Keys to retirement SatisfactionPrep plus Positive Attitude

FALL 2012

your investmentsWill new funds fit your style?

your credit scoreLow credit score will cost you.

your kioskIs texting the new DUI?}

TM

weabenefits.com

your$™A magazine from WEA Trust Member Benefits

nominations. Is there a financial mentor in your school? Nominations for 2013 are now open.

Also, in this issue you’ll learn how your credit score affects your personal balance sheet, how your score is calculated, and ways to improve it.

Finally, for those wondering about the 2013 Prudential guaranteed rate, the wait is almost over. We’ll announce the rate on October 26 at weabenefits.com and also in our recorded message when you call 1-800-279-4030.

3 YOUR ACCOUNT- 2013PrudentialGuaranteed

Investmentcreditedratetobeannounced.

- Year-enddistributiondeadlines.- Fewerpaycheckswillimpactyour

retirementsavings.

4 YOUR STORY- MemberCarolGautschhasthe

recipeforretirementsatisfaction.

6 YOUR CREDIT SCORE- Yourcreditscorecouldbecosting

youmoney.Learnhowitimpactsyourpocketbookandkeystoahigherscore.

4

8

The decision to retire is a very personal one. Most people have a notion of retirement long before they get there. However, you never know where life will take you and what circumstances might cause a change in course.

Being prepared financially will make the transition into retirement easier regardless of how it happens. Evolving retirement benefits coupled with economic conditions make this preparation even more important.

In our feature story, member Carol Gautsch shares her personal account of an early retirement and tips for achieving retirement satisfaction. Our Sr. Financial Planner, Michelle Slawny, also points out often overlooked financial realities you need to consider when planning for retirement.

This month we’re giving kudos to our 2012 Financial Mentor Award winners. Twenty-one individuals were nominated and are being recognized for taking the time to mentor their colleagues on the benefits of good financial planning and saving for retirement. The important role these individuals play is apparent in the comments received with their

your$CONTENTS FALL2012

{

8 YOUR INVESTMENTS- Learnhownewmutualfundsfit

intoyourinvestmentstrategy.

10 YOUR KIOSK- Whydrivingandcellphonesdon’t

mix,andtipstostaysafe.

- Fourfinancialplanningservicescanhelpplanforyourfuture.

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

2 weabenefits.com

© 2012 WEA Member Benefit Trust.All rights reserved.

™

Retirement. It’s not just about the money but it helps.

10

Follow us.

Holiday ScheduleWe will be closed:

Thanksgiving—Nov. 22–23, 2012

Christmas—Dec. 24-26, 2012

New Year’s—Jan. 1, 2012

weabenefits.com

{ your account

IRA and 403(b) News2013 Prudential Guaranteed Investment announcementThe Prudential Guaranteed Investment credited rate of return for 2013 will be announced on October 26 at weabenefits.com. The Prudential fact sheet and a Q&A regarding the current Prudential Guaranteed Investment contract will also be available on October 26 at weabenefits.com/investments.

Year-end distribution deadlines Lump-sumwithdrawalsAre you planning to take a lump-sum withdrawal from your WEA TSA Trust or WEAC IRA account before the end of 2012? If so, your original written request form must be received (not postmarked) by us on or before December14,2012, in order to process by year end. If we receive your form after December 14, it will be processed the second week of January 2013. Unfortunately, we cannot accept requests via fax.

403(b)andIRAexchanges/transfers/rolloversExchanges, transfers, and rollovers require a two-week processing time. Your completed paperwork (including approved TPA transaction authorization) will process by the end of December if we receive it by December7,2012. This includes requests for IRA recharacterizations and conversions.

PostdatedchecksWe are not able to accept checks written and received this tax year (2012) for next tax year (2013). Please do not postdate your checks. Any post-dated checks received will be returned.

New mutual funds are hereRead about three new funds and why you might consider including them in your investment portfolio on page eight.

