Author: Sara McIntyre

Justin Pierce with TIAA will be on campus for employee meetings Oct. 28, Nov. 12 and Dec. 1. All meetings will be by appointment in 257 Rhatigan Student Center, Ashton/Bridges Room.

Those interested can schedule a meeting with Justin. For questions, you can also contact Justin by email at justin.pierce@tiaa.org.

Our Kansas Board of Regents 403(b) retirement plan providers, TIAA and VOYA, are offering several webinar learning opportunities in October. See below for registration details on upcoming webinars:

TIAA:

11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6: “What no one ever told you about job pay and benefits” – Landing your first job can be exciting, and intimidating. Between tax deductions, insurance elections and retirement plans, your first paycheck might be smaller than expected. This session breaks down what’s actually on your paystub and why your benefits matter more than you think.

In this webinar, you’ll learn:

• How to understand your paycheck and what’s being withheld
• The difference between gross pay and net pay
• How employer benefits (like 401(k), health insurance, and HSAs) factor into your total compensation
• Smart questions to ask during onboarding
• How to make the most of your benefits from day one

Whether you’re starting a new job or simply want to make more confident decisions, this session will help give you the clarity you need. 

11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14: “Quarter economic and market update” – Hear from the experts in the Wealth Chief Investment Office about key drivers of the markets and economy that are impacting investors.

We’ll share views on:

• The state of the U.S. economy and key market drivers
• Factors influencing market volatility
• Investing in public markets

10 am. Wednesday, Oct. 21: “What is an annuity? Know the basics” – Annuities have been around for more than 2,000 years. But many people don’t know much about them. We’re going to talk about today’s annuities, what makes them unique and how they can help provide financial security for life as part of a long-term financial plan.

This webinar covers:

• What an annuity is and how it works
• Financial risks in retirement
• How annuities help address those risks
• Annuity myths and the real story behind them 

VOYA Financial

9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Oct. 13 and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 27: “Think before you click: Protecting yourself from financial cyber scams” – The best defense against cyber fraud isn’t being a technology expert. It’s knowing how to recognize warning signs, pause before reacting, verify before acting and protect the information that matters most. Learn how to recognize common threats, understand the role cybersecurity plays in protecting you financially and discover strategies to help keep your accounts and personal information secure.

9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27: “Healthcare in retirement” – Rising healthcare costs continue to be a concern. Planning for healthcare expenses in retirement is essential with today’s longer lifespans and gaps in Medicare and insurance coverage. This session will walk through cost issues and coverage options, stressing the value of a holistic retirement plan that factors in healthcare needs.

 

Tuition Assistance applications for spring 2027 are being accepted through the Online Application Form. The online application will be available through the end of the business day on Jan. 6, 2027, and will close at the end of this application period.

Due to the volume of applications received each semester, requests to submit late applications will be automatically denied. There will be no exceptions.

Full program details can be found at wichita.edu/tuitionassistance.

Questions may be directed to TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.

Some KPERS members have reported receiving emails from individuals or entities claiming to offer a “free pension review” or “retirement benefit calculation.”

These emails may ask for you to click a link or open an attachment and then schedule a video meeting. During the call, a “bad actor” will ask for personal details (including your full name, your spouse’s name, your date of birth, where you work or other info). As a reminder, please do not share your personal information with any individual until you have verified their services and qualifications.

What you need to know

KPERS’ systems and data were not compromised. Members and employers can be confident in their ability to conduct business with the KPERS Retirement System.

KPERS will only contact you from email addresses ending in “@kspers.gov.” The KPERS 457 retirement plan advisors have email addresses that end in “@empower.com.”

KPERS will not:

• Email you out of the blue to schedule a retirement plan review. KPERS does not have member email addresses unless you have provided one in your online account.
• Ask you to join a video call without you first requesting a meeting from KPERS, nor will they ask you to join a video call with someone outside of KPERS to discuss your benefits.
• Ask for your personal details including date of birth, salary or spouse’s information without you first engaging with KPERS staff. This could be through you personally contacting their InfoLine, emailing Benefits and Member Services or submitting a retirement or withdrawal application that needs more info.

Keep in mind, KPERS does host quarterly pre-retirement webinars and biannual in-person seminars across the state. You will receive information about these events through WSU Today or from Total Rewards.

If you have received an email that you believe is phishing or fraudulent, or if you have already shared your information and are concerned, contact the KPERS InfoLine at 1-888-275-5737. KPERS staff are here to help, and there’s never any harm in checking with them first at kpers@kspers.gov or 1-888-275-5737.

