The Wisconsin Strong: Your Financial Security™ program is coordinated by the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds in collaboration with our Wisconsin Strong partners.
Background: ETF and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions were awarded a one-year grant, funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation, to establish a financial wellness program for state and local government employees, retirees, and their families. The grant is structured as a collaboration between the Center for State and Local Government Excellence, the International Public Management Association for Human Resources, the National Association of State Treasurers Foundation, and Wells Fargo.
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions plays a key role in strengthening Wisconsin's financial future by protecting the safety and soundness of financial institutions, safeguarding the investing public, facilitating commerce, and increasing financial capability throughout the state. DFI administers the Wisconsin Consumer Act and maintains the state's business and organization filings.
The DFI website includes resources for people to make financial literacy a life skill and find information about matters of personal finance and investor protection.
Financial Fitness Group
The Financial Fitness Group offers free financial wellness tools for individuals to complete a secure, online Financial Fitness Checkup and access courses, quizzes, articles, and videos via the Financial Fitness Academy. Both the Checkup and Academy are a part of the Wisconsin Strong Financial Fitness Challenge. It’s easy to use and understand. There’s no confusing financial-speak. And you can learn at your own pace. Take the challenge today!
Summit Credit Union
Summit Credit Union can help you get to know where you're at financially, where you'd like to be, and the steps you need to take to get there. Their program is based on this simple idea: Knowledge puts you in charge of your finances and helps you feel less stressed out and more in control. Get access to all sorts of great Summit resources such as online tools, calculators, and financial education to help you make smart money choices.
America Saves
America Saves, a campaign managed by the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America, motivates, encourages, and supports low- to moderate-income households to save money, reduce debt, and build wealth. The research-based campaign uses the principles of behavioral economics and social marketing to change behavior. Non‐profit, government, and corporate groups participate in America Saves nationally and through local, regional, and statewide campaigns around the country. America Saves encourages individuals to take the America Saves pledge and organizations to promote savings year-round and during America Saves Week.
State of Iowa
The Iowa Insurance Division, in collaboration with the Financial Fitness Group, has offered the Iowa Financial Fitness Challenge to all employers and large affiliate organizations in Iowa. This public service initiative is sponsored and funded by the Iowa Insurance Division at no cost for employers and their employees to access the program.
Wisconsin Deferred Compensation Program
The Wisconsin Deferred Compensation Program is an optional, supplemental retirement savings plan for all working state and university employees. Local government and school district employees may also use the WDC if their employers offer it. The WDC is an Internal Revenue Code Section 457 deferred compensation plan. A 457 deferred compensation plan allows you to save money directly from your paycheck for retirement, and offers tax benefits and different investment options.
The WDC's third-party administrator is Empower Retirement, a division of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, an organization providing financial services throughout the United States.
Edvest (WI 529 plans)
The Edvest College Savings Plan is a state-sponsored, tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan that’s helping families and individuals plan for the cost of higher education. All withdrawals from 529 plans for qualified education expenses remain free from federal income tax. Wisconsin (and most states) mirror the federal rules for state tax purposes. Allowed expenses for higher education include tuition, books, software, computers and related technology, room and board, and some other fees. Elementary and secondary school tuition only, up to $10,000 per beneficiary each year were added as allowed expenses in 2018.
Edvest is administrated by the State of Wisconsin, acting by and through the Edvest College Savings Plan Board. The Direct Plan Manager is TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing Incorporated, or TFI.
Savi
Savi is a social impact technology startup in Washington, D.C. working to solve the student debt crisis by helping borrowers discover new repayment and loan forgiveness options. Founded by long-time student loan experts and advocates, Savi is a public benefit corporation that works with employers, membership organizations, and financial institutions to provide their service as a unique student loan benefit.
Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement
WISER is a nonprofit organization that works to help women, educators and policymakers understand the important issues surrounding women’s retirement income. WISER supports women’s opportunities to secure adequate retirement income through research, programs, and partnerships. WISER has also been the driving force behind a series of state and local events on long-term financial security aimed at leveling the playing field for women.
Money Smart Week
Created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002, Money Smart Week is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. This is achieved through the collaboration and coordinated effort of thousands of organizations across the country including businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies, and the media.