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A magazine from WEA Member Benefits

2014-15 WINTER

your insuranceFire at ten below zero

your resolutionOne resolution you should keep in 2015 and how to do it

your kioskIRS changes to IRA rollover, 403(b) limits, and savers creditLong-term care costs can break the bankMust-see on YouTube

Dream Snatchers

president’s letterDave Kijek, President/CEO, WEA Member Benefits™{

2 weabenefits.com

© 2015 WEA Member Benefit Trust.All rights reserved.

Follow us.

3 YOUR ACCOUNT- 2015 Prudential Guaranteed

Investment rate is...- Investment enhancements coming!- Lay-up program for summer

vehicles could save you money.

4 YOUR MONEY- Three things that can crush your

retirement dreams and how to avoid them.

6 YOUR INSURANCE- The Campbells share their winter

fire story.

8 YOUR RESOLUTION- Keeping resolutions in 2015 may be

the most important thing you do.

10 YOUR KIOSK- IRS changes for 2015: What you

need to know.- New convenient locations for

financial planning services.- How LTC costs can break the bank.- What’s new on YouTube.

™your$CONTENTS WINTER 2014-15

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New year, fresh startThere’s something

uplifting and hopeful about starting a new year. From an organizational standpoint, Member Benefits is looking forward to 2015 after a year filled with changes—we improved efficiency

by putting in two new data systems and moved our operations to a new building (which is more difficult than one may think). Thank you for bearing with us as we undertook these endeavors—all of which have the common goal of improving

the participant experience. We are very much looking forward to continuing to serve you, our members, in this new and exciting year.

The hope for a new and improved year is also why people make New Year’s resolutions. I was surprised and a little sad to learn how few people are able to keep their resolutions. It’s not for lack of desire, but often the lack of a plan or the right tools that prevent them from making positive change. (See page 8.)

If you made a resolution to improve your finances this year, take advantage of Member Benefits and the services we have to offer you. It may make all the difference in your outcome.

Behind our member-focused programs and services are people who can help you understand what you need to do to reach your goal. Whether you are just getting started, wondering where you’re at and what’s needed to build and protect your assets, or you’re putting the finishing touches on your retirement plan, we are here for you and your family.

Long-time members Mark and Katie Campbell understand the significance of having an organization be there when you need them. Read about their experience on page 6.

Here’s to health, happiness, and financial security in 2015.

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{ your account

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IRA and 403(b) news2015 Prudential Guaranteed Investment rate is 3.80%**WEA Member Benefits™ is pleased to announce that the 2015 Prudential Guaranteed Investment credited annual rate of return for both the WEA TSA Trust and WEAC IRA programs will be 3.80%. The Prudential fact sheet and a Q&A regarding the current Prudential Guaranteed Investment contract is available online at weabenefits.com/pru.

Many IRS changes in store for 2015The IRS has announced many changes for 2015 that impact IRA and 403(b) participants—everything from contribution limits to new rollover rules. See page 10 for details.

Exciting fund enhancements coming soonWe are pleased to announce that we’ll be making some exciting enhancements to our investments this year. In February, we will be adding a bond fund that will complement the Prudential Guaranteed Investment for those looking for an additional fixed income option. For those interested in fully indexed investments, we will be adding a Vanguard Total Index portfolio that includes international funds. Watch for the second quarter rollout of model portfolios that allow you to build portfolios based on the type of investor you are. These portfolios also automatically rebalance, so they are low maintenance. Stay tuned for more details.

Watch for your 1099RIf you took a reportable distribution from your WEA TSA Trust 403(b) and/or WEAC IRA account(s) during 2014, we will send you a 1099R to the address on file on or before January 31, 2015. Separate 1099Rs will be sent for distributions taken from January 1, 2014 through April 25, 2014 and April 28, 2014 through December 31, 2014 due to the system changes that took place in April.

Content in this magazine is for informational puposes only and not intended to be legal or tax advice. Consult your tax advisor or attorney before taking any action. The Trustee Custodian for the WEAC IRA accounts is Verisight Trust Company. The 403(b) retirement program is offered by the WEA TSA Trust. TSA program registered representatives are licensed through WEA Investment Services, Inc., member FINRA. **Interest is compounded daily to produce the current annual yield prior to the deduction of program administrative fees. Contributions and earnings are held in the general account of Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (PRIAC). Principal and net credited interest are fully guaranteed by PRIAC. Such guarantees are based solely upon the financial strength and claims-paying ability of PRIAC. For more information go to weabenefits.com/pru.

