your$ magazine -- winter 2012

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Fees Bite! WINTER 2011-12 WINTER 2011-12 your $ A magazine from WEA Trust Member Benefits your investment How mutual funds make our lineup. your resource New and improved weabenefits.com. your kiosk Is your dog a liability? } TM weabenefits.com Three more reasons to pay attention.

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Your investment: How mutual funds make our lineup. Your resource: New and improved weabenefits.com. Your kiosk: Is your dog a liability?

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Page 1: Your$ Magazine -- Winter 2012

Fees Bite!

WINTER 2011-12 WINTER 2011-12

your$™A magazine from WEA Trust Member Benefi ts

your investmentHow mutual funds make our lineup.

your resourceNew and improved weabenefi ts.com.

your kioskIs your dog a liability?}

TMweabenefi ts.com

Three more reasons to pay attention.

Page 2: Your$ Magazine -- Winter 2012

Our fee structure for both our 403(b)

and IRA programs is refl ective of our

organization’s purpose and mission.

Because we were created to provide

high-quality, low-cost, member-focused

savings vehicles, our fee structure is

simple and transparent.

Resolve to evaluate your retirement

savings account fees especially if you are

not with us. Compare and then decide

what is in your best interest.

Happy New Year!

3 YOUR ACCOUNT- Do you qualify for the

Saver’s Tax Credit?

- Contribution limits for 2012.

- Insured must mitigate loss.

4 YOUR BENEFITS- Fees Bite. Three more reasons to

pay attention to product costs.

6 YOUR INVESTMENT- Learn what criteria we use to select

and monitor mutual fund offerings.

8 YOUR RESOURCE- New and improved weabenefi ts.com.

46

Th ere has been a lot

of press lately about

debit transaction

fees many banks

announced they

would begin charging

customers. Th e banks

say they need to

recoup revenue lost

(an estimated $10

billion annually)

because of recent federal limits on how

much they can charge retailers per

“swipe.”

Bank customers were outraged at the

news. So much so that some banks have

backed down, but they have made no

secret that they’ll increase other fees—

everything from checking accounts to

penny rolls—to recover the lost profi ts.

Th is new consumer awareness of and

sensitivity for fees is important and the

timing is perfect for us to remind you

to also pay attention to fees charged to

your retirement savings accounts.

Th e article on page 4 illustrates the

numerous ways fees can negatively

impact your future nest egg and

retirement plans. Many people don’t

know how much or what fees are being

charged to them—maybe they never

asked the question—and therefore they

don’t recognize how much they are

losing because of the fees.

your$CONTENTS WINTER 2011-12

{

10 YOUR KIOSK- Thinking of getting a dog?

Read these tips and liability considerations fi rst.

- Still time for 2011 IRA contributions.

- Make a New Year’s resolution to attend a fi nancial education seminar.

president’s letterDave Kijek, President/CEO, WEA Trust Member Benefi ts

{

2 weabenefi ts.com

© 2011 WEA Member Benefi t Trust.All Rights Reserved.

Checking the price tag on fi nancial products is good practice.

10

Page 3: Your$ Magazine -- Winter 2012

{ your account

IRA and 403(b) NewsDo you qualify for the Saver’s Tax Credit?

The Saver’s Tax Credit allows retirement plan participants with annual ad-justed gross income of up to $28,250 (fi ling individually) or $56,500 (fi ling jointly) to save on their federal income tax. The maximum annual contribu-tion eligible for the credit is $2,000 per person. The rate is based on your income in the taxable year for which you claim the credit.

Contribution limits increase for 2012Contribution limits for 403(b) accounts will increase to $17,000 for 2012.

Employees age 50 and older can contribute an additional $5,500 for a total of $22,500. If you have 15 years or more of service with your employer, you may have an additional “catch-up” opportunity. IRA contribution limits will remain at $5,000 for 2012. If you are age 50 or older, you may contribute an additional $1,000 to your IRA. To increase your 403(b) contribution, you must fi ll out a new Salary Reduction Agreement with your district business offi ce. 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.

