that visited him in his classroom. “She was throwing around terms I didn’t understand. I felt confused, pressured, and overwhelmed.”

In his quest for 403(b) information and advice, he discovered a void. “There was literally no resource for 403(b) information other than the IRS PUB571.”

The lack of easy-to-digest information was compounded by the over 200 potential 403(b) providers the district allowed, many of which sold high-fee products.

It was apparent to Dan that change would only come if someone stepped up to expose the problems and advocate for reform. He took the challenge and has since been on a mission to ensure access to high-quality, low-cost 403(b) options, provide unbiased financial information, and improve financial literacy instruction in our schools.

We spoke with Dan, who shared his thoughts about the 403(b) world and the role it plays in the financial health of educators. He also threw in his two cents about the WEA TSA Trust 403(b) program.

You’vebeenadvocating for403(b)reform since 2000. What changeshaveyouseeninthelast12years?

First, vendor lists are getting smaller. Second, there is more focus on fees. Third, I think there is more awareness in general of the 403(b).

Much of this is the result of new IRS regulations that went into effect in 2010 requiring employers to take a closer look at their 403(b) vendors.

Has the role of the 403(b) as aretirementsavingstoolchangedforpublicschoolemployees?

Absolutely. Its role is increasingly more important. Pension plans for public school employees are under assault nationally. And I can envision a day when pensions are closed to new teachers/employees. The phrase I keep hearing from politicians is

wise guyDanOtterisawiseguywhenitcomesto403(b)plans.Hehasbeenpushingfor403(b)reformsince2000whenhelaunched403bwise.com.Asateacher,Danknowsfirsthandtheissuesthathinderpubliceducatorsfromfullyutilizinga403(b)tosecuretheirfuture:high-costproducts,toomanychoices,andlackofknowledge.

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offers fee-based financial planning services provided by a CFP® who does not earn a commission for product sales. This is another great opportunity for Wisconsin educators.

We’ve talked about the value ofquality, low-cost 403(b) providersto the employee, but ultimately thedecision is with the employer. Whyshould districts care what vendorstheyofferintheirplan?

District administrators should care about their employees. When they have unhappy employees, do they think they will have good outcomes? Will they improve instruction? If employees feel they are being ripped off, will they want to stay in the district? They should also care because the choices they make impact

person is getting paid or how much you will pay them.

I’m not saying there isn’t a role for a financial advisor or planner. In fact, as you get closer to retirement, it may be a good

move. However, choose who you work with wisely. I suggest you do three things:• Work with a fee-based Certified Financial

Planner®, a CFP.• Ask them, “Do you pledge to be a

fiduciary?” They know it means an obligation to put your best interest ahead of theirs.

• Then, ask them for all the costs in writing.

There is an advisor questionnaire at 403bwise.com that will also be helpful. Also, I understand Member Benefits

Nationally, how does our 403(b)compare?

I can think of no one that does it as well. I know of no union that did what WEAC did for their members, to create a separate organization—a trust—solely for the benefit of its members. Wisconsin is unique.

To give your readers some perspective, in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), 95% of employees with 403(b) accounts pay on average 2.11% for their 403(b), compared to your 0.35% annual administrative fee. Plus, in California if you move your money, there are often 8% surrender charges. Some of which are rolling surrender charges, meaning a new surrender charge period begins for each new contribution.

Most of these high-fee vendors push equity index annuities. These are awful products. They are complex and promise the return of the market with the safety of a fixed account. Totally unrealistic, but it sounds appealing to an uninformed investor.

And, LAUSD is a perfect example of choice overload. There are more than 26 403(b) vendors each offering scores of investment choices. Studies show that when faced with too many choices, the human tendency is to either make no decision at all or to make bad choices.

I hope the educators in Wisconsin recognize what a great 403(b) program they have available to them. Educators elsewhere do not have it this good. I’ve been so impressed with your organization.