Save money with our winter lay-up program for your summer toys

Do you have a boat, motorcycle and/or an RV insured by Progressive through WEA Member Benefits? If so, you could save money on your off-season premiums by participating in the winter lay-up program. The lay-up program reduces premiums temporarily by reducing selected coverages—such as bodily injury and collision—while your summer toys are stored away for the season

No need to remember Your coverage will be scheduled to

automatically increase to the original amounts on March 1, 2015, or April 1, 2015, based on your preference. A new declarations page will be sent for your records once we have returned all coverages to their original levels.

Enrolling is easyIf you have questions about insuring a

boat, RV, or motorcycle, call us at 1-800-4010. If you have coverage for your summer toys with Progressive and would like to enroll in the winter lay-up program, call Progressive at 800-888-7764. Press 0 to talk with a representative.

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. Certain policy exclusions and limitations may apply.

2015 Prudential

Guaranteed

Investment

IRA403(b)

3.80%*

*AnnualCredited Rate

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{ your money

Procrastination. Fees. Emotion. Let them rule your decision-making process and you may find them to be your most destructive

retirement planning mistakes. Each one has the capacity to steal your retirement dreams.

The good news is that you actually have control over these dream demons. Here are some ways to stop them in their tracks.

ProcrastinationIf you’ve been putting off saving, you’re

unfortunately not alone. According to the 2014 Retirement Confidence Survey, about a third of workers have not saved anything for retirement, while 54% aren’t currently contributing to a retirement account. The median balance among savers is just $20,000, down from $25,000 last year.

Whether you delay starting a retirement savings plan or delay increasing your savings contributions when the opportunities present themselves, procrastination is one savings sin that is very difficult and costly to make up for.

You may lose out on thousands of future dollars for every year you delay because you are not only losing a year’s worth

Assistant Financial Planner at Member Benefits. “You have the young people who don’t believe they need to be thinking about retirement, and you have those that have gotten sidetracked in life and are hoping to catch up later.”

“I’m young. Retirement isn’t even on my radar.” True, those just getting into the job market have a lot of living to do before

of contributions, but also the potential earnings on those contributions. A dollar lost to procrastination is a dollar that’s not working toward your future financial security.Dream killing mantras

“Generally, there are two lines of reasoning when it comes to procrastination,” says Eric Schwartz,

{ your money

PROCRASTINATI

ON

These three things can prevent you from securing your financial future. Here’s what you need to know and do now to keep your dreams alive.

PROCRASTINATIONLook at the difference 10 years can make. Assumes $120 monthly contributions and 7% rate of return.

I can make you miss

out on $209,061!

f STARTING AGE: 22 f ENDING BALANCE AT AGE 65

$395,429

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DREAM SNATCHERS

This is a hypothetical example for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the return of any specific product. Results are based on monthly savings, interest rate, and starting age. No guarantees are expressed or implied. Results will vary based upon the actual return realized.

$333.509interest earned

$61,920 contributions

138,848interest earned

$47,520 contributions

f STARTING AGE: 32 f ENDING BALANCE AT AGE 65

$186,368}

}

}}

weabenefits.com 5

continued on page 9

you where you are at, identifies where you need to go, and helps you make changes to get there. See page 11 about our YouTube video that shows you how it works.

FeesThe fees you pay in your retirement

savings accounts matter! The number one factor in determining your rate of return—after asset allocation—is cost. Fees eat into your bottom line, significantly reducing your retirement nest egg, so to make the most of your invested dollar, minimize the fees you pay.

This has been a constant and powerful message we at Member Benefits have delivered to members for over four decades. Every percentage point you pay out in fees needs to be made up in earnings just to break even. “The more you pay out, the less you have for you. People generally get the math. The problem is that people often do not know what they are paying

retirement. “I get this,” says Schwartz who is in his 20s, “but the long-time horizon is their strongest tool. However, it’s a tool that continues to lose it’s impact the longer one waits to use it.”