Target Retirement FundsOne of the investments offered by Member Benefi ts is Target Retirement Funds

(TRFs). TRFs are intended to provide investors with a one-fund solution that allocates money between stocks, bonds, and cash based on the number of years until the target retirement age is reached. However, when selecting a TRF, also consider factors such as when you intend to start withdrawals, what the allocation of the TRF is to and beyond its target, and your risk tolerance. Although TRFs are intended to simplify your investment decision, they still carry risk. 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. If you have questions, please call us at 1-800-279-4030, Ext. 8568. Before investing in any mutual fund, call WEA Trust Member Benefi ts at 1-800-279-4030 to request a prospectus. The prospectus contains information about the fund’s investment objectives, risks, fees, and other information about the investment company.

Vanguard moves TRF 2005 to TRF IncomeOn February 10, 2012, we will merge Vanguard Target Retirement 2005

fund with the Vanguard Target Retirement Income fund due to notifi cation from Vanguard that their asset allocations have become nearly identical.

Watch for your 1099RIf you took a reportable distribution from your WEA TSA Trust 403(b) and/

or WEAC IRA account(s) during 2011, we will send you a 1099R to the address on fi le on or before January 31, 2012.

Insurance News• Did you know? Homeowners policies

generally hold you (the insured) responsible for mitigating loss. For example, a tree limb falls and puts a hole in your roof. You must take action, such as covering the hole or doing a temporary fi x, to prevent further loss until it can be professionally repaired. Keep your receipts for any expenses related to the fi x, because your insurance company may reimburse you.

• Newly retired? Let us know. You may be able to reduce your auto premiums if your annual mileage has been reduced due to eliminating your work commute.

• FREE convenience. Th ere is no fee to pay your WEA P&C policy premiums with electronic fund transfer from a checking account or payroll deduction (available in over 150 districts). Most companies charge for this convenience, but not us. During these challenging times, our budget friendly payment options make paying your premiums easy and aff ordable.

• Bundle up and save. If you have your auto and home insurance with separate providers, you may be missing out on savings. Contact us to see if bundling coverage together can reduce your premiums.

• Child launching. Do you have a child who recently graduated or left your household? Don’t forget they may be eligible to have their own WEA P&C policy(ies) as long as they meet underwriting criteria. Give us a call at 1-800-279-4010 for information.

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.

3weabenefi ts.com

*Interest is compounded daily to produce a 4.15% annual yield prior to the deduction of administrative fees of the WEA TSA Trust and the WEAC IRA program. Principal and net credited in-terest are fully guaranteed by Prudential Retirement Insur-ance and Annuity Company (PRIAC). Such guarantees are based upon the fi nancial strength and claims-paying ability of PRIAC. The Trustee for the WEAC IRA program is First Business Trust & Investments.

4.15%*Earn

Guaranteed Annual Rate of Return

with the WEA TSA & WEAC IRA Guaranteed Investment

2012

Page 4: Your$ Magazine -- Winter 2012

{ your benefi ts

weabenefi ts.com4

author evaluated the impact of investment

account fees on a retiree’s withdrawals.

He found that “with a 60% bond/40%

stock asset allocation, a 1% account fee

would, on average, result in a 0.63% point

reduction in the maximum withdrawal

It’s a fact. Fees negatively impact the

value of your retirement account over

time (see graph on page 5). Th is has

been a constant and powerful message

we at Member Benefi ts have delivered to

members for over three decades. Many of

you have chosen our 403(b) or IRA, and

this article will reaffi rm the importance

of saving with a low-cost program. For

those who are still uncertain of just how

signifi cantly fees can aff ect your fi nancial

future, maybe the following will dismiss

any lingering doubt.