Employer-paid contributionsIf you will be receiving employer-paid contributions in your 403(b) account, it is important to review your account and update your future contribution allocations. Contributions will be defaulted into an age appropriate Vanguard Target Retirement Fund* if no contribution allocations are on file. Please call 1-800-279-4030, Ext. 8568 to review your allocations.*Targetretirementfundsinvestinamixofstockandbondfundsthatsteadilybecomemoreconservativeastheyapproachtheirtargetdate.Targetretirementfundsarenotguaranteedandmaygainorlosevaluenowandaftertheirtargetdate.

Avoid penalties! Watch your contribution limits…it’s year end! It’s up to the participant (not the employer) to pay attention to limits. Contribution limits for 403(b) accounts are $17,000 for 2012, however, employees age 50 and older can contribute an additional $5,500 for a total of $22,500.

Keep in mind that mutual fund investments are not guaranteed and may gain or lose value. Past perfor-mance is no guarantee for future results. Future performance may be lower or higher than past performance.Before investing in any mutual fund, call WEA Trust Member Benefits at 1-800-279-4030 to request a prospectus.We advise you to read it carefully and consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, and charges and expensescarefullybeforeinvesting.Theprospectuscontainsthisandotherinformationabouttheinvestmentcompany.

TheTrusteefortheWEACIRAprogramisFirstBusinessTrust&Investments.The403(b)retirementprogramisofferedbytheWEATSATrust.TSAprogramsecuritiesofferedthroughWEAInvestmentServices,Inc.,memberFINRA.

Fewer pay cycles? Don’t shortchange your IRA or 403(b).

Many districts are reducing the number of pay cycles from 24 to 20 per year. If you have a set dollar amount deducted per paycheck for 403(b) or IRA contributions, you need to adjust that amount so you can continue to meet your retirement savings goal.

For example, if you want to save $2,000 per year and have been receiving 24 checks per year, your contribution per paycheck would be $83 (for a total of $1992). However, if you are now receiving 20 checks per year, that $83 contribution will accumulate to just $1660 by the end of the year. To stay on pace to reach your yearly goal, increase your contribution to $100.

If this affects you, contact your business office today and fill out a Salary Reduction Agreement to modify your contribution withholdings.

3

weabenefits.com4

there for my mom. My dad died when I was 17 and she has been an excellent role model for picking yourself up and moving forward. She also made me understand that money truly does not buy happiness. She would give any one of her six children the last dollar she had because her philosophy was, ‘I’ve got plenty.’”

Saving on your ownCarol also saved for retirement with a

403(b). “I started in 1978 after I got my master’s degree. It’s amazing how fast it accumulated even though I started with a small amount. It’s difficult because sometimes money is tight and you live paycheck to paycheck, but most people won’t miss $25 or $50 a paycheck once they start.”

Michelle has completed more than 500 retirement plans for Wisconsin public school employees over the last five years. “With the changes in employee benefits—including retirement benefits—stemming from Act 10, it’s imperative that public

For Carol Gautsch, the decision to retire was an easy one. Her mother who suffers from dementia was deteriorating. “The doctor called us in and said we

would see significant and rapid changes in Mom.” Wanting no regrets, Carol retired in 2007 at the age of 58.

Like most Wisconsin public school employees, Carol’s retirement income sources are the Wisconsin Retirement System pension, Social Security benefit, and personal savings. She also received a district retirement package (which included a health insurance benefit), making her decision to retire easier.

According to Michelle Slawny, CFP®, Sr. Financial Planner at WEA Trust Member Benefits, one of the greatest financial concerns today for those retiring early is covering the cost of health care during the gap years before Medicare starts. The average annual cost for a single health insurance policy is about $8,000

depending on the plan. Those retiring early without a health insurance benefit from their employer or coverage from a spouse need to be prepared to pay out of pocket.

Without the health insurance benefit, Carol would have needed about $56,000 to fill the gap.

Even after Medicare kicks in there will likely be medical expenses. Retirees are often surprised to learn that Medicare does not cover everything. Dental, eye care, or long-term care services you might need fall into the “not covered” column. Supplemental insurance policies are available. Plan to spend some time doing research as policy pricing and coverages vary widely.

