Unsung Heroes

SPRING 2012 ™

A magazine from WEA Trust Member Benefits

your accountOur expert addresses out-of-state coverage.

your decisionChoosing your beneficiaries.

your kioskKeep summer bright. Watch the weather.

}Members Helping Members.

TMweabenefits.com

Finally, I am thrilled that our Don’t Be Jack™ financial learning game has been nominated for an award from the Institute for Financial Literacy. We’ll have to wait until later this month to learn the results, but just being nominated is quite an honor.

Thank you for continuing to support these financial programs created specifically for you. We are always looking for ways to improve your experience and enhance our offerings. Let us know what we can do for you.

Have a fantastic spring.

3 YOUR ACCOUNT- Avoidinactiveaccountfees.- Movingtocellphoneonly?- Learnaboutcoveragefor

out-of-statesituations.

4 YOUR RESOURCE- Financialmentorshelpcolleagues

getontheroadtofinancialsecurity.

6 YOUR DECISION- Whowillinherityourretirement

accounts?Aguidetochoosingbeneficiaries.

46

April was officially designated National Financial Literacy Month in 2004 in an effort to highlight the importance of financial literacy and teach Americans how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits.

At Member Benefits, financial literacy is something we focus on all year round. Helping Wisconsin public school employees learn and implement ways to build their financial security is fundamental to the mission of our

organization and our staff is passionate about it.

Our passion is shared by the six financial mentors highlighted in this issue. They represent a contingent of education professionals who have made it their personal mission to help their colleagues succeed in the classroom and financially. Chances are there’s a financial mentor down the hall from you.

Speaking of missions—check out the “Mission Possible” summer seminar promotion on page eight. These seminars are a great way to increase your knowledge about important financial issues. Or, pass the invitation along to a colleague who might benefit.

your$CONTENTS SPRING2012

{

8 YOUR MISSION- MissionPossible:Summer

seminarscomingyourway.

10 YOUR KIOSK- Reduceloss:Watchtheweather- Givesavingsaboostwiththe

payrolltaxcut.- We’vebeennominated!

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

2 weabenefits.com

© 2011 WEA Member Benefit Trust.All Rights Reserved.

™

How will you celebrate National Financial Literacy Month?

10

3weabenefits.com

{ your account

IRA and 403(b) NewsAvoid inactive account minimum annual fee

There is a minimum annual fee of $25 for an inactive WEAC IRA and/or WEA TSA Trust 403(b) account with balances less than $5,556 (IRA) or $7,143 (TSA). Inactive accounts are accounts with no contributions or distributions within a calendar year. You can avoid the fee by making a single contribution or by taking a distribution (if eligible) at any time during the calendar year. Also consolidating other accounts into your WEAC IRA and/or WEA TSA Trust 403(b) account could help reduce the amount of fees you are paying. Give us a call at 1-800-279-4030 to review your account.

Did you change where you bank?Make sure your electronic contributions to your WEAC IRA and/or personal

insurance continue without interruption by notifying us if you have changed where you bank or if your account information has changed.

IRA 5498 forms on their wayForm 5498 is an informational tax form that IRA holders receive at the end of

May if a contribution was made for 2011 or if there was an account balance as of December 31, 2011. A contribution is defined as Traditional and/or Roth IRA contributions made between January 1, 2011, and April 17, 2012, for 2011 tax year and rollovers, conversions (Traditional to Roth), and recharacterizations.

Privacy notice enclosed with your statementProtection of your nonpublic personal financial information is very impor-

tant to us. Enclosed with your 403(b) or IRA statement this quarter is a copy of the WEA TSA Trust privacy policy. Please read it carefully.

Insurance News

Ask the Expert

Cutting off your landline? As cell phone usage increases, it’s more and more common for people to drop their

landline service. If you have decided to eliminate your “home phone” or if you are thinking about it, make sure to plan for the transition.

While you may rarely use your landline, you probably have your home phone number on record with financial institutions, your child’s school, health care providers, etc. Provide your new number to those who need it.