•••

As a member of the Financial Planning

Association professional group, I receive

the Journal of Financial Planning each

month. Th e 2011 May and August

issues included contributory articles by

Wade D. Pfau, Ph.D. One article was

about safe savings rates and the other was

about sustainable withdrawal rates. In

{ABOUT MICHELLEMichelle has over 16 years of fi nancial services experience. Her knowledge of the Wisconsin Retirement System and Social Security system provides much-needed guidance for coordination of 403(b) personal savings decisions with other anticipat-ed income resources and retirement benefi ts.

Michelle currently consults with school employees and provides a variety of fee-based fi nancial planning services, including the Portfolio Analysis, Retirement Income Projection, and Retirement Income Analysis. There are no commissions or product sales attached to these services, which means you receive an unbiased analysis of your situation.

Call 1-800-279-4030, Ext. 2753 for more information.

both articles, the author considered the

impact of investment account fees in his

evaluation.

Need to save moreIn the May article, Pfau found that

when a 1% fee was applied as part of his

analysis, the amount a person needs to

save during their working career in order

to meet their retirement expenses—what

Pfau calls a “safe savings rate”—increased

“signifi cantly from 16.62% to 22.15%.”

Reduced spending powerPfau’s August article examined

the opposite concept, a sustainable

withdrawal rate for retirees. Again, the

We’ve said it before. The fees you pay in your retirement savings accounts matter! Over time, fees eat away at your account balance and can signifi cantly reduce your retirement nest egg. But this isn’t the only reason to keep fees in check. Fees bite (into your fi nancial security) in three additional ways. Michelle Slawny, CFP®, Sr. Financial Planner

FEES BITE!Every percentage point you pay out in fees needs

to be made up in earnings just to break even.

4

Page 5: Your$ Magazine -- Winter 2012

5weabenefi ts.com 5

continued on page 9

members and $750 for nonmembers.

(Mutual fund management fees apply.)It is also worth noting that your

family members, including your spouse,

children and their spouses, parents, and

parents-in-law may also be able to reduce

costs associated with various retirement

accounts by opening or rolling over

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

retirement.

Fees increase the likelihood that you will deplete your accounts before the end of your

life.

Fees increase the amount you will need to save over your career to meet your goals.

rate, which represents an average reduction

in retiree annual spending power of 11%.”

Running out of moneyFinally, many members worry about

running out of money before the end of

their lives. Fees can impact this as well.

According to David Blanchett, a Director

at Unifi ed Trust Company, a 1% advisory

fee plus 0.50% in fund expenses (total

annual fee of 1.50%) increases the chances

that an account will be depleted early

from 5% to 13%. (Th is assumes a 60%

bond/40% stock asset allocation and 4%

in annual withdrawals.)

Choose wiselySo, as you consider which retirement

account to use as you plan for your future,

be sure to pay attention to the cost. Not

only will account fees impact your account

accumulation, but they will also aff ect the

amount you need to save, the amount you

can withdraw later, and the chances of

outliving your money.

Consider how choosing a low-cost

provider will help you better prepare

for your retirement as you evaluate your

retirement savings account options.

Remember, not all providers charge

the same fees. See page 9 for a list of fees

to watch out for. Ask your current or

potential provider which fees they charge

and request it in writing.