“I wouldn’t advise anyone to just go for it. You have to do some planning and you have to figure out what is right for your life. But once you make a decision, move on and don’t look back,” says Carol.

“Retirement is a new chapter in my life. Right now my primary focus is to be

CarolGautsch,retiredpublicschoolemployee

“I wouldn’t advise anyone to just go for it. You have to do some planning and

you have to figure out what is right for your life. But once you make a decision,

move on and don’t look back.”

{ your story

RetIRement SAtISFACtIOn

The keys to

Prep + Positive Attitude

5weabenefits.com 5

continued on page 9

typically say you need about 80% of your before-retirement income but actual needs can vary considerably. In addition to assessing your retirement income and assets, you need to answer questions like: What kind of lifestyle do you plan to have and will your retirement income support it? Have you accounted for inflation and taxes? Are your investments positioned to deal with turbulent markets? These details are crucial to retirement planning, but many take the leap without a clear understanding of their financial future. Until you answer these questions in some detail, you won’t be able to put a price tag on it.

“One way to reduce your expenses in retirement is to take a serious look at your greatest expenses like where you live. A bigger house means a bigger house payment, higher maintenance costs, and higher taxes. Downsizing and/or relocating to a city with a lower cost of living will improve your finances,” suggests Michelle.

Working in retirementCarol took a part-time job at the local

credit union. It gives her a social outlet, a little extra cash, and opportunities to get involved in the community. “Do I have to work? No, but I need to be around people. And, every day I find a way to use my teaching skills in my job. Do I need the money? I could live without it if I chose

school employees understand the need to start personal savings. Whatever they can build up in their IRA and 403(b) accounts is going to play an even greater role in their ability to retire when and how they want.”

“Once I made the decision, everything moved very quickly. I sold my house in eight days and moved to Holmen to be near mom,” says Carol. “I have absolutely no regrets. I was able to spend one wonderful year with my mom before her dementia got worse. She’ll be 99 this year, so I don’t know what I expect.”

Spending in retirementA pleasant surprise for Carol was a

reduction in expenses. She lowered her housing costs by selling her home in Madison and moving to Holmen. Plus, she spends less on clothes and no longer needs to buy school supplies. “As a teacher, you just stop and pick up what you need for your classroom and you don’t get reimbursed. I don’t have that expense anymore.” On average, teachers spend nearly $600 per year of their own money to help supply their classroom, according to the National School Supply and Equipment Association.

“Some of the overlooked expenses in retirement can also be the most costly,”says Michelle. Financial planners

Set goals“Set financial goals for each year—

this is especially important for new educators. If one year you falter, don’t give up. Goals get us to where we want to be.”

Don’t look back“Once you make the decision

to retire, don’t look back. I loved teaching. I had an awesome career, but that’s behind me now. This is a new chapter in my life.”

Give yourself time to unwind “The mental exhaustion from

teaching takes a toll. I couldn’t believe how tired I was after I got out of the mental marathon. It took a while to get used to a slower pace. I’ve learned to enjoy the simple things in life again.”

Reconnect “Rekindling relationships with

family and friends has been very rewarding. And, I’m especially glad I’ve had time to spend with Mom.”

Stay active “I need to be around people. It’s

one of the reasons I’m working part-time. I also take advantage of opportunities to get involved with things in my community.”

Continue to teach“There are a lot of teaching

opportunities outside the classroom. I find I use my teaching skills every day in my job. I’m hoping to assist with Junior Achievement sessions and volunteer for the Reality Store event that teaches financial skills to students.”

Carol’s Tips For Getting Retirement Right

{The keys to

Saving just $50 per month starting at age 28 can make a difference in how financially prepared you are for retirement.