That includes us.

Auto, home, renters insurance• Call 1-800-279-4010• Use our easy online Update Your Policy application at weabenefits.com

403(b) or IRA account• Call us at 1-800-279-4030 • Log into your WEAccess account to make the change

You may also send an e-mail to memberbenefits@weabenefits.com. Please include the products you have with us so we can make all appropriate changes.

I’m considering retiring out of state. Can I keep my WEA P&C insurance?

Because WEA P&C is only licensed as an insurance carrier in the state of Wisconsin, we are not able to provide coverage for non-Wisconsin residents. So, if you decide to take up permanent residence outside of Wisconsin in retirement, you will have to find another insurance carrier.

Snowbirds who choose to go south or elsewhere for an extended period continue to be eligible as long as they maintain their primary residence in Wisconsin. However, vehicles licensed in another state for use during their stay cannot be included on their WEA P&C policy. Also, we are only able to provide home, condo, or renters insurance for property inside of Wisconsin.

Our daughter is going to college in Iowa and she will be taking one of our family vehicles with her. Can it still be covered on our WEA P&C auto policy?

Students attending college outside of Wisconsin who take a vehicle with them may continue to insure that vehicle under their parents’ auto policy with a special out-of-state rating for that vehicle. However, if the child resides in that state full-time due to a job, etc., that driver and vehicle will be removed from the parents’ policy at the renewal.

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.

Our expert this issue is Skip Miller, Underwriting Manager for Member Benefits.

weabenefits.com

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of their situation. “I want them to take control over their finances right out of the gate. With our buying power shrinking and the future of employee benefits in a state of uncertainty, members need to make informed financial decisions.”

Food, fun, finances“It’s a very casual night and it’s not

a lecture,” Michael emphasizes. “Tim shares advice and information in terms we understand, and he uses himself as an example. We get to learn from his mistakes and experiences.”

This year, Tim included the financial learning game Don’t Be Jack™ (offered by Member Benefits) to the evening. “The game was fun. Each team made financial decisions for different life scenarios. Then in the end, we got to see what those

Google “unsung hero” and you’ll get: a person who makes a substantive yet unrecognized contribution; a role model; someone who

helped or took action for the betterment of someone else; one who does things for the mere sake of doing something good.

Our unsung heroes reflect those characteristics and more as financial mentors. They’re also modest—they don’t like to toot their own horn. One thing they are not shy about, however, is their passion for helping their colleagues build financial security. Their common mission is to share knowledge and information about how one can do good as an education professional and do well financially.

Dinner with TimThree years ago, when Michael Theine

first started teaching second grade at Parkway Elementary in Glendale, he was invited to a dinner hosted by Tim McCarthy, the middle school band teacher. Tim is also the chief negotiator/handbook committee chair in his local. He has a tradition of inviting the non-tenured (new teachers) to his home at the beginning of each school year to learn about their contract/handbook and the financial aspects of their benefits.

“My goal is to help the best and the brightest grow their enthusiasm for teaching and stay in the profession,” Tim says.

To do that, he believes that new teachers must understand the economics

Educators across the state find financial encouragement, advice, and guidance for becoming financially secure in the profession they love from someone down the hall.

TimMcCarthy(right)takestimetoprovidefellow

colleagueslikeMichaelTheine(left)withtheinformationthey

needtomakegoodfinancialdecisionsearlyintheircareer.

TimisabandteacheratGlenHillsMiddleSchool

inGlendale.

UnsUng Heroes

{ your resource

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continued on page 9

April is national Financial Literacy Month: A perfect time to recognize financial mentors.

nominate a financial mentor.Wewouldliketorecognizeindividualswhohavegiventheirtimeandtalentsto

mentorothersonthebenefitsofgoodfinancialplanningandsavingforretirement.AnyonecanbenominatedforaFinancialMentorAward.Nominationsforthe2012awardswillbeacceptedbeginningJune1,2012,andtheywillbeannouncedonOctober15.Togetanominationform,gotoweabenefits.com/mentor.

