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A magazine from WEA Trust Member Benefits
SPRING 2012
Unsung
Heroes
Members Helping Members.
}
your account
Our expert addresses out-of-state coverage.
your decision
Choosing your beneficiaries.
your kiosk
Keep summer bright. Watch the weather.
TM
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{
your$
contents SPRING 2012
3 YOUR ACCOUNT
- Avoid inactive account fees.
- Moving to cell phone only?
- Learn about coverage for
out-of-state situations.
4 YOUR RESOURCE
- Financial mentors help colleagues
get on the road to financial
security.
6 YOUR DECISION
- Who will inherit your retirement
accounts? A guide to choosing
beneficiaries.
6
8 YOUR MISSION
- Mission Possible: Summer
seminars coming your way.
10 YOUR KIOSK
- Reduce loss: Watch the weather
- Give savings a boost with the
payroll tax cut.
- We’ve been nominated!
president’s letter
{Dave Kijek, President/CEO, WEA Trust Member Benefits
10
4
© 2011 WEA Member Benefit Trust.
All Rights Reserved.
How will you celebrate National Financial Literacy Month?
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.
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.
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{ your account
IRA and 403(b) News
Avoid 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 way
Form 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 statement
Protection of your nonpublic personal financial information is very important
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.
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.
weabenefits.com
Insurance News
Ask the Expert
Our expert this
issue is Skip Miller,
Underwriting Manager
for Member Benefits.
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.
3

{ your resource
Tim McCarthy (right) takes
time to provide fellow
colleagues like Michael Theine
(left) with the information they
need to make good financial
decisions early in their career.
Tim is a band teacher
at Glen Hills Middle School
in Glendale.
Unsung Heroes
Educators across the state find financial encouragement, advice, and guidance for becoming
financially secure in the profession they love from someone down the hall.
4
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 Tim
Three 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 nontenured
(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
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
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decisions meant in terms of our financial
security. Powerful stuff,” Michael said.
Paying it forward
While 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 now
In 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 insurance
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 Loest
Ken 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
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.”
Ken:
It is incumbent upon educators to
plan for retirement and maximize
every opportunity. We need to take
control of our future.
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 Nass
As the UniServ
Director for West
Suburban Council
in Brookfield,
Sandy Nass advocates
for public
school employees,
everything
from negotiating contracts to providing
retirement and long-term financial planning
assistance. As a financial mentor,
her message is: Start saving for retirement
right away—before you get that first paycheck—with
a 403(b) or an IRA.
Sandy:
You don’t have to start saving a
huge amount. But, start you must.
“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
continued on page 9
April is National
Financial Literacy Month:
A perfect time to recognize financial mentors.
Six individuals are featured here, but there are many others in schools
across the state who share their knowledge, an encouraging word, stories of
their successes, as well as mistakes and regrets with their colleagues. Look
around. Listen. Do you know a financial mentor? Maybe it’s you.
Nominate a financial mentor.
We would like to recognize individuals who have given their time and talents to
mentor others on the benefits of good financial planning and saving for retirement.
Anyone can be nominated for a Financial Mentor Award. Nominations for the 2012
awards will be accepted beginning June 1, 2012, and they will be announced on
October 15. To get a nomination form, go to weabenefits.com/mentor.
5
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{ your decision
Who will inherit your
403(b) or IRA account?
Don’t leave it to
CHANCE.
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.
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.
benefit from tax deferral features associated
with the retirement accounts.
The trust option
There 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
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,
6
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 timeconsuming
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
Generally, naming your estate as beneficiary—by
design or default—is bad estate planning.
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
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.
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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 pretax
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 own
retirement 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.
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
Review your beneficiaries periodically to ensure
they are still appropriate.
Per stirpes example
Primary Beneficiary(ies):
• 50% John (brother);
per stirpes
• 50% Sally (sister);
per stirpes
John dies a few days before
you. Fifty percent of your 403(b)
TSA balance will go to Sally as
indicated. John’s three children
will share in the remaining 50%.
(Without per stirpes designation,
Sally would also receive John’s
designated share.)
equally in your account unless you specify
different percentages. If a beneficiary
Useful facts
Contingent
beneficiary example
Primary Beneficiary(ies):
• Spouse: 100%
Contingent Beneficiary:
• Son: 100%
In this case, if your spouse
predeceases you, your son
would receive any undistributed
assets in the account.
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.
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.
• Beneficiaries named on your retirement
account supercede your will.
• Beneficiaries may keep the account
• Only a person (age 18+)—not
with us and/or may open a WEAC
What happens if I do not name an estate or a trust—can own
IRA and rollover the inherited
a beneficiary?
a retirement account.
account. They can also name their
If a beneficiary is not designated for
your retirement account(s), such as your
• Probate can be a lengthy and
costly process.
own beneficiaries for the inherited
account.
weabenefits.com 7