Our fees are simpleTh e WEA TSA Trust has received

national recognition for being a low-cost,

high-quality 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity

provider. We charge one low annual

administrative fee (0.35%) with an annual

cap ($300). Likewise, our IRA program

charges one low annual administrative fee

of 0.45% with a fee cap of $600 for WEAC

Illustration assumes an annual contribution of $5,000 and an annual rate of return of 7% over a period of 30 years. This is for illustrative purposes only and not indicative of any investment. The assumed fees are:Annuity: 1% annual insurance charge (mortality and expense plus administrative charges).Loaded mutual fund: Front-end sales charge (5.75–3.5% with reduction at breakpoints) and annual 12b-1 fee of 0.25%.WEAC IRA: Annual administrative fee of 0.45% with an annual maximum of $600 for WEAC members and $750 for nonmembers. This illustration assumes fees for a WEAC member.WEA TSA Trust: Annual administrative fee of 0.35% (with an annual maximum of $300). $25 inactive ac-count minimum annual fee applies to accounts with no contributions or distributions.Mutual fund management fees apply.The 403(b) retirement plan is offered by the WEA TSA Trust. TSA program securities offered through WEA Investment Services, Inc., member FINRA. All investment advisory services are offered through WEA Financial Advisors, Inc.The Trustee for the WEAC IRA program is First Business Trust & Investments.

The Impact of Fees Over Time

[Source: Journal of Financial Planning, May 2011, August 2011] 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.

$500k -------------------------------------------------

$480k -------------------------------------------------

$460k -------------------------------------------------

$440k -------------------------------------------------

$420k -------------------------------------------------

$400k -------------------------------------------------

Ending Account Balance

Insurance Loaded WEAC WEA TSA Company Annuity Mutual Fund IRA Trust

$487,536

$476,175

$458,583

$419,008

into our IRA program. Give us a call for

more information. Wisconsin residency

required.

5

Page 6: Your$ Magazine -- Winter 2012

6 weabenefi ts.com

{ your investments

Amutual fund is basically a

collection of stocks or bonds

with something in common.

When investing in a mutual

fund, you’re essentially pooling your

money with other investors to access a

broader range of stocks or bonds than

most people can own by themselves.

Your decision to incorporate mutual

funds into your investment mix needs to

take into consideration your particular

situation, including fi nancial goals,

investment timeline, and tolerance for

risk.

What’s your timeline?Length of time until retirement is one

of the biggest factors to consider when

determining asset allocation. Although

many investors are feeling cautious in

these uncertain markets, the asset mix of

a participant with decades until retirement

should look very diff erent from that of

someone who is on the verge of tapping

into his or her retirement savings.

Th e closer you are to retirement, the less

time you have to make up any losses due to

market volatility. So, a more conservative

investment approach may be in order.

On the other hand, for those investors

who are many years away from retirement

but utilizing a conservative investment

mixture, it may be necessary to save more

in order to counteract the lower return

over time.

Choosing your fundsEvery mutual fund refl ects a particular

investment objective and style, such as

growth or value, which aff ects the stocks,

bonds, and/or other securities that it buys.

Knowing this can help you to determine

whether a fund would be a good fi t for

your overall portfolio. See “What’s In Your

Nineteen no-load mutual funds and our Guaranteed Investment provide the fl exibility participants need to create a diversifi ed portfolio. However, to make our lineup, mutual funds must survive a rigorous screening process and meet our high standards.

Mutual Mutual FundsFundsThere’s nothing random about our mutual fund offerings.

Page 7: Your$ Magazine -- Winter 2012

weabenefi ts.com 7

What is Morningstar®?Morningstar, Inc., is a Chicago-based investment research fi rm that compiles and analyzes fund, stock, and general market data. Their research includes markets in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

Morningstar is a respected and reliable source of independent investment analysis for all levels of fund and stock investors, ranging from inexperienced beginners to sophisticated experts. Its Web site includes free information on individual funds and stocks.

WEA Trust Member Benefi ts subscribes to Morningstar analyses for all of our funds. Go to weabenefi ts.com/investments for links to Morningstar investment profi les.

and negative. We benchmark investments

against the Morningstar® category average

and appropriate index over a 5-year

period. By combining this evaluation with

the return criteria, we are able to monitor

the risk/reward profi le of each investment.

✓ Style driftEach fund plays a diff erent investment

role in your portfolio. Th ey work together

to create a diversifi ed portfolio that is

intended to spread out your risk and

soften the impact of market volatility.