Compounding is when your investment earns interest and then the interest earns interest and so on. “The longer your timeline the better the result, so start saving as soon as you can with a Roth IRA and 403(b).”

Ken has a great affection for his profession and his passion for helping his colleagues succeed financially has a paternal feel to it. “Dedicated educators have earned and deserve financial stability in their life, while working, and in retirement. However, it is incumbent upon each educator, especially in this environment, to plan for retirement and maximize every investment vehicle available to them.”

Almost 30 years ago, Ken opened a WEA TSA Trust 403(b) account and he’s never looked back. He continues encouraging and assisting others to take action. “I show them how to get started, how to fill out the forms, and guide them through the whole process. I’m happy to do it.”

Sandy NassAs the UniServ

Director for West Suburban Coun-cil in Brookfield, Sandy Nass ad-vocates for public school employ-ees, everything

from negotiating contracts to providing retirement and long-term financial plan-ning assistance. As a financial mentor, her message is: Start saving for retirement right away—before you get that first pay-check—with a 403(b) or an IRA.

have to be a math wiz to build financial security. Over the years, Ken has helped many people develop a plan. “I was the FEA treasurer and had the opportunity to address new educators each year. The message is simple: start early, pay yourself first, and use investments that utilize the mathematics of compounding.”

Sandy:You don’t have to start saving a huge amount. But, start you must.

decisions meant in terms of our financial security. Powerful stuff,” Michael said.

Paying it forwardWhile in graduate school years ago,

Tim met a gentleman from South Africa. “He introduced me to the beauty of dollar cost averaging and compounding.” Tim now shares these concepts with his new colleagues to illustrate the importance of saving early for retirement. “Then I started teaching and Ron Bruce, a PE teacher, was a great motivator for me to start saving. He is the one who told me about the WEA TSA Trust 403(b) program.”

Now, Tim is the motivator. “Having someone like Tim who will sit down and talk without judgement or pressure to buy something is important. It’s about knowing what you have, what you can do with it, and then making your own decisions,” says Michael.

Planning for the future is top of mind for Michael. He’s getting married this summer and thinking ahead to starting a family. “I’m thankful for Tim’s mentoring now, but I have a feeling I will be thanking him even more when it comes time to retire!”

Alleviate stress: Plan nowIn the current environment, Tim

emphasizes it’s more important than ever to start building up personal retirement savings.

“Planning for the future will alleviate some of the anxiety related to health in-surance changes, frozen/declining salaries, eroding retirement benefits, and changes to WRS. I tell them, ‘regardless of outside influences, your 403(b) money is yours alone. It’s the one constant you have.’”

Ken LoestKen Loest

retired after 28 years of teaching math in the Fond du Lac school district. Recently, he went back to teach Calculus and

Pre-Calculus part-time at Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah High School—a perfect gig for Ken.

As a math guy, Ken is a natural financial mentor, but he insists that you don’t

“When I meet with new hires, I ask ‘who knows how much their first paycheck will be?’ In 25 years, not a single hand has gone up. The point is that it’s easier to start saving right away before you get comfortable with your paycheck and find ways to spend it.”

At retirement, the difference between those who saved early and those who did not is significant. “I’ve never once met a member who was sorry they started a 403(b) or IRA early in their career. Too often I hear the regrets of those who wish they had started sooner.”

When Sandy started teaching in Orfordville years ago, she would listen to a group of math teachers who were always talking about investing and saving. “It

Six individuals are featured here, but there are many others in schoolsacrossthestatewhosharetheirknowledge,anencouragingword,storiesoftheirsuccesses,aswellasmistakesandregretswiththeircolleagues.Lookaround.Listen.Doyouknowafinancialmentor?Maybeit’syou.

Ken:It is incumbent upon educators to plan for retirement and maximize every opportunity. We need to take control of our future.

{ your decision

Naming beneficiaries for your 403(b) and IRA retirement accounts is an important first step in your estate planning,

but not all beneficiaries are treated alike. A beneficiary can be a person or persons, a trust, a charity, or your estate. Which is right for you? Without careful consideration, your decision may have unexpected tax and estate planning implications.

