Resources

Eldercare Workshop

Are you a caregiver for an adult family member or do you anticipate being in this role? Register for the UW Retirement Association's Eldercare Workshop to gain a valuable overview for addressing the issues involved. This six-hour workshop, led by former Seattle Times columnist Liz Taylor, will offer practical guidance and resources, including a workbook. The cost is $85 per person or $150 for two family members attending together.

Saturday, September 13
10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
UW Seattle campus
Register by September 5

Questions? Contact UWRA at 206-543-8600 or by email at retiremt@u.washington.edu

Meet the Charities

Faculty and staff are invited to attend this inspirational series of free monthly workshops to hear how giving and volunteers have made a positive impact on each charity's mission.

Women's Funding Alliance & Passages Northwest

Learn how the Women's Funding Alliance strengthens communities by investing in organizations that support women and girls, and how Passages Northwest educates and motivates girls to develop leadership and courage by exploring the natural environment and arts.

Tuesday, August 26
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Smith Hall 115
Registration recommended

Northwest Harvest

Northwest Harvest strives to be the most efficient hunger response program in the state of Washington, with more than 93% of their budget going directly to food distribution. Hear how they operate, who they feed, and how you can volunteer.

Tuesday, September 16
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Smith Hall 105
Registration recommended

Source: UW Combined Fund Drive (UWCFD)

Benefits & WorkLife Update informs University of Washington faculty and staff of current news and events surrounding Benefits and WorkLife programs. It is published on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Comments and suggestions may be addressed to the editor at benefits@u.washington.edu

To see past issues, click here.

Growing Your Retirement Nest Egg

Do you want to know more about setting sound financial goals and making your money work for you? Learn to maximize your retirement and savings through one of the free, one-hour seminars described below.

Achieving a Sound Retirement
This seminar is for individuals who are five to ten years from retirement and actively managing their personal savings goals. Topics include identifying retirement expenses, creating a financial plan, building wealth through tax-advantaged accounts, consolidating accounts, and more. Offered August 28 and 29. Register here.

A Woman's Money, A Woman's Future
This seminar focuses on key aspects of managing one’s finances while incorporating issues that are of particular interest to women including evaluating your financial health, setting goals, and implementing a plan. Offered September 10 and 16. Register here.

Estate Planning—Where to Begin
This seminar covers fundamental estate planning including the seven steps to estate planning, the importance of having a will, how estate and gift taxes work, and simple estate planning strategies to help you reduce your tax liability. Offered September 10, 12, and 16. Register here.

5 Habits of Highly Successful Investors
Learn fundamental strategies of investing to help set financial goals, realize tax advantages, reduce your risk, and more. Offered September 10, 12, and 16. Register here.

Save for Tomorrow, Live for Today
What are the principles of disciplined investing? Learn how you can manage your investments by saving early, taking advantage of tax savings, and proper asset allocation. Offered September 12. Register here.

DRS Retirement Planning Seminar

Are you a Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) member who's planning to retire within the next five years? If so, register to attend the Retirement Planning Seminar. Sponsored by DRS, this seminar is designed to provide you with a broad range of information about Social Security, VEBA (Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association), health insurance, deferred compensation and your pension during retirement.

A confirmation letter, including location, map, and directions, will be sent to registrants two weeks before the seminar.

Source: Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)

Retirement Plan Check-ups

How much have you socked away for retirement? How much more do you need to save? Representatives from our four fund sponsors are available to meet with you and your spouse—either by phone or in person—to provide general investment information, discuss your savings objectives, or review an existing account.

To schedule your free, in-person appointment with Calvert, Fidelity, TIAA-CREF or Vanguard:

Check our events calendar to find dates on which a fund sponsor will be coming to a location near you.
Note: These are shown as "appt" on the calendar.
Contact a representative of your choice to schedule your free appointment.

Balancing Your Work & Life

College Admissions 101: An Overview for Parents of Teens

The college admissions process has undoubtedly changed since you were in high school. Whether your teen is in middle school or high school, it’s never too early to find out about current college admissions procedures.

Join our UW Admissions officer for a discussion on college readiness, choice and admissions, and how to best support your student’s progress through this significant path. This workshop is offered at three locations:

Register here.

UW CareLink Publications

Check out this quarter’s Balance, the quarterly newsletter published by UW CareLink, UW’s faculty and staff assistance program. It's filled with useful and timely information covering today’s work and life issues such as aging, parenting, time management, and coworker conflicts. See UW CareLink publications.

Family Caregiver Network

Summer visits with family may expose concerns about elder family members. Bring your questions and concerns to Family Caregiver Network meetings and gather information and ideas form others in similar situations.

Hometown Home Loan Program

Budgeting for a Home

Should you pay off debt or save for a down payment on a new home? Learn how to set realistic goals and tips for saving. Whether you are buying your first home or want advice on using home equity or refinancing, Affinity Loan Officers are on campus each month to offer educational seminars at no cost.

Prequalification Appointments

Get your mortgage questions answered! Free half-hour pre-qualification appointments, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., monthly at Seattle and quarterly at Bothell, Tacoma, and Harborview. Contact the Affinity Lending Center at 206-628-0207 to schedule an appointment.

The Hometown Home Loan Program offers reduced fees on mortgages for University of Washington employees buying or refinancing anywhere in the Puget Sound region. All benefits-eligible UW faculty and staff members may apply. Learn more.

UW Discount Program

Computer and Laptop Savings

Whether you are shopping for back to school supplies or in need of an upgrade, the UW discount program provides great options from a variety of retailers on desktops, laptops, personal digital assistants (a.k.a. "PDAs"), and much more!

Go to UW Discounts and click "View the Discounts." Sign into the SmartSavings website with your UW NetID and password to find great savings.

The discount program is available to all UW faculty, staff, students, and retirees. Questions or suggestions may be directed to worklife@u.washington.edu.

Contents