Schwartz is talking about the power of compounding. The sooner you start saving, the more time your investments have to grow, making it less costly and less painful to achieve financial security.

“I’ll make up for it later.” Among older workers who lack a retirement income strategy, by far the most common reason cited was simple procrastination: 42% say they simply haven’t gotten around to it. “It’s like kicking an empty can down the road,” says Schwartz. “It only delays the hard work of saving to another day. In this case, it makes the work harder.” Catching up will take longer and cost you more. It may result in the need to delay when you retire and cause you to rethink what your retirement will look like.You’ve got a lot to lose

To illustrate the significance of “the sooner the better” adage when it comes to savings, we’ve used a compound interest calculator to tell us what procrastination

can do to your account balance and your retirement dreams. (See graph on page 4.)

The results are startling. A 10-year delay would cost you $209,061. (Insert gasp here.) Contributing $120 a month starting at age 22 would yield $395,429 at age 65 assuming an average return of 7%, compared to $186,368 when the 10-year delay is factored in. The compound interest calculator can be found at weabenefits.com. Try it. It’s very cool.

Lay the foundation then build on it It’s important to get started even if it is

a small amount, but it’s equally important to increase your contributions as the opportunities present themselves. “It’s not uncommon for people who started saving early with a small amount like $25 or $50 a month finding themselves twenty years later still contributing the same amount. The fact that they started something is great, but it’s equally important to increase your contributions,” says Schwartz.

Long-term investing doesn’t mean you don’t need to pay attention. You need to check in to make sure you are still on track. IRA and 403(b) participants can use the goal planner tool at yourMONEY. It shows

FEESInvesting is expensive—sometimes more expensive than necessary. You can’t control what the markets will do in the future, but you do have a reasonable amount of control over how much you pay to invest. Paying too much can add up to a lot of money over time.

Illustration assumes an annual contribution of $5,000 and an annual rate of return of 7% over a period of 30 years. This is for illustrative purposes only and not in-dicative of any investment. The assumed fees are:• Annuity: 1% annual insurance charge (mortality and expense plus administrative charges).• Loaded Mutual Fund Company: Commission-based mutual fund purchases reflected above start at 5.75%, reduced over time based on total account value, and an annual 12b-1 fee of 0.25%.

These costs are assessed at the time of purchase when investing in a commission-based mutual fund company.• WEAC IRA: Annual administrative fee of 0.45% with an annual maximum of $600 for WEAC members and $750 for nonmembers. This illustration assumes fees for a WEAC member.• WEA TSA Trust: Annual administrative fee of 0.35% (with an annual maximum of $300).

Disclaimer: The information provided is referencing investments in 403(b), Traditional IRA, or Roth IRA accounts and is for informational purposes only. It does not take into account your risk toler-ance, time horizon, or investment objectives. Please note that annuities and mutual funds may assess contingent deferred charges on withdrawals that have not been on deposit for a set period of time described in its contract or prospectus. Your account will also be taxed and penalized on withdrawals prior to reaching age 59½. The taxation on the various listed accounts will vary and should be taken into consideration carefully when deciding on an account. Please consult your professional tax advisor prior to taking any withdrawal. The WEA TSA Trust, WEAC IRA, mutual funds, and annuities have varying degrees of risk and should be considered carefully prior to investing. This example assumes a 7% rate of return net of any other applicable fees such as mutual fund operating expenses. Invest-ments in mutual funds and variable annuities are subject to investment risk and its principle is not guaranteed. Please review the prospectus carefully prior to investing.

weabenefits.com 5

$90,000

$80,000

$70,000

$60,000

$50,000

$40,000

$30,000

$20,000

$10,000

$0

VALUE OF FEES PAID

InsuranceCompany Annuity

$500,000

$480,000

$460,000

$440,000

$420,000

$400,000

ENDING ACCOUNT BALANCE

InsuranceCompany Annuity

LoadedMutual Fund

Company

WEACIRA

WEA TSATrust

WEA TSATrust

WEACIRA

LoadedMutual Fund

Company

The lower the fees...

the bigger your ending account balance.

I’m happy to munch your money away.

continued on page 9

had a bucket brigade going on. They filled a large square container with water and connected hoses to it to get the water onto the roof. They did a great job.”