This is for illustrative purposes only. No guarantees are expressed or implied. Results will vary based upon actual return realized.

weabenefits.com6

Information in your credit report is used in various ways by potential lenders, landlords, insurance companies and even some employers

to make decisions about you. Depending on what you are looking to do—get a mortgage, buy a car, rent an apartment—you will earn a score that indicates your creditworthiness or financial reliability. A mortgage company may look at one set of factors while a potential landlord looks at another. Either way, the higher your score (typically a three-digit grade) the better.

A good score can save you money and gives you more options. A bad score can be costly. For example, your score is used to determine whether you can get a mortgage loan as well as the terms of the loan, including the interest rate you’ll pay. Credit card companies give a more favorable interest rate and a larger line of credit with a higher score. Insurance companies look at many factors to determine the level of risk associated with each individual they insure. Some factors from your credit report are included in your insurance score, which is used in rating and underwriting. Studies indicate that people with a lower credit score are more likely to have a loss than those with a higher score.

tHe HIGH CO$t Of a Low Credit Score

WANT MORE?annualcreditreport.comfico.com

{

10The evaluation of your overall

financialreliability is increasinglyconnected to your credit score.Because a low credit score is anindicator of financial risk, thosewithlowerscoresmayexperience:

1.Higherinterestratesoncreditcardsandloans.

2.Creditandloanapplicationsmaynotbeapproved.

3.Higherinsurancepremiumsandstricterunderwriting.

4.Securitydepositrequiredonutilities.

5.Cellphoneprovidermayrequireprepaidcellphone.

6.Employmentmaybedeniedinsomefields.

7.Difficultygettingapprovedforanapartment.

8.Callsfromdebtcollectors.

9.Difficultystartingyourownbusiness.

10.Difficultypurchasingacar.

Pay nearly $90,000 more in interest overthe life of the loan!

What’s in your scoreThe FICO® (short for Fair Isaac

Corporation, a publicly held company) score is commonly used in lending decisions. Scores range from 300 to 850 and are generally based on the following: • Amount owed relative to credit limit• Length of credit history• Types of credit lines• Payment history• New credit lines (how many and over

what period of time)

Keys to raising your score When you have a good credit score, you

have many financial advantages. If your score is less than stellar, you will pay a price (literally). However, there are steps you can take, and over time, you can improve your score and save money along the way.

$ Pay your bills on time. More than one-third of your score is

based on your payment history. If you have a hard time making payments on time, it may help to set up payment reminders or automatic payment deductions through your bank or credit union. To improve your score, always pay on time.

High FICO Score = Big Savings Source: Better Business Bureau

Here’s an example of what a difference your credit score can make on a 30-year fixed mortgage loan for a $250,000 home.

FICOscore:620-639Interestrate:

6.332%Monthlypayment:

$1,533

FICOscore:760-850Interestrate:

4.743%Monthlypayment:

$1,303

VS. {

SIDE EFFECTS OF A LOW SCORE

{ your credit score

weabenefits.com

2012 Financial Mentor Awards

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2013 FINANCIAL MENTORSGOTO:WEABENEFITS.COM/MENTOR

{

Keith Barton Milwaukee Public SchoolsSarah Campbell Wisconsin Dells School DistrictJerry Danner Lomira School DistrictKris Debruine Oostburg/Cedar Grove-Belgium School DistrictsMary Frisch Arcadia School DistrictJohn Hansen Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School DistrictChris Heller Appleton School DistrictDeb Huppert Prescott School DistrictSue Jasman Mayville School DistrictBeth Killian Arcadia School DistrictWilliam Kirsch Waukesha School DistrictFrank Koczan Sheboygan Area School DistrictMark Leschke Appleton School District

$ Keep credit card balances low.Another third of your score is based on

how much of your available credit you are using. It’s a good idea to stay under 25% of your credit limit, even if you pay your bill in full every month. Never max out your cards.

$ Limit the number of credit cards you open.

The length of your credit history accounts for about 15% of your credit score. Opening several new cards in a short period of time lowers the average age of your accounts. However, don’t close unused credit card accounts. Canceling a card can actually lower your score. Credit card companies sometimes close accounts that are inactive, so you may want to use the card occasionally to keep it open.

