Key Financial Data 2026 sheet
Get your free printable PDF with valuable financial data to help with your fiscal planning in 2026. This informational sheet provides at-a-glance numbers for:
- This year’s tax rate schedule, credits, and deductions.
- Retirement plan contribution limits.
- Social Security benefits and tax brackets.
- Medicare premiums.
- And more.
Visit weabenefits.com/kfd to get your copy.
Mixing love and money
Many people in committed relationships sometimes underestimate the impact financial decisions can have on their partnership, their family, and their financial future. In fact, most couples don’t discuss their finances on a regular basis, which can lead to personal misunderstandings and resentments. Further, it can prevent people from making informed choices about their finances.
Communication is the key to making good financial decisions that will benefit you both in the long run. When people’s feelings and concerns are heard, it’s easier to move forward with a concrete plan.
Failure to communicate about finances can contribute to most of the relationship conflict between couples.
If you’ve been avoiding the money issue in your relationship, here’s why you should make the move to start a financial conversation with your partner.
Common cause of conflict
Time, plus social and economic changes, have affected how we define “family,” which can get complicated. We’re contributing more financial baggage than ever to our relationships, including credit card debt, student loans, mortgages, and other investments. This can make things seem overwhelming and hamper the financial conversation.
But even if your baggage is light, the money issue often weighs heavy. A 2025 Harris poll found that 85% of Americans are worried about money. Nearly half (46%) are losing sleep over money worries.
Also in 2025, a Talker Research survey found:
- One in three Americans are uncomfortable discussing finances in their relationship. Of those, almost half (44%) worried that discussing finances in their relationship will lead to disagreements. In fact, the average couple has 58 money related arguments per year.
- One-third (32%) of respondents stated they have different ideas from their partner on how much to spend and save.
- Four in five (82%) Americans surveyed believe couples having a similar philosophy about money is key for a healthy relationship. However, only 69% said they have a similar financial philosophy to their partner.
- Arguments were most likely about differing opinions of “needs” vs. “wants.”
Failure to communicate about finances can contribute to most of the relationship conflict between couples.
The meaning of money
Money doesn’t have meaning; we assign meaning to money. Our personal relationship with it is forged early in life. Childhood experiences, education, how our parents handled finances, and our financial and social status influence our views about it.
That means two people often come into a relationship with different ideas about what money represents and how it should be used. What defines a “good” financial decision depends on a person’s unique values and viewpoint.
Start a conversation
If we don’t have serious conversations about money, we won’t understand each other’s perspectives on the topic. And that’s an important first step to take before you can make a plan.
Open, honest communication is just as important with finances as any other partnership decision, whether it’s buying a house, changing jobs, or having children. If you’re not talking finances and feel stressed about it, you may find that once you acknowledge the obvious, it won’t seem so overwhelming. Being open, honest, and clear about monetary expectations may help prevent small issues from turning into big resentments.
Use the questions in the Financial conversation starters document to help you start a conversation, then…
Make a plan
- Decide who should handle the finances.
- Determine whether you will have separate or joint accounts.
- Work out who will pay what and how much. Make sure both of you are happy with the plan.
- Develop a strategy to balance saving against spending.
- Agree upon some short-term and long-term financial goals.
- Set rules on when you need to discuss a purchase together.
- Create a written budget and revisit it every year. One option is to use our free budget sheet.
Remember, what works for one couple won’t necessarily work for another. Find a plan that fits you both. And make time to talk together on a regular basis.
Your financial road map
Every member financially secure
Even when things seem uncertain, Member Benefits’ vision for our members can provide a solid path designed to help secure your future.
Learn what we offer you for saving for retirement, protecting your assets, and getting financial advice and assistance. Then read on for how we are here to help you at every stage of your career.
Start here today to prepare for your tomorrow
When it comes time to retire, the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) and Social Security may not be enough. Contributing to a 403(b) through your employer, even if you start with a small amount, can make a significant difference in how you might live in retirement.
Member Benefits offers our low-cost 403(b) in 98% of the public schools in Wisconsin. If your employer offers a match, make sure you contribute enough to receive the full available matching amount.
For an additional savings opportunity, our IRA program is a great way to increase your retirement savings and take advantage of tax benefits. Your family members may qualify as well.*
Protect your family and secure your assets
The role insurance plays in your financial security is often misunderstood. Your home and vehicles are big investments. Focusing on the cheapest insurance may leave you at a greater risk than you realize. Instead, you need to make sure you are properly insured to help protect yourself and your family.
Member Benefits created insurance with unique features and coverages you’re unlikely to find elsewhere that may better meet your needs as a public school employee.
Our personal insurance consultants can review your current coverage and make recommendations to fit your needs, whether or not you choose us.
