Sharing the Joy this Holiday Season

The holidays are a joyful occasion for many of us. However, it is also a great opportunity to give thanks for what you have and give back to help those less fortunate. The holidays can be difficult for people experiencing financial difficulties or who may not have a support system…
Plant growing from coin jar

Pre-tax v. Post-tax Roth 403(b) Contributions

As a GW employee, you are eligible to contribute to the university’s 403(b) Retirement Plan. You may choose to contribute a percentage of your pay either pre-tax or post-tax Roth or both to your account. The main difference between the two options is when you pay taxes on those contributions:…
A modern white keyboard with blue colored save money button. Save money keyboard button has an icon and text on itself.

America Saves Week

America Saves Week, February 21 – 25, 2022, is a national effort to motivate, support and encourage us to set savings’ goals, make a savings plan, and use automatic contributions to support those plans. Each day of American Saves Week focuses on areas of financially resiliency, which includes being conscious of your…

Topic 4: 1095-C Tax Form

If eligible, you may have received a tax document, Form 1095-C that reports information about your medical coverage in 2019. While you will not need to include your 1095-C with your 2019 tax return filing, or send it to the IRS, you may need information from your 1095-C to help…
Financial and Mental Health are important parts of your overall wellbing

Health Care FSA Deadline

If you have a 2019 Health Care Flexible Savings Account (HCFSA) balance, be sure to spend any remaining dollars by March 15, 2020 – remember, these accounts are “use or lose” so you won’t want to miss this important deadline. You may be surprised that even simple items like first…

America Saves Week: Take the Pledge

America Saves Week is an annual initiative and call to action for everyday Americans to commit to saving successfully. Take less than 5 minutes today to be inspired by the following short videos that show how everyday habits can help you prepare for retirement and unexpected events while also teaching…
Stacked coins, with plants sprouting out of them

Retirement and Financial Wellbeing Fair – November 12, 2019

Mark Your Calendars: Retirement and Financial Wellbeing Fair Join us Tuesday, November 12 for the bi-annual Financial Wellbeing and Retirement Fair at the Foggy Bottom campus.  One-hour sessions are curated for all employees, regardless of your financial or career stage. Being empowered to chart your financial journey not only rewards…

Upcoming Financial Wellbeing Webinars and Helpful Tools

Americans are living longer than ever before, resulting in lengthy retirements. Start planning for your future today to ensure you’ve thought through expenses – both planned and unplanned.  Our retirement providers, Fidelity and TIAA get the conversation (and thinking) started with the following webinars: A sample of TIAA webinars offered…

How To Invest Your HSA

If you are enrolled in a high deductible health care plan, an HSA is a tax-advantage medical savings tool that is designed to help you pay for current eligible health care costs and help you save for future medical expenses.  There are unique benefits of an HSA, including the fact…

Beneficiary Reminder

Please take a few minutes this month to review your beneficiaries for your retirement savings plan, life insurance and Health Savings Account (HSA). In the event of your death, benefits would be paid according to state law and/or plan rules, which might be different from the designation you would choose.…

Join Us at the Retirement Education and Financial Wellness Fair

Annual check-ups aren’t just for your health.  Your financial health also requires regular care and attention to ensure that you are effectively managing debt, preparing for life events like buying your first home and meeting retirement goals. GW Benefits  is pleased to provide the following support: Our biannual Retirement and…

Top 8 Ways to Save For Retirement

Financial security in retirement takes planning and commitment and yes, money. Start saving and keep saving It’s never too early or too late to start saving for retirement. If you are already saving, keep going! If you aren’t, it’s time to start. Start small if you have to, increasing the…
Human hand holding piggy bank

Fidelity Reduces Index Fund fees

Fidelity recently made changes to two funds available in the GW retirement plans with the goal of providing investors with additional value and simplicity.   On August 1st, Fidelity reduced the expense ratios on the Fidelity 500 (FXSIX) and the Fidelity US Bond (FSITX) Index funds. GW plan participants with…
Plant growing from coin jar

Two Investment Options Will Be Replaced in the GW Retirement Plans

The investment options in the GW retirement plans (the George Washington University Retirement Plan for Faculty and Staff and the George Washington University Supplemental Retirement Plan) are regularly monitored by the plans’ Retirement Plan Investment Committee, with the assistance of an outside investment consultant. From time to time, the committee…
One gold and two ordinary eggs in the hay nest on light wooden bacground

When is the Best Time to Retire?

Many people are staying longer in the workforce to build a large enough nest egg to be comfortable in retirement. The average retirement age has risen steadily since 1985, to almost 65 for men and 62 for women in 2015. So how can you tell when it’s the best time…
VSTC Retirement Education and Financial Wellness Fair, July 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Enterprise Hall, 1st Floor

VSTC Retirement Education & Financial Wellness Fair

What: A half-day event filled with retirement and financial wellness workshops and individual support from GW Benefits, Fidelity, TIAA, Via Benefits and Legal Resources. When: Tuesday, July 17, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Enterprise Hall, 1st Floor Brush up on your financial knowledge with the Retirement Education…
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Seven Ways to Give Your Finances a Spring Cleaning

The annual clean is a favorite rite of spring, but have you considered adding to that list: dusting off your finances? Get your financial house in order this year with these tips. 1. Keep tabs on your credit report. Credit reports can affect your mortgage rates, credit card approvals and…