Katie and Mark finally talked to their kids. “They were a little bit in shock. Neighbors and friends were there for them and made sure they had someplace to stay.”

Just in case“Whenever I go on a trip, I always leave

a note for my kids: ‘If anything should happen, this is what you need to do and where you need to go for information.’ Ironically, the one thing that wasn’t included was homeowners insurance information. But Ben knew to go to the file cabinet where we keep a lot of our important documents and found our homeowners insurance file. He gave it to my close friend and she called Bob Manor (Member Benefits Claims Manager) on Sunday. My friend said, ‘I’ve already talked to your insurance company and they’re on it.’ We didn’t actually talk to Bob until the next day.”

Coming back to...Mark and Katie returned to New

Franken on Monday with no home to go to. “Bob told us to go to a hotel until we could find a more permanent place to live during the rebuild. Member Benefits was great. Bob said, ‘You’re going to need to eat out, you’ll need clothes, whatever you need to live. Just don’t worry about it.” Because there was extensive smoke damage throughout the house, everything was packed up and removed for special cleaning. It’s called a packout.

“Seeing the damage for the first time was tough. But, it could’ve been so much worse. We had been using our fireplace all winter, so it could’ve happened any time really. If the fire had started while we were sleeping, I don’t know that we would be here right now. We’re fortunate that no one got hurt, and we didn’t lose anything that couldn’t be replaced.”

Rebuilding and reflectingThe Campbells stayed in a hotel

for nine days before they found a two bedroom apartment where they lived for about nine weeks while their home was being cleaned and repaired. “We were so very happy when we moved back. It’s all

earlier but there were only embers in the fire box. She went outside to look at the house and saw smoke coming from the roof and flames surrounding the chimney.

Community heroesEva waved down neighbors who were on

their way to the store and asked for help. They immediately took action, calling 911 and shoveling snow onto the roof to try to contain it.

“We live in a great community,” Katie said. “One of our neighbors works in disaster relief for the Red Cross. He got on the phone and started calling everyone he could think of, telling them, ‘Come to the Campbell’s house, we need help.’” Timeliness and everyone’s fast action saved the house and much of the Campbell’s personal property. Neighbors went into the house and retrieved personal items, such as family photos.

The family room was destroyed before the fire was contained. “I’m amazed that the fire department was able to stop it. It was so cold, and because we are out in the country, there are no hydrants. I guess they

It was a Sunday morning. Katie and Mark Campbell had escaped the deep-freeze conditions of the 2014 Wisconsin winter and were enjoying

warmer temps while visiting Mark’s parents in Austin, Texas.

After church, they stopped for brunch before heading back to the apartment. It was the last full day of their visit. “I had silenced my cell phone while we were out, but when we arrived back at the apartment, we found that we had missed multiple calls and the answering machine was blinking with messages.” Katie’s first contact was with a close friend. “She said, ‘Don’t talk. Just listen. You had a house fire but everything is under control. Your kids are fine. Your house is not fine, but it will be,’” Katie recalls.

The Campbell’s two adult children (ages 22 and 25) were at the home. They had been painting a room for them as a surprise.

Loud crackling and popping sounds coming from the family room fireplace caused their daughter Eva to investigate. Her brother Ben had used the fireplace

weabenefits.com6

Although it was ten below zero in New Franken on February 9, 2014, it was pretty hot at the Campbell home.

{ your insurance

A BAD THING GONE GOOD

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. Certain policy exclusions and limitations may apply.

{MEMBER PROFILEMark and Katie Campbell

have lived in their New Franken home for 23 years. New Franken is an unincorporated community northeast of Green Bay. They have three adult children. Mark retired last year after teaching eighth-grade science and language for 23 years in the Howard-Suamico school district, and he continues to substitute teach in the district. Katie works for Schreiber Foods in Human Resources. They learned first-hand the value of their homeowners insurance when their home caught fire and suffered significant damage. “We couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. It was a bad thing gone good.” The Campbell’s have been insured with WEA Member Benefits for about 24 years.

weabenefits.com 7

good now. I don’t think it could’ve gone any better. Responsiveness, fairness, and mutual respect is what we want from our insurance company and it’s what we got from Member Benefits. The relationship between Member Benefits, the claims adjuster, and us was really great and it made the whole process go smoothly.”