There are many different fees thatproviders can assess. How cansomeone know for sure what theyarebeingcharged?

In terms of 403(b) product fees, some companies—such as Vanguard, Fidelity, TIAA-CREF, T.Rowe Price, or an organization like yours—are very clear about their fees. However, fees you pay for annuities issued by life insurance companies and mutual fund investments with front-end loads can be harder to identify.

Then there are fees you may pay if you work with someone who sells the annuity and mutual fund products I just mentioned. You need to be careful because it may not be obvious how this

403(b) envyAccordingtoDan,95.5%of403(b)participantsintheLosAngelesUnifiedSchoolDistrictpayanaverage2.11% in fees.AtWEATrustMemberBenefits,participantspay0.35% in fees—with an annual cap of $300*.IfyouhaveaMemberBenefits403(b)/TSA,you’resavingalotofgreen,whileothersaregreenwithenvy.

“I hope educators in Wisconsin recognize what a great 403(b) program they have available to them.”

* If you are invested in mutual funds, mutual fund management fees may apply.

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The idea of taking some well-earned time off and “getting away” is relished by all of us. In eager anticipation of spending time away from home with family and friends, it’s easy to overlook the importance of preparing your home and property for your absence.

Most burglaries occur in July and August (peak vacation months) and homeowners insurance claims due to theft total about $1 billion annually with the average claim around $2,500.

Don’t create an invitation to potential thieves by leaving your home with a “no one is home” curb appeal. Here are some preventive measures you can take to reduce the risk of loss and give you peace of mind while you’re away.

Make it look like you’re home• Leave exterior lights on. • Put indoor lights, TV, or a radio on

timers. • Leave your curtains or blinds open.• Have your mail and packages picked up,

forwarded, or held by the post office.• Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to keep

an eye on your house and even park in your driveway periodically.

• Arrange to have your lawn mowed and

identity theft coverage.Identitytheftisthefastestgrowingwhitecollarcrimeinthecountry,accordingtotheFederalTradeCommission.Theaverageconsumerout-of-pocketcostduetoidentitytheftis$851perincident.Identitytheftinsurancewon’tpreventidentitytheftfromoccurring,butitcanmakeiteasiertorecoverifyouridentityisstolen.ThehomeownerspolicyofferedbyWEAProperty&Casualtyincludesidentitytheftcoverage,coveringupto$10,000ofout-of-pocketcosts,aswellascostsassociatedwithservicesyoumayneedtohelpstraightenoutcreditrecordsandreclaimyouridentity.

Property and casualty insurance programs are underwritten by WEA Property & Casualty Insurance Company. The terms and conditions of your coverage are exclusively controlled by your written policy. Please refer to your policy for details.

Protect your identityKeep in mind that the risk is not limited

to physical property. A burglar could obtain credit card information, Social Security numbers, or other identification information by going over personal documents or mail they may find in your home or on your home computer. So take care to protect your identity as well. • Turn off your computer and disconnect

from the Internet. • Require a user name and password to

boot up your computer. If you keep personal information on your computer, it’s best to encrypt the files using encryption software such as TrueCrypt. It’s as simple as creating an encrypted folder where you drag and drop all files you want protected.

• When you’re on the road, avoid accessing your financial information on a public or hotel computer.

• If you receive a call claiming to be from your bank’s fraud department, call the bank’s customer service number to verify before you give out any information.

The out-of-pocket costs to resolve identity theft damage can run into the thousands, and it can take months, if not years, for an identity theft victim to resolve their case.

outdoor plants watered (or your walk shoveled if you travel in the winter). Nothing says “we’re not home” like an overgrown lawn and unkempt yard or walk.

Don’t make it easy• Don’t announce on Facebook, in an

auto-response e-mail, or on a phone message that you are taking a two-week vacation.

• Make sure to lock all windows and doors. Secure sliding patio doors by placing a metal rod in the track.