The estate option Generally, naming your estate as your

beneficiary by design or by default is bad estate planning. In general, it produces unfavorable distribution options and makes your retirement funds subject to probate, which can be an expensive and time-consuming process.

Because only a person can own a retirement account, your account(s) will need to be liquidated in order to pay your estate. Liquidating the account eliminates all flexibility for your heirs to take distributions from the account over their life expectancy, which means they will not

benefit from tax deferral features associated with the retirement accounts.

The trust optionThere may be circumstances when

you may want to name a trust as your retirement account beneficiary. Naming a trust as your beneficiary is a way to control post-death distributions and restrict access for beneficiaries who might need help

managing the money from large inherited accounts.

However, there are pitfalls to a trust. There are no tax benefits to naming a trust for the exclusive purpose of managing the distribution of your retirement savings accounts. Because a trust is not a person, as with the estate option, retirement accounts need to be liquidated. Additionally, trusts

are quirky. If not set up properly, it can go very badly for your beneficiaries. Make sure to work with someone who has expertise with setting up trusts to ensure your wishes are met.

Charity as beneficiary If you have already provided for your

heirs and you have charitable inclinations,

naming a charity is also an option. Generally, withdrawals from pre-tax retirement accounts are subject to tax. However, an exception may apply to direct distributions to qualified charities. If you decide to name a charity, contact the charity to get the proper name to avoid confusion or problems later on.

Choosing beneficiaries comes down to this: How do you want your assets distributed after you’re gone? Know your options so you can make the best choice for you.

Whowillinherityour403(b)orIRAaccount?

Don’t leave it to

CHANCE.

Generally, naming your estate as beneficiary—by design or default—is bad estate planning.

weabenefits.com6

403(b) or IRA, your account balance may become part of your estate and will need to go through probate, which as previously mentioned, can be a lengthy and costly process.

In Wisconsin, you are not required to name your spouse as a beneficiary of your 403(b) or IRA account. However, since Wisconsin is a marital property state, your spouse could claim their right to 50% of your account.

Primary vs. contingent beneficiaries

When designating beneficiaries for your account(s), you have the option to name primary and contingent beneficiaries.

Primary beneficiaries are entitled to receive any assets in your account following your death. They will share

equally in your account unless you specify different percentages. If a beneficiary

predeceases you, his or her share of your account will be divided proportionately among the surviving beneficiaries unless you have indicated you wish their share distributed per stirpes. Per stirpes allows any undistributed assets of your account to pass to the natural and legally adopted children of a designated beneficiary that predeceases you, rather than be divided among the living co-beneficiaries.

Your contingent beneficiaries will be entitled to receive any assets in your account only if you have no surviving primary beneficiaries (and per stirpes was not designated for your primary beneficiaries) at the time of your death. If there are no surviving primary beneficiaries, your contingent beneficiaries will share equally in your account unless you note otherwise.

Review your beneficiary designations

Life changes such as marriage, divorce, or death are indicators that you may need to review your beneficiary designations to make sure they are still appropriate and reflect your wishes. You may want to consult your attorney to ensure that you understand all aspects of your decision.

Your spouse as primary beneficiary

Spousal beneficiaries are most common and have the greatest flexibility regarding distribution options. Spouses can:

• Keep the 403(b) or IRA account with WEA Trust Member Benefits. Many benficiaries choose this option because it allows them to continue enjoying our low fees, the guaranteed investment, and great customer service. Spouses who choose this option have many withdrawal options.

• Liquidate all or part of the account. Cashing out an IRA or 403(b) in a lump sum lets your spouse get the money all at once, though they’ll have to pay taxes on the amount withdrawn if it’s a pre-tax account. Some financial advisors say

it’s wiser to spread out the tax burden by taking distributions over time.

• Roll the account over to their ownretirement plan or IRA account.

Rolling it over may be advantageous if your spouse is younger than you, as your spouse may defer receiving distributions until his or her own required distribution date.