Be alert for potential scams

• If you believe an email is phishing or fraudulent, report those emails as phishing to ITS.
• Do not click links or open attachments in emails that appear to be phishing or fraudulent.
• Do not give out your personal information (or your spouse’s information) to someone with whom you did not personally engage or initiate a conversation.
• Check the email address and URLs in all correspondence. Scammers often mimic a legitimate site or email address by using a slight variation in spelling.
• If an unsolicited text message or email asks you to update, check or verify your account information, do not follow the link provided in the message itself or call the phone numbers provided in the message. Go to the company’s website to log in to your account or call the phone number listed on the official website to verify if something needs your attention.
• Do not open any attachments unless you are expecting the file, document or invoice and have verified the sender’s email address.
• Be suspicious of any message that urges immediate action.

TIAA financial consultant, Paul Eiting, will be on campus Sept. 15 and 16 to meet with employees in the Rhatigan Student Center. These one-on-one sessions are by appointment only. You can schedule to meet with Paul through tiaa.org/schedulenow or by calling 800-842-2252. 

Life is full of uncertainties, but your financial future doesn’t have to be. Join Justin Eslick, VP, wealth management advisor with TIAA from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room, for an insightful session on common estate planning strategies, as he walks you through the essential building blocks of a solid estate plan.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to fine-tune an existing plan, you’ll learn how to prepare for healthcare and financial decisions in case you’re ever unable to make them yourself, and whether lifetime gifts to loved ones or charitable causes should play a role in your strategy. You’ll also discover the right questions to ask your attorney, get familiar with the core documents every estate plan should include, and understand why asset ownership and beneficiary designations matter more than you might think — plus how to evaluate your potential exposure to estate taxes.

KPERS 457 is offering webinar learning opportunities in August. See below for registration details on upcoming webinars:

1 p.m. Aug. 25: “Get ON TARGET for Retirement” – Let your RPA take off your blindfold and help you improve your aim. We can’t guarantee a bullseye, but your local RPA can help you point your deferred compensation dart in the right direction.

11 a.m. Aug. 27: “Benefits of Enrolling“

Here is an introduction to KPERS 457. Get the basics and learn how saving with KPERS 457 can help you reach a sound retirement.

Topics covered:

• Making a plan
• Plan features and highlights
• How to enroll
• What rules apply to Roth 457

Our Kansas Board of Regents 403(b) retirement plan providers, TIAA and VOYA, are offering several webinar learning opportunities in August. See below for registration details on upcoming webinars:

TIAA:

11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6: “Live long and prosper: Your guide to understanding longevity” – Longevity is a gift. But as life-prolonging medical advancements proliferate, how can you improve not just the length of your life, but also the extent of your health and wealth? During this webinar, learn about:

• Challenges and opportunities associated with increased longevity
• How longevity literacy affects retirement planning and saving decisions
• Actions for maintaining an aging population’s health, wealth and happiness

10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18: “Take control of your financial life: 5 steps to save money and manage debt” – Learn how to manage money, uncover how to set goals, balance your budget and use debt wisely. With the know-how you need and a little determination, you can put yourself on the path to greater lifelong financial security.

In this webinar you’ll learn how to:

• Set your goals
• Know your spending
• Create a plan
• Manage credit and debt
• Practice healthy money habits

VOYA Financial:

9 a.m./1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11 and 11 a.m./2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25: “Foundations of Financial Wellness” – Understand the pillars of financial wellness, learn how to identify your priorities and discover your next step to achieving holistic financial wellness.

9 a.m./1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25: “Debt management and budgeting strategies” – Learn how to understand and manage debt, build a realistic budget, and use practical strategies to reduce expenses and help improve your overall financial stability.

Justin Pierce, TIAA financial consultant, will be available for in-person meetings July 14 and 15 in 102 Woolsey Hall. Those interested can schedule a meeting with Pierce. For questions, you can also contact Pierce by email at justin.pierce@tiaa.org.

Our Kansas Board of Regents 403(b) retirement plan providers, TIAA and VOYA, are offering several webinar learning opportunities in July. See below for registration details on upcoming webinars:

TIAA:

• 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 7: Investing for beginners: Start your wealth journey – Investing isn’t just for the wealthy, it’s for everyone. Even small, consistent contributions can grow significantly over time. In this session, we’ll walk you through the fundamentals to help you start investing with confidence.
• 11 a.m. Thursday, July 9: Quarterly economic and market update – Hear from our experts in our Wealth Chief Investment Office about key drivers of the markets and economy that are impacting investors. 
• 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 22: Steps to help secure your income in retirement: a mid-career check-in – Only 34% of non-retirees think their retirement savings plan is currently on track. A check-in at this stage of your career can help you take action now to set yourself up for greater financial security later.

VOYA Financial:

• 9 a.m./1 p.m. Tuesday, July 7: 6 tips for a mid-year check-in – Get six easy tips to keep your finances on track for the year.
• 11 a.m./2 p.m. Tuesday, July 21: 6 tips for a mid-year check-in – Get six easy tips to keep your finances on track for the year.