• Consider an alarm system. Not only will this deter potential burglars, but you may qualify for a discount on your homeowners insurance.

Protect your home while you’re on

vacation

{ your security

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their retirement savings options as well. It’s their plan, too.

Howhasyourfocuschangedovertheyears?

My goal to provide financial education to the educator has broadened to financial literacy for all. All of us need to understand financial concepts in order to make wise financial decisions. For example, compound interest. It’s important to understand that there are two edges to that sword. As a debtor, compound interest can have severe negative consequences. As an investor, it’s your best friend.

It’s amazing to me that we’ve been through the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and we have no meaningful financial literacy instruction in schools in this country.

My dissertation focused on how to improve financial literacy in the schools. I discovered a couple of things in my research. First, educators overwhelmingly believe that financial education should begin in elementary school. Second, there are massive barriers to providing financial education in the schools, primarily time. There is such an overt focus on the testable subjects there is no time in the day to do it. Third, teachers can’t teach well what they don’t know well. We can’t expect educators to teach financial concepts they do not understand themselves.

Whatadvicedoyouhaveforeducators?For the beginner, start something, even if it

is $50 a month. The power of compounding over time is your best friend. Look into target date retirement funds as an investment option. These are single funds aimed at a date in the future, such as 2030, that automatically become more conservative the closer you get to your target year.

If you are mid-career, hopefully you are already participating. Contribute to the maximum amount you possibly can. Don’t fund your child’s college at the expense of your retirement. There is widespread agreement that funding your retirement should come first, because college can be paid for with grants, scholarships, or student loans. When you are in your 70s, you have very limited options to earn more money.

For those close to retirement, sit down with a CFP® and get a total understanding of what retirement will cost. You can’t afford to get retirement wrong.

Teacher: Dan has a broad range of experience as a teacher, having taught at the elementary, middle school, high school, and college levels.

Advocate: He was recently identified by Money Magazine as one of 40 Money Advocates.

Author: Dan has written two books, including Teach and Retire Rich (available through 403bwise.com and at teachandretirerich.com), which was lauded by Vanguard founder John Bogle, and Financial Literacy for the Young (and the Young at Heart) currently available at the iTunes store.

Founder: 403bwise.com, which Dan co-founded, is a Web site devoted to advocacy for quality, low-cost 403(b) options for public school employees. Jane Bryant Quinn “highly recommends” 403(b)wise, while Money Magazine calls it “The leading source for news and information on the 403(b) retirement plan” for teachers and non-profit workers. About.com calls 403(b)wise a “Best of the Net.”

Expert: Dan has been mentioned in numerous media outlets, including Kiplinger Personal Finance, The LA Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and USA Today.

He has been interviewed by the New York Times, Washington Post, Morningstar, and NPR’s Sound Money.

Presenter: As a financial literacy advocate, Dan tirelessly presents to education groups around the country.

Doctor: Dan earned his doctorate from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. His dissertation focused on improving financial literacy in our schools. WANT MORE:

403bwise.com

danotter.com{The 403(b) retirement program is offered by the WEA TSA Trust. TSA program securities offered through WEA Investment Services, Inc., member FINRA.

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{ your insurance

Believe it or not, insurance is an important part of your financial security. Gaps in insurance coverage may leave

you financially exposed.If you’re like most people, once you’ve

purchased insurance, you don’t think about it much. You assume that if something happens, your insurance will pay for it and you’re covered. But are you?

Unfortunately, many people have a knowledge gap when it comes to their insurance coverage. According to a recent

survey conducted by Zogby International, nearly one-third of Americans don’t know how much their most valuable assets—their homes—are insured for. And more than half misunderstand what their insurance company would pay if their new car was totaled in an accident.

Below are several highlights from the survey that show common misconceptions people have about their insurance coverage. At a time when most of us are trying to save more and spend less, the tendency is to choose the lowest cost policy. However,

this strategy could backfire if you don’t have the coverage you need when you need it. Learn about your policy options and select the coverage (and the insurer) that best meets your needs instead of just shopping for the lowest premium. Make sure you know what coverages you do and do not have.