The Campbells said the best thing was that they could choose the contractor. “We had someone we wanted to hire for the rebuild. Bob just said yes. There was no debate. To me that was the most important thing.”

The causeThe fire inspection indicated that the fire

was caused from creosote in the chimney that was probably ignited from a bird nest lodged between the chimney liner and the flue.

“If you are going to have a wood fireplace, clean it every year,” encourages Katie. “We had been doing it ourselves, but I would hire it out to a professional now.”

Fireplaces and Woodstoves

There’s nothing like snuggling up next to a warm and cozy fireplace when it’s cold outside. Don’t let this popular winter pastime lose its charm by becoming a safety risk. The threat of winter fires is real. Following these measures will help to ensure the time around the hearth is enjoyable and safe.

• Inspect and clean woodstove pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions.

• Never burn trash, paper, or green wood.

• Use a fireplace screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks.

• Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.

• Don’t overload the firebox. Generally, burning no more than three logs at a time is recommended.

• Store cooled ashes in a tightly sealed metal container outside the home.

• About 25,000 fires start in the fireplace each year.

• More than 900 people die in winter home fires each year.

• Approximately $2 billion in property loss occurs from winter home fires.

Source: National Fire Incident Reporting System

weabenefits.comweabenefits.com

{ your resolution

Are you among the more than 40% of Americans who made New Year’s resolutions for 2015? Good for you. People who make a resolution are 10 times more likely to change their lives than those who don’t. That’s the good news. The bad news is that only about 8% of those who make resolutions keep them.

But don’t lose hope. Success can be yours if you follow a few basic rules when approaching resolutions:• Keep it simple.• Be specific and realistic.• Create a plan that breaks it down

into manageable bite-size goals.• Share your goals with someone

who can offer support.• Find and use the right tools and

resources.

$ I resolve to start saving.Even if you start with a small amount, it’s better than not starting at all. You can open a 403(b) or Roth IRA with as little as $20.

$ I resolve to save more.If you’re already saving, great! Now, look for opportunities to save more. Redirecting money from an expense that you no longer have (i.e., diapers, a loan that’s paid off) is an excellent strategy.

Let us help you make and keep your financial resolution. It may be the most important thing you do for you this year.

The financial resolutionIf one of your resolutions was financial—to spend less, save more (traditionally in the top three), do some financial planning, find out if you are on track to retire, or simply discover what you should be doing now—let us help.

We have the resources, expertise, and tools to help you keep your resolution and secure your financial future. Just give us a call at 1-800-279-4030.

ONE RESOLUTION TO KEEP IN 2015

THIS YEAR, RESOLVE TO IMPROVE YOUR FINANCIAL WELLNESS.

8 The 403(b) retirement program is offered by the WEA TSA Trust. TSA program registered representatives are licensed through WEA Investment Services, Inc., member FINRA. The Trustee Custodian for the WEAC IRA accounts is Verisight Trust Company.

9

because the fees charged by some providers are hidden,” says Schwartz. (See graph on page 5.)• Fees increase the amount you will

need to save over your career to meet your goals.

• Fees decrease the amount you can “safely” withdraw from your accounts during retirement.

• Fees increase the likelihood that you will deplete your accounts.

What are you paying for? All services have a cost. It is up to you

to figure out if the value of the service provided is worth the price you’re paying.

Our fees are simpleThe WEA TSA Trust has received

national recognition for being a low-cost, high-quality 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity provider. We charge one low annual administrative fee (0.35%) with an annual cap ($300). Likewise, our IRA program charges one low annual administrative fee of 0.45% with a fee cap of $600 for WEAC members and $750 for nonmembers. (Prudential Guaranteed Investment and mutual fund management fees apply.)

“It is also worth noting that your family members, including your spouse, children and their spouses, parents, and parents-in-law may also be able to reduce costs associated with various retirement accounts by opening or rolling over into our IRA program. Give us a call for more information,” suggests Schwartz.

EmotionsDespite our best intentions to act

rationally, basic impulses and emotional responses can influence our decisions, often against our better judgment. There is an old saying on Wall Street that the market is driven by just two emotions: fear and greed. Succumbing to these emotions can have a profound and detrimental effect on your portfolio.