Naming someone other than your spouse

Although spousal beneficiaries have the most flexibility with an inherited retirement account, you may name anyone as a beneficiary of your account. A person other than your spouse may take the entire distribution (liquidating the account) or “stretch” the distributions over his or her own life expectancy. Stretching the account allows the beneficiary to maintain the tax-deferred and/or tax-free status of the account throughout their lifetime.

What happens if I do not name a beneficiary?

If a beneficiary is not designated for your retirement account(s), such as your

Review your beneficiaries periodically to ensure they are still appropriate.

• Onlyaperson(age18+)—notanestateoratrust—canownaretirementaccount.

•Probatecanbealengthyandcostlyprocess.

Useful facts

weabenefits.com 7

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

•Beneficiariesnamedonyourretire-mentaccountsupercedeyourwill.

•Beneficiariesmaykeeptheaccountwithusand/ormayopenaWEACIRAandrollovertheinheritedaccount.Theycanalsonametheirownbeneficiariesfortheinheritedaccount.

Contingent beneficiary examplePrimaryBeneficiary(ies):• Spouse:100%ContingentBeneficiary:• Son:100%

In this case, if your spousepredeceases you, your sonwouldreceiveanyundistributedassetsintheaccount.

Per stirpes examplePrimaryBeneficiary(ies):• 50%John(brother);

perstirpes• 50%Sally(sister);

perstirpes

John dies a few days beforeyou.Fiftypercentofyour403(b)TSA balance will go to Sally asindicated. John’s three childrenwillshareintheremaining50%.(Withoutperstirpesdesignation,Sally would also receive John’sdesignatedshare.)

8 weabenefits.com

Dates, descriptions, and registration at

weabenefits.com/missionor 1-800-279-4030 Ext. 8563

Appleton Brookfield BurlingtonFond du Lac

Green BayJanesvilleLa CrosseMadison

MenomonieMilwaukeeMosinee Platteville

RacineRhinelanderRice LakeSheboygan

Intelligence gatherings: Choose one or all10:00 am • Retirement Savings 101: The Keys to Success*11:30 am • Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance (lunch included)1:00 pm • Retirement Planning 101* *Includes WRS info and pension study updates!

at 16 locations

Seminars are free to attend; however, if you choose to invest in the WEA Tax Sheltered Annuity Trust or WEAC IRA program, fees will apply. Consider all expenses prior to investing.

Free financial seminars July 10 thru Aug 14

Mission PossibleYour mission, should you choose to accept it…

SECURe your future

• gaThER InTELLIgEnCE: Attend a seminar to uncover secrets to successful retirement savings and plannning.

• MaRK YoUR TaRgET: Identify your timeline, your options, and desired outcome at retirement.

• IDEnTIFY a “FRIEnDLY”: Learn what questions to ask and how to ID a financial partner who is on your side.

weabenefits.com 9

Possible

Unsung Heroes —continued from page 5

Deb: While it’s never too late to start, the earlier the better.

John: Learn from my mistakes. Make sure you have accurate information.

made sense to me when they explained that a pre-tax 403(b) contribution of $10 per check was really only about $6 or $7 out of my take-home pay. Sounded like a deal to me, so I started.” When she left the teaching ranks, she left her money in the account. “It’s been growing for 25 years. I’m glad I did it.”

Sandy is very aware that your choice of products impacts your financial future. “I opened an IRA through a brokerage firm. I thought it was pretty good based on what the broker told me. After several years, I realized that the majority of my earnings were being eaten up by fees. Plus, there were redemption charges (surrender fees) to move the money out. I felt so taken advantage of. I finally bit the bullet and moved the account to a Member Benefits IRA account. The 403(b) and IRA programs offered by Member Benefits have always been at the very top—great service, low fees, and the guaranteed rate.”

Deb HuppertHave you heard

the story of the three-legged stool? It’s a story that Prescott Human Resources Coordi-nator, Deb Hup-pert, uses with staff

to illustrate the need to save for retirement.