Review your coverage with one of our personal insurance consultants. Call 1-800-279-4010 or sign up for a personal phone consultation at a time convenient for you at weabenefits.com/consults.

Insurance literacy

Survey Says …

Survey:Morethantwo-thirdsofthose surveyed believe insurancepays for the full cost to rebuildtheir property in the event of amajorloss,suchasafireorothernaturaldisaster.

Survey: Thirty percent ofhomeowners believe theirinsurance coverage is based onthecurrentmarketvalueoftheirhome.

Survey: Fifty-two percent ofrespondentsbelievethatiftheirnew vehicle were totaled, theywould be reimbursed the fullpurchaseprice.

Fact: Nearlyallinsurancecompaniesplace a cap on the amount paid torebuild your dwelling following atotal loss unless additional coverageispurchased.Certaintypesoflosses,such as flooding, are completelyexcluded.

Your coverage should be based on current market costs for materials and labor to rebuild your home. Review your homeowners coverage periodically to make sure it is keeping up with costs for rebuilding.

If you have a WEA Property & Casualty Insurance Company homeowners policy and your home is 50 years old or newer, we will pay the full cost to repair or replace your home with materials of like kind and quality, subject to normal policy terms.

Fact: Neither the market value northe assessed value of your homereflectswhatitwillcosttorebuildandshouldnotbeusedasabasisforhowmuch home insurance coverage youhave. Labor and material costs maycontinue to rise even as home pricesfall.

At Member Benefits we will assess your coverage to make sure it is appropriate for your situation. Plus, our policies include inflation guard protection, which automatically increases your coverage limits each year to help keep up with cost increases. If you would like an insurance review, contact one of our personal insurance consultants.

Fact: It’s not very likely. For moststandard auto insurance policies,whenavehicleistotaled—regardlessof when it was bought—insurancecompanies factor in depreciationwhenassessingtheloss.Vehiclescandepreciateupto20%inthefirstyear.

WEA Property & Casualty Insurance Company provides a new car guarantee with our auto policy. If you have a total loss of a vehicle that is less than 180 days (6 months) old and you carry both collision and comprehensive coverages, we will pay you the original purchase price of the vehicle (less your deductible) .

Property and casualty insurance programs are underwritten by WEA Property & Casualty Insurance Company. The terms and conditions of your coverage are exclusively controlled by your written policy. Please refer to your policy for details.

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If you have applied for a mortgage or financed a vehicle, you have likely heard about FICO scores. While FICO credit scores are used by financial institutions and credit card companies to determine whether you will get a loan and at what interest rate, a different kind of score is used by most insurers to determine your eligibility for coverage and what your premiums will be.

Insurance scores take into account many aspects of your credit report, including your payment history and your current level of debt. This information is used with your past claims history, driving record (for auto insurance), property inspection (for property insurance), and the type and value of the vehicle/home you are insuring to determine your eligibility and your premium rates.

Before the use of scoring, underwriting was often a slow and subjective process. According to FICO (the company that collects and distributes data for this evaluation process), insurance scoring has resulted in great improvements to the underwriting process. It has also helped make insurance rates lower overall, because more efficient processing results in cost savings for insurers.

what is insurance scoring?

Losing group long-term care insurance? What you need to know

Many school districts have dropped their group long-term care insurance (LTCi) employee benefit and several others are considering it. If you have group LTCi through your district, you need to understand the value of this insurance and know what your options are in the event your district discontinues the benefit.

Don’t miss deadlinesIf your district drops the group plan,

you have a limited time (generally 60 days) to learn about and act on the options. This is especially important for members who are older or have health or weight issues. If you don’t make a decision within the required time frame, your options for coverage may be greatly reduced or lost.