Opening new cards also means inquiries to your credit report. The amount of traffic your report gets represents 10% of your score. Too many inquiries will have a negative impact.

$ Check your credit report for errors. Errors happen. Periodic reviews will

help catch any problems early, making for easier correction. Visit annualcreditreport.com to request a free report every 12 months from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Order them all at one time or order just one report every four months.

$ Need help?If you are having trouble making ends

meet, contact your creditors or see a legitimate credit counselor. This won’t rebuild your credit score immediately, but if you begin to manage your credit and pay on time, your score should improve. Remember, seeking help from a credit counseling service will not hurt your score.

Note: Your credit report does not include your credit score. You can purchase your score online from one of the credit bureaus (sometimes they offer special pricing) or ask your credit union if they offer scores for free as a benefit to account holders. Be cautious with other online offers to get a free credit score. Check out the details thoroughly before signing up or giving personal information. Accessing and monitoring your own credit report does not affect your score. Also, inquiries made by insurance companies do not affect your score.

Ken Loest Fond du Lac School DistrictJames Mani Lakeshore Technical CollegeTim McCarthy Glendale School DistrictBrad Miller Two Rivers School DistrictBob Moeller WEAC MadisonSandy Nass West Suburban UniServKathleen Schneider Madison Metropolitan School DistrictJudy Van Wattingen Lakeshore Technical College

Do you have a financial mentor in your school? Maybe it’s you. Nominations for 2013 mentors are now being accepted at weabenefits.com/mentor.

7

The results are in for the winners of the 2012 Financial Mentor Award! The award is given to Wisconsin public school employees who take the time to mentor their colleagues on the benefits of good financial planning and saving for retirement.

We also received a number of comments from those who nominated a mentor that illustrate the effort people make to help others. Mentors “persistently, yetpatiently,encouragedmetobeginmyfinancialretirementplanningandwalkedmethroughtheprocessofresearchingandtheninitiatingmyinvestmentportfolio”;took time to “chatwithmeatthelunchtableaboutthevalueofstartingaTSAandputtinginasmuchmoneyaspossible”;and always “makesureemployeesunderstandhowchangesinSocialSecurity,WRS,orbenefitsimpactthem.”

We tip our hat to these well-deserving winners. Besides recognizing them here, each winner receives a personal certificate of recognition.

weabenefits.com8

{ your investments

W ith about 7,000 mutual funds in the United States, the prospect of choosing funds that fit your needs

can be a little overwhelming, if not intimidating. Where does one start?

One of the benefits of having your 403(b) and/or IRA accounts with Member Benefits is that we pare down the selection

of options for you and make it easier to build your portfolio. We select and monitor mutual funds through a screening process that considers relevant asset class, manager tenure, volatility, fees, and performance compared to fund peer groups.

Periodically, we find it in the best interest of our participants to change our funds. Effective August 2012, we added three

new funds to our lineup: Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund (Institutional Shares), Legg Mason ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund (Institutional Shares), and Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund.

You’ll notice that two of these funds offer institutional shares, which save you money. With over 40,000 Wisconsin educators investing through our 403(b) and IRA programs, our buying power allows us to negotiate and offer lower cost institutional shares when available.

The following information about the new funds should help you determine

if and how they might fit into your asset mix.

New mutual funds

Fitting new funds into your mix

Before investing in any mutual fund, call WEA Trust Member Benefits at 1-800-279-4030 to request a prospectus. You can also find the prospectus on our Web site, weabenefits.com. We advise you to read it carefully and

consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, and charges and

expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and

other information about the investment company.

Target retirement funds invest in a mix of stock and bond funds that steadily become more conservative as they approach their target date. The principal value of a target retirement fund is not guaranteed and may gain or lose value now and after its target date.

8

weabenefits.com 9

Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund (Institutional Shares)

Fund Returns*

1 yr 3 yr 5 yr-0.55 11.01 4.58

The Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund invests in emerging and developing market stocks of companies that appear likely to grow at a faster pace than the world gross domestic product. It is a large cap growth fund suitable for those interested in including international stocks in their portfolio. The fund searches for high-quality businesses in rapidly growing countries that show sustainable competitive advantages and above-average earnings growth.