Style drift occurs when a fund begins

to stray from its stated investment style or

objective. Gone unchecked, style drift can

change the risk/reward characteristic of a

portfolio. Monitoring funds for style drift

ensures that each fund remains invested in

its stated category and continues to fi ll the

intended investment role in your portfolio.

✓ ExpensesKeeping expenses low means more

money stays in your account. We seek to

include fund with expenses below their

Morningstar® category average. Paying less

in fees and expenses is one way you can

improve the return on your investment.

Remember, the number one factor in

determining your rate of return—after

asset allocation—is cost. Fees matter. (See

article on page 4.)

✓ Manager tenureWe believe that participants are best

served by fund managers who have proven

themselves over an extended period of

time.

We look for seasoned fund managers

with at least three years of history

managing the investment. Th is allows

us to attribute past fund performance to

a greater degree on the decisions of the

fund manager and helps us anticipate their

managing eff ectiveness going forward.

✓ Asset sizeWe seek mutual funds

that maintain at least

$50 million in assets

under management.

Typically, funds with

signifi cant assets under

management have

lower costs and are at a lower risk for

dissolving.

✓ Compliance with regulatory requirements

We use this criteria to ensure that the

fund companies we do business with are

conducting themselves in accordance with

all securities laws and rules.

When funds fall shortOnce selected, funds are monitored on

a semiannual basis. Generally, funds that

do not align with our goals are further

evaluated to determine its future with our

program. If it is decided that the mutual

fund is no longer appropriate, a search will

be conducted to fi nd a fund to replace it.

Keep in mind that mutual fund investments are not guaranteed and may gain or lose value. Past performance 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 Benefi ts 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 expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the investment company.

The criteria and procedures by which we select and evaluate mutual funds is subject to change.

The 403(b) retirement plan 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.

Portfolio” from the previous issue of your$to learn the basics about selecting funds

for your portfolio.

Inspected by…Participants in our 403(b) and IRA

programs may choose from 19 mutual

funds representing fi ve asset classes. Each

fund was selected and is monitored based

on a consistent—and rather strict—set of

criteria to determine whether they make

the cut for inclusion in our lineup.

“We take the

selection process very

serious and are proud of

the investments we’ve

chosen for participant

consideration,” says

Susan Winchester,

Vice President of

Retirement and

Investment Services. Th e following criteria

is used for the selection, monitoring, and

termination of mutual funds.

✓ ReturnWe look at each mutual fund’s

5-year returns compared to others in its

Morningstar® category and its appropriate

index. While many investors focus on the

short term, we utilize the 5-year period to

get a better picture of how the investment

will perform long term over diff erent

market cycles. While past performance

is no guarantee of future performance,

looking at historical returns is useful when

comparing like funds.

✓ RiskWe use standard deviation—the range

of return possibilities of an investment-—

as our measurement of risk. Th e greater

the standard deviation, the larger the

range of return potential, both positive

“We take the [mutual fund] selection process

very serious and are proud of the investments

we’ve chosen for participant consideration.”

Page 8: Your$ Magazine -- Winter 2012

8 weabenefi ts.com

{ your resource

weabenefits.comFresh New Look

Improved Search

Quick Links

Seminars at a Glance

New Financial Blog

Related Links

Now even better!

Bookmark it.

Page 9: Your$ Magazine -- Winter 2012

weabenefi ts.com 9

Retired? Changing jobs? Stick with us!

Despite what you may hear, you do

NOT have to move your 403(b) or

IRA account when you retire or change

jobs...even if you change careers. Once

you have an account with us, you can

keep it here and continue to enjoy the

quality service and low fees.

We administer accounts for thou-

sands of retirees and we even adminis-

ter benefi ciary accounts. We are happy

to continue administering the account

your spouse, children, or whoever you

designate as your benefi ciary to the ex-

tent allowed by the IRS.

The IRS imposes a required minimum distri-bution (RMD) in the years following the account holders 70½ birthday. Visit weabenefi ts.com for a brochure detailing RMD requirements, or consult your fi nancial or tax advisor.