Investors who chase the market typically make investment choices based on emotion rather than careful consideration of their long-term plan. “It’s tempting to sell stocks when things look shaky and buy again when the outlook is bright. Such market timing almost never pays off because no one really knows what will

happen next,” Schwartz advises.Getting in too late on any “hot”

investment means you’ve missed the opportunity to buy low and sell high.

Just as greed dominated the market during the dotcom boom, the same can be said of the prevalence of fear following its bust. In a bid to stem their losses, many investors dumped their stocks, but in doing so they lost any opportunity to recover their losses when the stock market rebounded.

For young investors, fear may be contributing to their hesitancy to start investing at all. After all, many have witnessed the devestating effect of market failures on their parent’s financial security twice—2001 and 2008. “This fear may also steer them to ultra-safe investments which may not have the earning potential needed to achieve their goals,” adds Schwartz.

One thing is certain though. The stock market historically has made much of its long-term gains in spurts. So being out of the market even briefly could cost you dearly. A University of Michigan study indicates that being out of the market for as few as one or two days over several decades can significantly diminish portfolio returns. The chart above illustrates this finding.

Nurture your dreams with a long, steady view

Retirement savings accounts are investments for the long term, and that means riding out the market slumps. Also, keep in mind that in a down market you have more buying power. You can purchase more shares with your investment dollars because the price is low. “When the share price goes up, your earnings will go up exponentially due to the additional shares you have accumulated. If you stop contributing or pull out during the down cycle, you will miss out on buying when stock shares are on sale.”

Keys to successful investing• Know your risk tolerance and invest

accordingly. • Diversify your investments.• Review your portfolio and risk tolerance

periodically.• Rebalance your portfolio as needed.• Stay on course.• Take advantage of Member Benefits’

expertise.Help others keep the dream snatchers at

bay by sharing this article. We don’t have control over what the markets do, but we can take control over when we invest, how much we pay in fees, and what we will allow to influence our investment strategy.

The 403(b) retirement program is offered by the WEA TSA Trust. TSA program registered representatives are licensed through WEA Investment Services, Inc., member FINRA. The Trustee Custodian for the WEAC IRA accounts is Verisight Trust Company.

THE COST OF MARKET TIMINGRisk of missing the best days in the market 1994-2013

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10%return

9.2%

5.5%

3.0%

0.9%-1.0%

-2.8%

Invested for all 5,040

trading days

10 best days

missed

20 best days

missed

30 best days

missed

40 best days

missed

50 best days

missed

Source: Morningstar. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This graph is for informational purposes only and not intended to be legal or tax advice. Consult your tax advisor or attorney before taking any action. Any investment cannot be made directly in an index.

When your emotions rule, you lose out!

continued from page 5

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{ your kiosk

Savings opportunities and IRS changesWatch out for the new IRA “one rollover” rule

Beginning January 1, 2015, investors can make only one rollover from one IRA to another in any 12-month period. If you take a second IRA-to-IRA rollover in a single year, you’ll likely pay income taxes, a 10% early withdrawal penalty, and a 6% per year excess contribution tax as long as that rollover remains in the IRA.

Do you qualify for the Saver’s Tax Credit?

You may be eligible for a tax credit (up to $2,000) for making contributions to an IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan. To qualify for the credit, you must be age 18 or older, not a full-time student, not claimed as a dependent on another person’s return, and have a 2014 adjusted gross income no greater than $30,500 (filing individually) or $45,750 (head of household) or $61,000 (filing jointly).

403(b) contribution limits increase for 2015

Contribution limits for 403(b) accounts will increase to $18,000 for 2015. Employees age 50 and older can contribute an additional $6,000 for a total of $24,000. If you have 15 years or more of service with your employer, you may have an additional “catch-up” opportunity. To increase your 403(b) contribution, you must fill out a new Salary Reduction Agreement with your district business office.

IRA limits unchangedIRA contribution limits for 2015 remain

at $5,500. If you are age 50 or older, you may contribute an additional $1,000 to your IRA. If you are not maxing out your contribution and want to increase what you are saving, go to weabenefits.com and

search on “IRA contribution form.” If your contribution is payroll deducted (Trust Advantage™) or automatically deducted from your bank account (SmartPlan), please fill out the appropriate modification form also found at weabenefits.com. Call us at 1-800-279-4030 if you have any questions.

SEP IRA saving option for self-employed family members

Your self-employed spouse—or other family member—may be eligible to save for retirement with us by opening a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA. It’s easy to get started. Just call us at 1-800-279-4030 for assistance. Wisconsin residency required.

weabenefits.com10

Do i qualify for a Savers Tax Credit?

Check into SEP IRA for my husband.

Don’t break the rollover rule!

REMINDER: You have until April 15, 2015, to make IRA contributions for the 2014 tax year.

Savers Tax Credit

Increase 403b contributionCheck SEP IRA for my husband

Rollover rules

IRA limits

Financial planning services: New convenient locationsOur popular financial planning services are now available at four new locations throughout the state.

Appointments are always available at our home office in Madison, but as a convenience, appointments will be offered at these locations on a monthly basis for the 2014–2015 school year:

J Brookfield (13805 W. Burleigh Road)

J Eau Claire (2004 Highland Avenue)

Whether you are just starting out, wondering if you are on track to meet your financial goals, or planning for retirement, look to us for help.

Appointments fill up fast. Give us a call to set up your appointment today. For more information and specific dates and times, visit weabenefits.com/financialplanning.aspx.Must be a WEAC member or a Wisconsin public school employee to participate in our financial planning services. Family members may also be eligible. Call for details. Wisconsin residency required. All investment advisory services are offered through WEA Financial Advisors, Inc.

J Green Bay (1136 N. Military Avenue)

J Clark/Wood/Marathon County area (370 Orbiting Drive, Mosinee)

J

J

JJ

J

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.

Long-term care (LTC) insurance products are underwritten by multiple LTC insurers. Program administered by LTCi Marketing Administrators Inc. (LiMA).

Sources: PBS News Hour, AP/NORC Survey, longtermcare.gov, costofcare.m.genworth.com

weabenefits.com 11

• 72% OF AMERICANS become IMPOVERISHED after

ONE year of nursing home care.

• 37% of those in need of LTC are age

64 or younger.

• 1 OUT OF 4 PEOPLE age 45+ are not at all prepared

financially to pay for LTC.

• 1 in 4 workers suffer a disabling injury

before retirement.

Don’t let long-term care costs break the bank

Most people are not prepared financially to pay for long-term care (LTC)

Check into SEP IRA for my husband.

>> youtube.com/weabenefits

NEW! Introducing: Goal PlannerIt’s easy to set goals, identify savings gaps, and learn what it will take to fill the gaps with our Retirement Goal Planner inside yourMONEY.

This new video illustrates how to work toward your goals by walking you through how to use the tool (5 min.).

Try it on your own by logging into yourMONEY to access your account. Then click on the "Update My Goals" link to add your information.

Financial planning services for every stage of lifeWhether you’re just starting out, building your assets, wondering if you’re on the right track for retirement, or are actively planning your retirement, WEA Member Benefits has a wide array of financial planning services for every stage of life. Learn what services are available and how to access them by watching this video (5 min.).

$267 average cost

of care

PER DAY at a

nursing home

in WI today

$176,015 projected ANNUAL cost of private room in nursing home in WI in 2034

FACT

Medicare DOES NOT PAY for LTC services

x$14,667 projected

MONTHLY cost of

private room in

nursing home

in WI in 2034 58%

of Americans

UNDERestimate

nursing home costs

What ’s new on

• WOMEN are two times more likely to file an LTC claim.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR LTC INSURANCE PROGRAMOn-site and online seminars

888-247-5905 or www.weabenefits.com

Personal phone and online appointments888-247-5905

wealtc.membersplan.org

All investment advisory services are offered through WEA Financial Advisors, Inc.

PO Box 7893, Madison, WI 53707-7893

PREPARE FOR

snow brush and ice scraper

Get a quote today!Call 1-800-279-4010Visit weabenefits.com/getaquoteAuto • Homeowners • Renters • Condo • Umbrella 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. Certain policy exclusions and limitations may apply.

And be prepared with

from WEA Member Benefits

road flares, whistle

jumper cablesfull tank of gas

sand/cat litter and shovel

flashlight

first aid kit

cell phone charger

water and snacks

warm clothes, mittens, boots, blanket

WINTER DRIVING

INSURANCE