SECURe your future
Mission
Possible
Your mission, should you
choose to accept it…
• 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.
Intelligence gatherings: Choose one or all
10:00 am • Retirement Savings 101: The Keys to Success*
11:30 am • Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance (lunch included)
1:00 pm • Retirement Planning 101*
at 16 locations
Appleton
Brookfield
Burlington
Fond du Lac
Free financial seminars July 10 thru Aug 14
Green Bay
Janesville
La Crosse
Madison
Menomonie
Milwaukee
Mosinee
Platteville
Racine
Rhinelander
Rice Lake
Sheboygan
Dates, descriptions, and registration at
weabenefits.com/mission
or 1-800-279-4030 Ext. 8563
*Includes
WRS info
and pension
study
updates!
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.
8 weabenefits.com

Unsung Heroes —continued from page 5
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 Huppert
Have you heard
the story of the
three-legged stool?
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:
Start saving your first year by
payroll duducting 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 Hansen
John 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.
It’s a story that
Prescott Human Mark followed the instruction of
Resources Coordinator,
Deb Hup-
contributing to a WEA TSA Trust 403(b). Learn from my mistakes. Make sure
his seasoned colleagues and started John:
pert, uses with staff “They were right, I never missed the you have accurate information.
to illustrate the need to save for retirement. money because I never got to see it on
my paycheck as something to spend. Each During the meeting, John says, “I
Deb:
time I got a little bump in pay, I increased describe the different types of investments
While it’s never too late to start, my contribution a little as well.”
[Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, and the
the earlier the better.
Now, he is the one with the message 403(b)]. I point out the advantages of
for new staff. This year Mark’s job is split opening an account with Member Benefits
“One leg is their retirement income between New Teacher Induction Program over other investment companies, such as
from the Wisconsin Retirement System. Leader and teaching AP Psychology. the low fees with the annual fee cap and
The second leg is their Social Security “The district encourages staff mentors to the Member Benefits representatives are
Benefit. And, the third leg is personal promote financial literacy and allows me, noncommissioned. My goal is to help
savings. As the future of Social Security in my new role, to help first-year hires them feel comfortable about investing
is somewhat uncertain for younger learn more about saving for retirement.” their money, even in the uncertain
employees, I always emphasize the need to Mark also works through his local economic environment we face today.”
supplement personal savings to make up teacher’s association to bring financial
For details about fees associated with the IRA
for that uncertainty. I highly recommend education to all staff. “The district and
and 403(b) offered through Member Benefits,
they consider participating in a Roth or the teacher’s association have an excellent go to weabenefits.com. The 403(b) retirement
Traditional 403(b) or IRA plan, and while relationship when it comes to financial program is offered by the WEA TSA Trust.
it is never too late to start saving, the literacy. In addition, the payroll specialists TSA program securities offered through WEA
Investment Services, Inc., member FINRA.
earlier the better.”
who help members with paperwork are
The Trustee for the WEAC IRA program is First
Deb Huppert loves talking benefits with phenomenal.” This makes it easy to get his Business Trust & Investments. Principal and
staff and how they can be utilized to their message out.
net credited interest are fully guaranteed by
financial advantage. “One of the most Mark’s message is simple: Start saving Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity
Company (PRIAC). Such guarantees are based
rewarding things I do is meet individually via payroll deduction your first year. Save a
upon the financial strength and claims-paying
with new employees. I go over all benefit percentage of your income, not a flat rate. ability of PRIAC.
weabenefits.com 9

{ your kiosk
Severe Weather:
The dark side of summer
by Bob Manor
10
When 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
Hail storms last an average of
six minutes; however, the cost
to property adds up to over a
billion dollars a year.
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.
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 weatherrelated
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.
weabenefits.com

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
Payroll Tax Cut:
An opportunity to boost
retirement savings
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 pretax
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.
weabenefits.com 11

TM
PRESORTED
STANDARD
US POSTAGE
PAID
MADISON WI
PERMIT NO 2750
PO Box 7893, Madison, WI 53707-7893
5 ve
reasons
#1
Evaluate
my current
coverage.
Is it enough?
to check out your insurance program.
#2
Get a
comparison
quote.
Save money?
#3
It’s simply
better
insurance.
Great value!
#4
96%
satisfaction.
Great
service!
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.
#5
Created for
Wisconsin public
school employees.
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.