Fees Bite —continued from page 5

{ WANT MORE?“Just for Teachers” sec.gov/investor/teachers.shtmlClick on Evaluating my retirement plan options

{KNOW THY FEE$The number one factor in determining your rate of return—after asset allocation—is cost. Fees eat into your bottom line, so to make the most of your invested dollar, you will want to minimize the fees you pay.

WATCH OUT FOR THE FOLLOWING FEES COMMONLY CHARGED TO RETIREMENT SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS.

$$ MORTALITY AND EXPENSE (M&E) FEEMortality fees are paid to ensure that, after your death, your benefi ciaries will not receive less than what was contributed to the account. These fees generally cost you about 1.25%-1.5% per year. M&E is most often associated with variable annuity accounts.

$$ COMMISSIONS (LOADS)A load is a commission the investor pays to purchase (front end) or sell (back end) an investment. Look for no-load investment options to avoid this cost.

$$ MANAGEMENT FEEAlso called the investment advisory fee, this represents the company’s cost for managing the money in the fund.

$$ 12B-1 FEEThis charge generally allows fund companies to compensate broker/dealers for selling their funds, with a payment to the representative who sold the fund. This fee is also used to cover the marketing and distribution costs of the investment.

$$ ANNUAL CONTRACT CHARGEA fee charged by a vendor for administrative expenses.

$$ CUSTODIAL FEEThe charge for safekeeping or physically holding the securities in the account.

$$ SURRENDER CHARGE (WITHDRAWAL CHARGE)This fee is charged as a penalty for withdrawing your money (even for transfers) before the required holding period is over. Holding periods can be 7, 10, or even 20 years. The penalty claims a percentage of your account, typically up to 7%, but it may be higher.

$$ WRAP ACCOUNT FEECharged by a personal fi nancial advisor, this fee is expressed as a percentage of the client’s assets under management. It is in addition to the other fees listed.

The WEA TSA Trust program has one low annual administrative fee of 0.35% (with an annual maxi-mum of $300)*. The WEAC IRA program has one low administrative fee* of 0.45% (with an annual maximum of $600 for WEAC members and $750 for nonmembers). Mutual fund management fees apply. For help determining which of the above fees you pay with your current vendor, call a WEA Trust Member Benefi ts retirement consultant at 1-800-279-4030.

*A minimum administrative fee of $25 will be assessed to inactive accounts. Inactive accounts are accounts with no contributions or distributions.

Fees Bite —continued from page 5

Page 10: Your$ Magazine -- Winter 2012

{ your kiosk

weabenefi ts.com

Things to consider

prior to picking a poochresulting from a bite or attack by the dog

on another person, domestic animal, or

property. If the dog’s owner knew that the

dog previously caused injuries, the owner

must pay double damages. Th e owner also

faces a fi ne and other penalties.

Breeds and insuranceGenerally, homeowners insurance

policies do not exclude “canine exposure”

from coverage, however, each insurer may

handle the risk diff erently. Insurers may

charge a higher premium or deny coverage

for breeds construed as dangerous.

WEA Property & Casualty Insurance

Company, for example, will not insure

homeowners who own a Rottweiller, Cane

Corso, Pit Bull, Doberman, or Chow.

All are on the list of dangerous breeds

published by the Center for Disease

Control (CDC).

Generally, claims arising from

a dog incident will be paid

up to the liability limits

stated in the policy.

If the claim exceeds

this amount, the dog

owner’s umbrella

policy (if applicable) will kick in. However,

insureds run the risk of nonrenewal

following a dog bite incident.

Keep Fido SafeEven docile dogs can be pushed to their

limits. Reduce the chances of your dog bit-ing someone with these tips from the Humane Society:

• Consult a professional to learn about breeds of dogs suitable for your situation.

• Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it.

• Have your dog spayed or neutered. Stud-ies show that dogs are three times more likely to bite if they are NOT neutered.