“One leg is their retirement income from the Wisconsin Retirement System. The second leg is their Social Security Benefit. And, the third leg is personal savings. As the future of Social Security is somewhat uncertain for younger employees, I always emphasize the need to supplement personal savings to make up for that uncertainty. I highly recommend they consider participating in a Roth or Traditional 403(b) or IRA plan, and while it is never too late to start saving, the earlier the better.”

Deb Huppert loves talking benefits with staff and how they can be utilized to their financial advantage. “One of the most rewarding things I do is meet individually with new employees. I go over all benefit

and payroll information and retirement planning. I really like the Jack and Jill brochure that Member Benefits created. It clearly shows the advantages to saving early and it reinforces the advice I give to all staff: Pay yourself first.”

Mark Leschke “There was this

group of ten,” Mark remembers it like it was yesterday even though it was 22 years ago. “The first week of my first year of

teaching in Appleton they told me, ‘you’ve been surviving the last four years in college on microwave burritos and gas station hot dogs. The money you are now making is way more than you’ve survived on. Here are the forms. Start putting this much away via payroll. You’ll never miss it.’”

Mark followed the instruction of his seasoned colleagues and started contributing to a WEA TSA Trust 403(b). “They were right, I never missed the money because I never got to see it on my paycheck as something to spend. Each time I got a little bump in pay, I increased my contribution a little as well.”

Now, he is the one with the message for new staff. This year Mark’s job is split between New Teacher Induction Program Leader and teaching AP Psychology. “The district encourages staff mentors to promote financial literacy and allows me, in my new role, to help first-year hires learn more about saving for retirement.”

Mark also works through his local teacher’s association to bring financial education to all staff. “The district and the teacher’s association have an excellent relationship when it comes to financial literacy. In addition, the payroll specialists who help members with paperwork are phenomenal.” This makes it easy to get his message out.

Mark’s message is simple: Start saving via payroll deduction your first year. Save a percentage of your income, not a flat rate.

If you didn’t start your first year, it’s never too late to start.

Mark admits that he still eats microwave burritos and gas station hot dogs. “Now because I want to, not because I have to.”

John HansenJohn is in his fifth year of teaching high school science in the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District.

“When I first started investing, I

didn’t know a lot and I feel like I got taken advantage of by the investment agent. I don’t want others to get ‘ripped off’ by some of these aggressive representatives.”

To this end, John holds an open meeting each year to:• Inform new staff about retirement

investment opportunities.• Share the importance of investing early

in one’s career.• Compare other investment companies

to WEA Trust Member Benefits.• Point them in the right direction if they

have other financial questions.

During the meeting, John says, “I describe the different types of investments [Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, and the 403(b)]. I point out the advantages of opening an account with Member Benefits over other investment companies, such as the low fees with the annual fee cap and the Member Benefits representatives are noncommissioned. My goal is to help them feel comfortable about investing their money, even in the uncertain economic environment we face today.”

For details about fees associated with the IRA and 403(b) offered through Member Benefits, go to weabenefits.com. The 403(b) retirement program is offered by the WEA TSA Trust. TSA program securities offered through WEA Investment Services, Inc., member FINRA. The Trustee for the WEAC IRA program is First Business Trust & Investments. Principal and net credited interest are fully guaranteed by Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (PRIAC). Such guarantees are based upon the financial strength and claims-paying ability of PRIAC.

Mark: Start saving your first year by payroll duducting a percentage of your income (not a flat rate).

{

weabenefits.com

{ your kiosk

SEvERE WEAtHER: Thedarksideofsummer by Bob Manor

W hen I think of spring and summer, I think of sunshine, backyard barbeques, bike rides, and all the outdoor

activities I’ve been dreaming about all winter long. However, as the Claims Manager at WEA P&C, I am all too aware that warmer weather also means the potential for severe weather. Dangerous lightning, heavy rains, high winds, and hail can cause property damage.

