WPS Benefit News
APRIL 2021
In This Issue:
- Plan Your Fabulous Retirement Years Now!
- Live Inspired: Jump into Spring - Letting Go of Stress
Living Debt Free (FREE Webinar)
Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work
COVID Leave Reminders & Deadlines
Employee Benefits Reminders & Feedback Requested
Plan Your Fabulous Retirement Years Now!
If you are a district employee in a KPERS (Kansas Public Employees Retirement System) covered position, you are automatically having savings taken out of each check toward your future retirement benefit.
Included annually in the Employee Benefits open enrollment brochure is a fact many may miss while focusing on benefit elections. This is your opportunity to contribute additional monies toward a voluntary retirement plan through a 457(B) Deferred Compensation Plan. This is advertised as a benefit during open enrollment but can be done anytime throughout the year by contacting our Retirement Plan Advisor:
Deb Anton, MBA
(316)210-5049
danton@retirementplanadvisors.com
This voluntary plan is a way for you to contribute a portion of your income through a choice of two methods:
1) Traditional pre-tax contributions: These are made on a pre-tax basis which reduces your taxable income. Earnings accumulate on a tax-deferred basis and distributions are taxed as ordinary income.
2) Roth contributions: These are made on an after-tax basis. Earnings accumulate on a tax-deferred basis and distributions are tax-free if made five years after the initial contribution to the plan and the employee is over 59 1/2 years of age.
You are never too old to begin saving, but the younger you start, the more you are likely to have accumulated at the time of retirement. Sources at www.businessinsider.com cite that if two people save the same amount for retirement each month, but one starts at 25 and the other starts at 35, the early saver will have nearly twice as month in their account by age 65!
If you are in your 20s, now is the time! Change is inevitable and many of the programs now in place within the country could change by the time you retire and you want to be prepared. If you are older and feel like it is too late, it is not. Anything you do toward retirement now will still put you in a better place than you are now.
Consider checking out the calculator tool here to calculate your retirement needs and how much you would need to begin saving to make that dream a reality. To take the next step, contact our financial advisor Deb Anton.
Jump Into Spring: Letting Go of Stress
Consider these things as you spring forward in this season of new beginnings to help you let go of stress in a healthy way through self-care that is more about your state of mind than anything else.
1. Accept that change is a part of living. Focus on what you can control. While sometimes difficult to remember in the moment, when faced with a conflict, remind yourself you cannot control what others do but can control your reactions to it and how much you let it stress you.
2. Keep all things in perspective. Being hopeful or optimistic that things will turn out the way they are supposed to can help you get through and keep a healthy state of mind. Some things will not turn out the way you hoped, but you have lived each day in a positive way instead of expecting the worst and spending hours worrying instead of living.
3. When going through a tough time, be sure to lean on whatever social support system you may have: friends, family, co-workers, an organized group you may be part of, our a counselor. Lean on yourself too and love yourself. You can do this.
4. Engage in self-care activities that take care of your mind and body: reading, taking a walk on a beautiful day, sitting on your porch and just enjoying the weather, singing, or whatever else makes you feel good!
Sources: 2021 Live Inspired Calendar
Living Debt Free Webinar
Free Webinar
Is your wallet full of credit cards, but no cash? Are most of your paychecks already spoken for in the way of debt payments by the time payday arrives? Many people are burdened with their monthly obligations - car payments, student loans, medical bills, credit card payments, and so on.
This webinar is an interactive session that teaches how to break the chain of debt to begin enjoying life. The instructors will walk you through the process step by step to begin your journey.
Webinars can be found below the Resource Library under Check Out Our Webinars.
Click here to access the webinar (this link allows you to skip the login page)
Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work
Many district employees have made the choice to take advantage of the vaccinations that have been offered through our very own Health Services.
These vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us having to actually get COVID-19. There are several COVID vaccines available, but our district received Moderna. This vaccine works by giving cells in our body instructions on how to make a harmless protein that is unique to the COVID virus. Our cells make copies of this protein and then destroy the genetic material from the vaccine. Our bodies will recognize that the protein should not be there and will build "memory cells" that will stick around and remember how to fight the virus in the future if it tries to get to you.
After vaccination, it is possible you will experience symptoms. These could include, but are not limited to, fatigue, fever, muscle and body aches, chills, and headache. Soreness, redness, or some swelling may also be present in the arm where you received the shot. These symptoms may vary greatly from person to person. As uncomfortable as it may be, it should be a sign that your body is working hard to build up that immunity for the future.
Moderna requires two vaccine shots. Two weeks after your last shot, you are considered fully vaccinated. It is unclear at this point if and when booster (repeat) shots will be needed.
Source: www.cdc.gov/vaccines
COVID Leave Reminders & Deadlines
Please note the upcoming deadlines on COVID leave:
- COVID leave: COVID leave will continue to be an option through May 31, 2021. Any COVID-related time off after May 31, 2021 will be processed as normal temporary (sick) leave and will not be eligible for COVID leave reimbursement.
- COVID leave paperwork: Paperwork for COVID absences through May 31, 2021 will be accepted through June 30, 2021. Any paperwork received after that date will not be able to be processed. Paperwork can be emailed to covidhotline@usd259.net.
- COVID hotline: The COVID hotline at (316)833-0074 will continue to be operational through May 31, 2021 with the hours that have been present throughout the year. As of June 1, 2021, the phone number will still be operational since we are accepting paperwork through June; however, it will not be answered throughout the day but will be checked for return calls and closed after work hours and on weekends.
If questions arise regarding COVID situations following the expiration of our COVID leave and hotline, reference can be made to the district website and local guideline protocols. Employee Benefits can also be reached at employeebenefits@usd259.net for further assistance.
Employee Benefits & Insurance Management
Danielle Dettmer
Functional Manager
HR/Employee Benefits & Insurance Management
Email: employeebenefits@usd259.net
Website: http://www.usd259.org/HumanResources
Location: 903 South Edgemoor Street, Wichita, KS, USA
Phone: 316-973-4581