Participating in a program to learn more about financial management (multi-week program, attending at least 85% of sessions over a minimum of 8 weeks) is necessary to be eligible for this incentive. You must complete an attestation form in HCM by Nov. 30 to earn the incentive.
Why is this Important?
Financial health is an important component of well-being. Research supports a link between financial savings and healthy lifestyle habits as well as an association between better health and less health care expense. Taking an active role in managing finances is associated with less stress, increased feelings of security, and greater financial confidence. Gallup studies have found that financial security has a more significant impact than does income alone on employee well-being.
​​Want to know more?
Financial Wellness
Spring 2025 Series
With rising interest rates and dramatic price increases for daily living expenses, it has never been more important to learn how to become more financially savvy. Karen W. Braun, CPA, PhD, and former Professor of Accountancy at WSOM, is offering 12 sessions on Financial Wellness this winter/spring with new and updated content. Susan Fee, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Financial Therapist, will begin the series with two new programs.
This program is open to any benefits-eligible faculty or staff member. Participants in ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½'s Wellness Program who attend or view at least 7 of these sessions may attest for the Financial Well-Being program incentive, but employees are welcome and encouraged to attend/view as many as they would like.
Wednesdays, Jan. 15 - April 23, from 12-1 pm via Zoom
Jan. 15 - Money Stories: Creating a Healthy Relationship with Money (Susan Fee, MEd, LPCC (V))
Jan. 22 - Coping Skills to Manage Financial Stress (Susan Fee, MEd, LPCC (V))
Jan. 29 - The Essentials of Individual Taxation (Karen Braun, PhD)
Feb. 5 - No Class
Feb. 12 - Using Personal Budgets to Build Savings (Karen Braun, PhD)
Feb. 19 - Investing I: The Nuts and Bolts (Karen Braun, PhD)
Feb. 25 - Investing II: Stock Market Investments (Karen Braun, PhD)
March 5 - Investing III: Fixed Income and Cash Investments (Karen Braun, PhD)
March 12 - What You Should Know About Social Security (Karen Braun, PhD)
March 19 - Retirement Savings: Planning for the Golden Years (Karen Braun, PhD)
March 26 - Managing Debt: The Good and The Bad (Karen Braun, PhD)
April 2 - How to Protect and Improve Your Credit Score (Karen Braun, PhD)
April 9 - Home, Vehicles, and Credit Cards (Karen Braun, PhD)
April 16 - Insurance: Financial Protection in the Event of Loss (Karen Braun, PhD)
April 23 - Estate Planning Essentials (Karen Braun, PhD)
Fall 2024 Series
Aug. 14 - Using Personal Budgets to Build Savings
Aug. 21 - Investing I: The Nuts and Bolts -
Aug. 28 - Investing II: Stock Market Investments -
Sept. 4 - NO CLASS
Sept. 11 - Investing III: Fixed Income and Cash Investments -
Sept. 18 - What You Should Know About Social Security
Sept. 25 - Retirement Savings: Planning for the Golden Years
Oct. 2 - Managing Debt: The Good and The Bad ()
Oct. 9 - How to Protect and Improve Your Credit Score
Oct. 16 - Vehicles and Credit Cards ()
Oct. 23 - Estate Planning Essentials ()
Oct. 30 - Life and Disability Insurance ()
Nov. 6 - Making Sense of Health Insurance ()
Nov. 13 - Property, Casualty, and Liability Insurance
Nov. 20 - The Essentials of Individual Taxation ()
Upcoming Finance Webinars
Our retirement partners at TIAA and Vanguard offer free webinars for all faculty and staff.
TIAA Webinars
To Register for TIAA webinars:
- Visit
- Under Guest Access click Register for Guest access
- Enter first name, last name, Email and a password of their choice
- You will be taken directly into the Live Webinar Lounge where you can register for the webinar and add it to their calendar
Vanguard Webinars
Remember, these webinars are free to all faculty and staff, regardless of your retirement savings provider.
Upcoming Individual Counseling Sessions
Register for a one-on-one session with your rep. See upcoming dates for individual counseling with TIAA and Vanguard on the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Benefits website.
Financial Well-being Resources
Our financial wellness instructor, Karen Braun, recommends these online resources for reputable financial information: