U N I V E RSITY OF W ISCONSI N-LA CROSSE E M P LOYE E HAN DBOOK
SECTION H – BENEFITS
The benefits information section of this handbook provides a brief outline of the benefits programs UW-La Crosse offers. This section is intended to serve only as guidelines and is subject to change. Many of the benefit programs UWL offers allow for employees to enroll eligible family members, including spouse, domestic partner, and dependent children. Domestic partner enrollment requires additional documentation. Imputed income tax on the value of the coverage will be applied to some benefit programs provided to a domestic partner. After reading the summaries below, if you have specific questions regarding benefits, please contact Human Resources. MORE INFORMATION:
www.uwlax.edu/human-resources/benefits/benefits-at-a-glance
RETIREMENT H-1 Retirement system (WRS) The Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) provides retirement (pension) benefits to UW System employees and to most public employees across the State of Wisconsin. Any employee who meets the eligibility requirements for coverage under the Wisconsin Retirement System is automatically covered and required to pay any applicable employee contribution towards the WRS. The Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) provides eligible State of Wisconsin employees with a lifetime retirement annuity, unless an individual only qualifies for a lump sum payout or chooses a separation benefit prior to retirement age. MORE INFORMATION:
www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/ret/wrs
H-2 Tax sheltered annuity (TSA) All UWL employees, including student employees, are eligible to participate in the TSA program. Eligible employees can enroll at any time. The TSA program allows UWL employees to make voluntary, pre-tax investments toward retirement under IRS code 403(b). Employees choose an approved taxsheltered annuity vendor and complete a vendor application by contacting the company of choice directly. Then, employees complete a salary reduction agreement form to have a specified dollar amount or percentage of gross pay deducted each pay period. MORE INFORMATION:
www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/ret/tsa
H-3 Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC) All UWL employees, including student employees, are eligible to participate in the WDC program. Eligible employees can enroll at any time. The WDC program is a supplemental retirement savings program authorized under Section 457 of IRS code. Although similar in many respects to the taxsheltered annuity program, the WDC program differs in that it allows participants to begin receiving a distribution of their funds any time after termination of employment or retirement without penalty. MORE INFORMATION:
 
www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/ret/wdc