Learn your optionsMember Benefits can provide

objective recommendations. We will help you consider how your age, health, and financial circumstances intersect with the number of years

• What LTCi costs and premium options to fit your budget.

• How your family members can participate.

Seminar schedule and registration at weabenefits.com/calendar.

LTC insurance products are underwritten by multiple LTCi providers. Program administered by LTCi Marketing Administrators (LiMA).

the plan has been in your district and your retirement status. We offer personal phone/online appointments seven days a week. To schedule an appointment, call 888-247-5905 or visit weabenefits.com/ltc.

We’re also available to hold informational group and individual meetings in your district. We invite local leadership and districts to contact us to schedule a visit from one of our LTCi specialists.

Know the value of LTCiWhether or not your district offers

LTCi protection, we are here to help you. Since 1998, we have educated more than 19,000 Wisconsin public school employees throughout the state about long-term care.

Attend a seminar to learn:• What LTCi covers. • Why it is an essential

component of comprehensive health insurance protection.

w H A T D O E S TN

M E OT M EAI

What it means to you: • Underwriting decisions are fairer

to all because the process is more objective. Gender, race, religion, nationality and marital status are not considerations with insurance scoring.

• Scoring has made insurance rates lower overall, according to FICO.

• Improvements to your credit report can positively impact your insurance rates.

• Insurers who use scoring can offer you more policy options because they have a better under-standing of the risk they are taking on.

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{ your kiosk

TEEnS + IRA = $AvvyIs your teenager planning for retirement?

It sounds strange, yet setting up a Roth IRA for your teen may be one of the smartest things you can do. Plus, it doesn’t require a lot of dough to get it going.

Albert Einstein called compound interest the “eighth wonder of the world.” The earlier teens start saving the better, even if it’s just a small amount.

Powerful financial lesson Convincing your teen to part with

his or her hard-earned money in order to prepare for 2050 or later may be a challenge, but getting their “buy in” can impart a powerful message and instill good financial habits.

Hint: Use online financial calculators that demonstrate the long-term benefits of compounding interest to get your teen’s attention. Visit lei.councilforeconed.org/ and click on Interactives.

Get a jump on the new retirement reality

Let’s face it. Your kids’ retirement will look different. Employer pensions are becoming increasingly rare and the future of Social Security is questionable. This puts the responsibility for saving for retirement squarely on the individual. A Roth IRA gives your child a jump-start.

Tax advantagesWith a Roth IRA, taxes are paid

now. All qualified withdrawals including earnings are tax free, making the Roth IRA a particularly attractive savings option for young people who can count on years of tax-free earnings.

Reap the benefits of WEAC IRA program

Start small: Open an IRA with us for as little as $200 a year.

Low fees: Fees can take a big bite out of account earnings. Keep fees low. We charge just one low annual administrative fee of 0.45%.

Easy enrollment: Enroll online in as little as five minutes or call one of our helpful enrollment consultants.

The rulesYour child must have income from a

job—gifts of money, interest on a savings account, and allowances do not count. However, the IRS doesn’t care if parents or grandparents actually make (or help with) the contribution as long as it’s not more than the child earned in any given tax year, up to $5,000.

Here are a few reasons why a Roth IRA can be a savvy money move for your teen.

Benefit from decades of compounding

Time is on your teen’s side. The longer the time line before retirement, the greater the impact compounding will have. Compounding is when earnings on your investments are reinvested in your account. The reinvested earnings may also have earnings, and then those earnings are reinvested and on it goes. It’s said that

Super

The Trustee for the WEAC IRA program is First Business Trust & Investments.

This article is for informational purposes only and not intended to be legal or tax advice. Consult your tax advisor or attorney before taking any action.

weabenefits.com

WEA Trust Member Benefits has awarded scholarships to four attendees of the National Institute for Financial and Economic Literacy (NIFEL) program hosted by Edgewood College in Madison this summer. The program is open to educators throughout the country.

The NIFEL program provides educators with the tools and expertise they need to teach personal finance in the classroom, with seminars on basic to advanced financial topics. The goal is for future generations to become better prepared to make sound financial decisions.

Increasing financial literacy is a large part of our mission at Member Benefits, and we are pleased to be able to offer these scholarships to the following Wisconsin educators:

Linda Cirilli • RhinelanderFamily Consumer Science Teacher

Linda works with middle school students and has been in the Rhinelander district for 19 years. “Receiving the scholarship was a welcomed and unexpected surprise. I want to make financial literacy even more interesting and relevant to middle school students. It is great to know that

Receiving the scholarship from Member Benefits was a most welcome surprise. It is a significant contribution toward helping me provide the best education possible for my economics students.”

Russell Wurm • ChiltonSocial Studies Teacher

Russ has been teaching for the past 19 years in the Chilton school district. “I hope to gain a better understanding of economics so that I can incorporate economic history topics into my classes and improve my Contemporary Affairs and AP US History courses. Receiving the scholarship at this time is a big help and is greatly appreciated.”

Educators receive scholarships from Member Benefits

Nominate a financial mentor.In the Spring 2012 issue of your$ magazine, you met Tim McCarthy, a middle

school band teacher in Glendale, WI. Tim makes a point of helping new staffmemberswhoarejuststartingtheircareersgetoffontherightfinancialfoot.Heis just one of the many unsung heroes in our schools who take the time to givefinancialencouragement,advice,andguidancetohiscolleagues.

Chancesareyouknowsomeone inyourdistrictwhotakesthatextrasteptohelpothersbuildfinancialsecurity.Ormaybeit’syou!

Take a minute to submit your nomination(s) for the 2012 Financial MentorAward. They will be mentioned in the next your$ magazine and receive acertificateofrecognition.Go to weabenefits.com/mentor.

support offered to further financial literacy in schools

11

WANT MORE:For more information about NIFEL educational opportunities, visit wdfi.org.

{an organization values the education of today’s youth and realizes the importance of giving students the basic skills they need to successfully manage their finances.”

Chris Heller • AppletonMath Teacher

Chris is a high school math teacher and has been in the Appleton school district for 26 years. “I am excited to learn more about personal finance and investment. I appreciate being granted the Member Benefits scholarship. Not only is it a monetary blessing, but it gives me confidence that Member Benefits is willing to help me learn more about these topics. I look forward to sharing this information with other teachers.”

Bradford Ness • MarathonSocial Studies Teacher

Brad has spent the past 28 years in the Marathon district and teaches high school. “I hope to gain a more complete understanding of the role of entrepreneurship in our economic system, not just from a theoretical perspective, but from a more practical standpoint as well.

PRESORTED STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAID

MADISON WI PERMIT NO 2750

PO Box 7893, Madison, WI 53707-7893

TM

Property and casualty insurance programs are underwritten by WEA Property & Casualty Insurance Company. The terms and conditions of your coverage are exclusively controlled by your written policy. Please refer to your policy for details.

TM

NEW CAR GUARANTEE

GUARANTEED REPLACEMENT COST

IDENTITY THEFT COvERAGE (INCLUDED)

TREE REMOvAL DUE TO WINDSTORM

REPLACEMENT LOCKS

CLAIM SERvICE GUARANTEE(No wonder we have 98% customer satisfaction)

PLUS, WE HAvE 15 DISCOUNTS

Compare before you renewNOT ALL INSURANCE POLICIES ARE THE SAME.

Ours Theirs?

Call 1-800-279-4010 Our insurance consultants can help you evaluate your current policy.

Get a comparison quote for your auto, home/renters using our easy online application. Applications can be submitted with as little as your name and phone number at weabenefits.com/getaquote.

Register for a personal phone consultation at a time convenient for you. Look under the Seminars tab at weabenefits.com/seminars.

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