It has earned a five star rating by Morningstar™ among 353 Diversified Emerging Markets funds for the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods that ended June 30, 2012 based on risk-adjusted performance.

*Oppenheimer Developing Markets fund performance is shown for its Y share class.

Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund

This fund was added for those who plan to begin taking distributions in or near the year 2060. Target Retirement Funds may be a good choice for investors who desire a simple, one-decision investment option designed to build assets without the need for monitoring or rebalancing. Vanguard Target Retirement Fund 2060 is a “fund of funds” that offers a diversified portfolio within a single fund that adjusts its underlying asset mix over time. The fund provides broad diversification while incrementally decreasing exposure to equities and increasing exposure to bonds as the fund’s target retirement date approaches, at which time it will be invested with 50% stocks and 50% bonds. The fund continues to adjust for approximately seven years after that date until its allocations match that of the Target Retirement Income Fund. Investors in the fund should be able to tolerate the risks that come from the volatility of the stock and bond markets.

Legg Mason ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund (Institutional Shares)

The Legg Mason ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund seeks long-term capital growth by investing primarily in common stocks of small-cap U.S. companies with an emphasis on one or more of the following: strong management teams, good prospects for growth, growing demand for their products or services, dominant positions, and strong or improving financial profiles. This fund may also invest up to 20% in foreign securities.

{ WANT MORE?Morningstar™ Fund Analysis,

Fact Sheets, and Prospectus at

weabenefits.com/investments

Fund Returns

1 yr 3 yr 5 yr21.11 18.77 5.42

to, but I have some special charities and people that I like to help out. The extra money allows for that.”

If you decide to work in retirement and you are receiving a Social Security benefit, be aware that if you exceed the earning limit of $14,640 (2012), your benefit will be reduced. For every $2 you go over the earning limit, you give up $1 of benefit.

On the subject of Social Security, Michelle adds, “Many retirees don’t realize that up to 85% of Social Security benefits are taxable, and the income threshold that triggers Social Security income taxation is low—$32,000 for a married couple.”

You’ll also pay taxes on retirement income from Wisconsin Retirement System and any other pre-tax retirement savings, such as a Traditional IRA, 403(b), or 401k. No taxes are taken out on the front end when contributions are made, but withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income.

On the other hand, if you made Roth contributions, you paid the taxes up front so you owe nothing on qualified withdrawals. Roth savings help diversify your tax liability in retirement, which could provide you with thousands of dollars in extra disposable income per year. For those still working, consider directing some or all of your retirement savings contributions into a Roth IRA or Roth 403(b) to help manage your tax bill in retirement.

“There will always be worries about finances. But I don’t let it consume me. I’m fortunate that I started contributing to my 403(b) early on. You do have to start planning early. You just have to start with whatever you can because you have to have something that’s yours. I’m partial to WEA. Other companies offer savings programs but they are in it to make money. It’s the same reason I love the credit union. We’re members,” says Carol.

continued from page 5

Member Profile

Carol Gautsch has quite a resume. Her 35-year teaching career took her from Hillsboro to Washburn and ended in Verona. She also spent five years in Eau Claire at the Indianhead Federated Library System. She has a BS in Secondary Education and English and a Master’s Degree in Audio Visual Media.

But, that’s the previous chapter in her life. Carol has moved on. After retiring at age 58, Carol moved to Holmen to be near her mother who suffers from dementia, “Taking care of Mom is my primary job,” says Carol. “I spend a lot of time hanging out with her—looking at cook books and taking walks.”

She works part-time at a credit union and takes advantage of opportunities to get involved in community events such as Easter egg hunts, parades, and the Oktoberfest breakfast.

Carol is embracing retirement and has had many pleasant surprises. “Reconnecting with family and friends, particularly my nieces and nephews, has been especially rewarding,” she says.