Over the last couple of years, we’ve experienced some crazy weather in Wisconsin, and crazy weather can cost a pretty penny for you and your insurance company. Nationwide, the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry experienced record-setting losses due to weather-related claims in 2010 and 2011. WEA P&C was no exception. We have paid our member policyholders nearly $5 million dollars for storm-related claims during that same time period.

Such heavy losses have consequences for both insurers and their customers. Inevitably, it means homeowner rate increases for customers—a trend that experts predict will play out industry-wide as significant losses were already reported on March 1 when a system of tornadoes ravaged the Midwest from Nebraska to Kentucky.

Keeping claims down is good for everyone. And while we have no control over nature’s

10

the most frequently damaged items in summer storms.

• Unplug your computer and other electronics during lightning storms or if you are leaving for a vacation. A surge protector is no match for a lightning strike.

More tips for preventing loss due to severe weather can be found at weabenefits.com/stormyweather.

Weather-related events affect a lot of people

If you do suffer from a storm loss, we are here to help you. Keep in mind that damaging storms affect many people at one time. This means resources (people and materials) are stretched thin and can sometimes cause delays in service— whether it is the insurance adjuster, the tree removal company, the electric company who turns your power back on, or the contractor who repairs your house. It helps to be patient.

Likewise, if you call us with a weather-related claim, there are probably many members calling with a similar claim. Our claims department has a customer service satisfaction rate above 95%, and we will do everything we can maintain the high level of service you expect.

wrath, there are steps you can take to help reduce losses due to storm damage.

Be aware of the weather Keeping an eye on the sky (or the

Weather Channel) or an ear to your radio may give you enough warning to prevent loss. For example:• Park your car in the garage or under

a canopy of trees. Good parking practices can save you hundreds of deductible dollars. And remember, a deductible applies for each car.

• Store or secure patio furniture, grills, and anything that could become a flying missile in high winds. The cost of replacing patio furniture is seldom above the deductible, but it is one of

Tree removal. It’s covered. Downed trees during severe weather is common and removal can be expensive. WEA P&C homeowners insurance covers up to $1,500 for removal of downed trees even due to windstorm. Most insurers have more limited coverage for tree removal. If you’re with another company, compare your current coverage with us.

It’s simply better insurance. Call us for a quote 1-800-279-4010.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. Deductibles apply.

Hail storms last an average of six minutes; however, the cost to property adds up to over a billion dollars a year.

weabenefits.com 11

Payroll Tax Cut:Anopportunitytoboostretirementsavings

The payroll tax cut decreases your Social Security tax withholding rate from 6.2% to 4.2%—meaning an increase to your net pay. For a family earning $50,000 a year, the cut results in approximately $1,000 more in take-home pay in 2012.

Consider using this extra income to start a 403(b) or Roth IRA account or increase your contributions to an existing one. Contribute to a pre-tax 403(b) and you’ll actually be able to save even more without impacting your net pay. For instance, $1,000 applied to a pre-tax 403(b) could be bumped up to $1,333 assuming a 25% tax bracket. Because pre-tax contributions lower your taxable income, investing $1,333 only lowers your annual take-home pay by $1,000.

It’s a sweet way to boost your savings, but it’s temporary, so don’t delay.

Call us for assistance at

1-800-279-4030.

And the winner is...We are so excited! Our Don’t be Jack™ financial learning game has been

nominated to win an Excellence In Financial Literacy Education (EIFLE) Award in the category of instructional games. The EIFLE Awards were

created by the Institute for Financial Literacy to acknowledge innovation, dedication, and a strong commitment to financial literacy education.

Winners will be announced on April 18, 2012, during the Annual Conference on Financial Education in Orlando, Florida.

Watch for the results in our July your$ issue.

Want to learn more about Don’t Be Jack? Go to weabenefits.com/dontbejack

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Three easy ways to get a quote.1. Call 1-800-279-4010 to speak with one of our

insurance consultants.

2. Request a comparison quote for your auto or home using our easy online application. Applications can be submitted with as little as your name and phone number. Go to weabenefits.com/getaquote.

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

five5 reasons to check out your insurance program.