Events and Event Descriptions

Below is information on the offerings during America Saves Week including confidential express credit-check-ups, individual counseling sessions, and live webinars (scroll down to see the webinar topics and descriptions).

Express Credit Check-ups

UW Credit Union

Better understand your finances with an Express Credit Check-up! pdf

During this confidential, no-cost 30-minute appointment, you will meet virtually with a UW Credit Union financial specialist to review your credit report and discuss your financial goals. An Express Credit Check-up is tailored specifically to your needs, from understanding your credit score to exploring opportunities to save money.

The financial experts can help you:

  • Learn how to improve or maintain your credit score
  • Find ways to save money
  • Build confidence in your finances

To verify your identity, have your ID readily available (such as your driver’s license or government issued photo ID). Also, decide if you want the financial expert to retrieve your credit score. Note: If you have a freeze on your credit, you will need to unfreeze it through Experian prior to your appointment so your credit can be retrieved.

Individual Counseling Sessions

Fidelity Counseling Sessions (403(b) Program)

One-on-one counseling sessions are confidential, free, and available to employees eligible for the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP). Counseling sessions are available to all employees and do not require you to open an account. Sessions are generally 30-45 minutes, depending on location.

TIAA Counseling Sessions (403(b) Program)

One-on-one counseling sessions are confidential, free, and available to employees eligible for the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP). Counseling sessions are available to all employees and do not require you open an account. Sessions are generally 45-60 minutes, depending on location.

Empower Counseling Sessions (WDC 457 Program)

Schedule a meeting with a Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC) 457 Program Retirement Plan Advisor to discuss topics like your asset allocation, savings rate, planned retirement age, retirement income needs, and how they all work together to create your retirement readiness.

acentra health legal & financial consultations

Call the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to initiate a legal or financial consultation with an attorney or financial expert. 30-minute one-on-one consultations are confidential, free, and available to all employees and household family members.

Webinars

Webinars are available systemwide. Click on the title of the event to jump to the description below.

Webinars Descriptions

build good credit and improve your credit score

This session will explore the significant impact of consumer debt on both society and individuals. You will learn the importance of maintaining good credit and discover practical steps to improve your credit score. Join this session to gain the financial knowledge to help you secure a stronger financial future.

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build smart financial habits for success

Start your career or reset your money mindset with a solid financial foundation. This session will walk you through five essential building blocks of smart money management to help you feel more confident and in control. You will learn how to set SMART financial goals, create a realistic spending plan, understand how much to save versus spend, prepare for emergency expenses, and build long-term financial habits that stick.

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build your own spending plan workshop

This session covers the essentials of building and sticking to your own spending plan. You will learn tips and strategies for creating a plan that aligns with your personal financial goals.

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create a budget and build emergency savings

This session will help you set up two of the most important building blocks for financial stability, your budget and your emergency savings.

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discovering your purpose in retirement

Retirement isn’t the end of your story; it’s the beginning of your next chapter! Through heartfelt stories and actionable strategies, this session will help you reconnect with your core values, redefine success for life after work, and create a legacy that reflects who you truly are.

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First time home buyers

Buying a home is a major life and financial milestone. Join this session to learn from home buying experts about preparing for your home search, exploring different loan options, understanding the mortgage process, and managing your budget and costs prior to and after purchasing your home.

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invest in your future: UW 403(B) PROGRAM introduction

Learn how the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program can help you save for your future.

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path to financial wellness

Financial wellness is about having enough money, feeling confident, and in control! This session will address four key pillars of financial wellness that can help you manage your money today while also preparing for tomorrow. You will gain knowledge about how to make informed financial decisions to create lasting financial stability.

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planning a financial future

Being financially savvy is essential for building wealth, managing savings, making smart investments, and preparing for economic uncertainties. This session will explain how to assess your future financial needs, how inflation impacts buying power, how to create a personalized savings plan, and the importance of investing.

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planning for life milestones

Life milestones can impact your long-term financial well-being. This session will help you financially plan for key milestones. You will gain insights about how life events like marriage, purchasing a home, divorce, or loss of a loved one can impact your long-term financial goals. You will also learn how to handle the financial implications of these milestones without derailing your retirement savings. Join this webinar to help you learn how to manage your finances during times of transition.

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Saving for Higher Education with an edvest 529 Plan

Setting a higher education savings goal and developing a strategy early can fit within a well-planned household budget. Join this webinar to learn about the benefits of saving for higher education with an Edvest 529 Plan. Edvest is a state-sponsored, tax-advantaged 529 savings plan that can help you save for the cost of higher education. Funds can be used to help cover the cost of tuition, apprenticeships, room and board, books, supplies, computers, technology, and/or student loan debt.

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spend smarter, save better: Financial mindfulness

Ever feel like money slips through your fingers without knowing where it goes? This session will teach you how to take control of your spending. Learn how to identify impulse triggers, create a no-buy list, separate spending money, and implement a zero-sum budget that works for you. This session will share mindful money habits that reduce stress, align with your goals, and help you celebrate small financial wins along the way.

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tackle debt and understand your credit score

This session will teach you about different strategies to tackle your debt and understand your credit score.

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Using credit wisely

This session will highlight why credit matters and how it impacts financial opportunities. You will learn practical strategies for building credit from the ground up and managing it responsibly over time. This session will help you feel confident navigating and maintaining healthy credit.

wdc: your journey to retirement

The Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC) 457 Program is a supplemental retirement program that allows you to invest a portion of your income on a pre-tax and/or after-tax (Roth) basis. Join this webinar to learn about how the WDC can help you reach your retirement savings goals!

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WRS: How to use ETF’s online retirement calculator

This webinar will help you understand your ETF Statement of Benefits and walk you through how to use ETF’s online retirement calculator so you can see an unofficial estimate of how much money you will receive from your WRS benefit during retirement.

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WRS: preparing for your retirement

Are you planning to retire within the next five years? If so, register for this webinar to learn about your WRS benefits, the retirement process and the annuity options, and how your health and life insurance benefits will change in retirement.

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Updated: 03/19/2026