{

Fund performance as of 6/30/12 Fund performance as of 6/30/12

10

{ your kiosk

weabenefits.com

In 2010, 3,092 people were killed and an estimated 416,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.

DISTRACTED DRIVINg

Tips to stay safe.Here are four ways to help you resist the temptation to use your cell phone and reduce the risk of an accident.

Out of sight, out of mind.When you’re in the car, put your phone where you can’t get it, like the glove compartment. No phone. No texting.

Silence is golden.Turn your phone off. The temptation to respond to incoming texts and calls will be eliminated if you don’t hear it.

Find an app.An app can help you stop using your cell phone while driving. There are many solutions available. Some apps automatically kick in when the car starts rolling. Others simply help curb the urge to talk or text while driving. Some are free.

Designate a texter.Pick a passenger to do your texting for you while you are behind the wheel.

Is Texting the new DUI?

“The Last Text”Ifyouneedanyfurtherproofthatdrivingandtextingdon’tgotogether,watchAT&T’s10minute-documentary,“TheLastText.”JustGoogleit.

40%

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. Such activities include eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading, using a navigation system, watching a video, adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player, and of course using a cell phone or

smartphone for talking or texting.While any type of distraction can be dangerous, texting poses a greater threat because it

requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver. As more drivers take their cell phones into their vehicles, distracted driving continues to

grow as a traffic safety issue. Thirty-nine states (including Wisconsin) have responded by enacting some sort of cell phone or texting ban.

Know the danger. These statistics are powerfully

persuasive. Share them with your family and friends to promote safe driving habits.

of drivers with cell phones under the age

of 35 send or read text messages while driving.

49%

5seconds

is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting.

At 55mph, that’s enough time to cover the

length of a football field.

of all American teens say they have been in a

car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put

people in danger.

60%of drivers use cell

phones while driving.

[Sources: , Pew, AA, NHTSA, Harris

Poll, University of Utah, Virginia Tech

Transportation Institute, CTIA]

Using a cell phone while driving

delays a driver’s reaction time as much

as a blood alcohol concentration at the

legal limit of

.08%A

texting driver is

23 times more likely to get into

a crash than a nontexting

driver.

10

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On October 26 go to

weabenefits.com to find:

• The 2013creditedrateofreturnforthePrudentialGuaranteedInvestment for the WEA Tax Sheltered Annuity Trust and WEAC IRA programs.

• Information about Prudential’s financial strength and rating.

• A Q&A regarding the current Prudential Guaranteed Investment contract.

The rate will also be announced in our recorded

message when you call 1-800-279-4030.

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.

Don’t wait until the last minute to plan for retirement. In fact, the earlier you start, the better. As a Wisconsin public school employee, you can make an appointment with our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ for unbiased help in reaching your financial goals. The following services are available:

Financial planning services can help you meet your goals

One-hour consultation If you are just starting your career or are

new to investing, we can help you determine an appropriate asset allocation, evaluate your retirement savings account options, and calculate savings goals.

Portfolio Analysis* Wondering if your investments are still

aligned with your financial goals? This service will provide a comprehensive analysis of your current investment portfolio and make recommendations.

Retirement Income Projection* If you are 11+ years from retirement, we

can help you determine whether you’re on track to retire or what adjustments you need to make now to meet your retirement goals.

Retirement Income Analysis* This comprehensive financial planning

service is designed to help you determine your readiness for retirement and create a game plan for making important retirement decisions. WEAC members receive a discount.

Schedule an appointment today! Call 1-800-279-4030, select

Option 1 and Extension 6730 or 2753. For more information, visit

weabenefits.com and click on Financial Planning.

*These are fee-based financial planning services. WEA TSA Trust participants may beeligibleforadiscount.Callfordetails.

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

TM

PRESORTED STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAID

MADISON WI PERMIT NO 2750

PO Box 7893, Madison, WI 53707-7893

TM

What have you got to lose? Plenty. Ifyoudon’thavetherightprotection.

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

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

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

Getaquotefrom someone you trust today.

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.