• Socialize your dog so it knows how to act with other people and animals.

• Complete a dog obedience and training class.

• Leash your dog when out in public.

• Replace “tug of war” type games with non-aggressive games, such as

“go fetch.”

• Avoid exposing your dog to new situations in which you are unsure of its response.

• Seek professional help (veteri-narian or animal behaviorist) if the dog develops aggressive or

undesirable behaviors.

Americans love their dogs. Currently

some 78 million dogs reside in 41 million

U.S. homes, according to the Pet Food

Institute.

Certainly the benefi ts of dog ownership

are many. Th ey provide companionship,

loyalty, and oftentimes security and

protection. Th ere is also evidence that

dogs can have a positive eff ect on our

psychological and physiological health. Is

it any wonder they’ve been crowned “man’s

best friend?”

Dog ownership, however, does not

come without risk. If your dog damages

someone else’s property, or worse, injures

another person (or even another pet), you

could be liable.

Dog bites account for more than one-

third of all homeowners claims paid

out in 2010, according to the Insurance

Information Institute. Th eir analysis of

homeowners insurance data also found

that the average cost of dog bite claims in

2010 was $26,166.

Wisconsin lawTh e dog bite statutes of Wisconsin make

a dog owner strictly liable for damages

Before you take that cute puppy home, think about what it means to own a dog and evaluate your situation to fi nd the right dog for you. Ask these important questions:

Why do you want a dog?

Who will care for the dog for the next 12 + years?

Can you afford a dog? The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals estimates a minimum cost of $7,000 over the course of the average dog life for food, health care, grooming, and training.

Do you have time to care for the dog? Walk it, play with it, and train it?

10

Page 11: Your$ Magazine -- Winter 2012

weabenefi ts.com

Still time for 2011 IRA contributions!

There is still time to make contributions to your IRA—or open one—for the 2011 tax year. Contributions for 2011 must be postmarked by April 17, 2012.

Be sure to indicate the year for which you are con-tributing. Contribution limits for 2011 are $5,000 per year for those under age 50 and $6,000 for those age 50 and older.

If you would like to open

an IRA, call 1-800-279-4030

or enroll at weabenefi ts.com.

IRA Contribution Limitsfor 2011 and 2012

Under Age 50

$5,000Age 50 or Older

$6,000

11

ROllovers?{FEEDBACKDo you have a story to tell? Do you want to tell us what you think about the magazine or suggest an article idea? Send an e-mail to memberbenefi ts@weabenefi ts.com

Please type “your$” in the subject line.

We believe...Financial education can help you and your family

improve your fi nances and secure your future.

Plan to take advantage of free fi nancial seminar offerings this year.

Go to weabenefi ts.com/calendar to fi nd scheduled: • Live presentations offered around the state• Online presentations you can participate in from the

comfort of your home

OrView one of our“On Demand” (pre-recorded)

presentations at your convenience.

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.

Please consider all expenses prior to investing.

Page 12: Your$ Magazine -- Winter 2012

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

US POSTAGEPAID

MADISON WIPERMIT NO 2750

PO Box 7893, Madison, WI 53707-7893

TM

TM

SayWhat?

Don’t get fl eeced by a high cost 403(b).

Would it surprise you to learn that private sector companies are taking advantage of the current political environment to make a buck?

We’re not surprised. After all, we are the 403(b) program of choice for Wisconsin public school employees. The only way they can compete with our member-focused, low-cost program and excellent service is to spread rumors about us.

Don’t let the wool be pulled over your eyes.MEMBER BENEFITS HAS BEEN SERVING YOU FOR OVER 35 YEARS.

SPREAD THE TRUTH.Tell a colleague about our

commitment to helping Wisconsin public school

employees become fi nancially secure.

We’re not going ANYWHERE!

(That goes for our fi nancial programs, too!)

TM

Don’t get fl eeeced by a high cost 403(b).

(That go

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