Get advice and assistance
Finances can be complicated, but Member Benefits offers you expert information and support. We can help you with a specific topic or create a comprehensive financial plan, whether you are just starting your career or planning your retirement.
Get help with strategizing retirement, investing, budgeting, and much more with our financial coaching and advice options.
For our 403(b) account holders, we offer a free, interactive wealth management tool called eMoney that includes strategic advice from our financial advisors.
You don’t have to figure everything out yourself. Turn to us for help and advice.
We’re here for you along the entire journey
The guidance we provide public school employees can help you get to and through retirement. It’s not just for when you’re working. Even if you change jobs, you can stick with us as long as you maintain your accounts or policies.
Even better, your family members qualify for many of our programs! If eligible, they can take advantage of:
- Roth and traditional IRA: Available in select states
- Financial planning: Available in Wisconsin
- Auto/home insurance: Available in Wisconsin
- Life insurance: Available nationwide
- Long-term care insurance: Available nationwide
- Medicare Supplement insurance: Available nationwide
Contact us for more information on these programs or for questions about any products or services we offer.
1-800-279-4030
Don’t get reeled in by phishing scams
Have you ever received an email like this? This is just one example of many common phishing emails that tend to make the rounds. Most of us have received more than one—in fact, over 162 billion spam emails like this are sent every day.
Phishing is a scam in which a person uses fake emails, texts, and/or phone calls to try to get you to share valuable information such as your Social Security number, account numbers, or user names and passwords. Once they have this information, they may steal your money, your identity, or both. They may also try to access your computer or network by installing ransomware or other programs after you’ve clicked a link in one of their emails or texts. These programs can lock you out of your computer and allow thieves to steal your personal information.
Don’t take the bait
There are a few common tactics you can watch out for that scammers use to try and entice you to hand over your personal information.
Familiarity. Using familiar company names, or pretending to be someone you know, is known as email spoofing. The email appears to be from a trustworthy source, like a legitimate company, family, friend, or even coworker, and lends the recipient a false sense of security that makes them more likely to open files and click on links.
Website spoofing is often used in concert with the fake email by linking it to a website that looks legitimate, but isn’t. When the user goes to the site, they may be asked for sensitive financial or login information. These fraudulent websites may also contain malicious code that ends up on the user’s computer.
Timing. Attackers often take advantage of current events and certain times of the year, such as natural disasters, health scares, major political elections, and holidays.
Attention. Attracting your attention with lucrative offers or eye-catching statements is another common tactic. For example, a message may claim you just won an iPhone, gift, or large amount of money. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Enticement. Scammers will try to encourage you to click on a link or open an attachment. They often tell a story to trick you by claiming they’ve noticed suspicious activity, such as stating there’s a problem with your account, directing you to make a payment, or announcing you’re eligible for a refund.
Limited time only. Phishers rely on urgency to increase the odds of pressuring you to ACT NOW and quickly hand over your sensitive information. A legitimate website for a bank, credit card company, or other organization isn’t going to have an air of desperation about it by posting urgent messages on their website. If you see this on a site you visit, double check the URL to make sure you’re actually in the right place.
Avoid getting hooked
- Stay vigilant and be wary of unsolicited requests for your personal information online, by email, or by phone.
- Do not share any user names, account numbers, or passwords with anyone, and don’t use the same password across accounts.
- Never trust alarming emails, and don’t open attachments from strange emails you may receive.
- Use security software on your computer and keep it up to date.
- Set your mobile phone software to update automatically so you don’t miss critical updates that protect against security threats.
- Use two-factor authentication on all accounts that offer it—besides using a password, you also add a second step like a fingerprint or special code. This makes it harder for scammers to log in to your accounts if they do get your user name and password.
- Back up your data someplace not connected to your home network, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage site.
- Unsure about a link to a website? Look the business up separately online and call them directly, telling them about the message you received. Your bank, for example, will never ask you to send your password or personal information by mail or email.
- While not a guarantee of a website’s legitimacy, look for secure websites with a valid Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate. They’ll begin with “https” and have a closed padlock icon in the status bar. (Eventually all sites will be required to have a valid SSL.)
- Carefully read any email messages you receive. Is it missing your name? Is there bad grammar or spelling? Is it asking you for personal information?
- Hover over links (don’t click on them!) to see the actual URL you will be directed to. Look at the web address carefully—it may just be one letter off or something similar.
Sources: Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Phishing.org
Top frauds of 2024
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), these were the top schemes reported by more than 2.6 million people in 2024, with losses of $12.5 billion dollars.
- Imposter scams.
- Online shopping and negative reviews.
- Business and job opportunities.
- Internet services.
Further, according to the FTC:
- The biggest scam losses happened by bank transfer or payment.
- Investment scams led to very large losses, up $1 billion dollars from 2023.
- People also reported losing money more often when they were contacted through social media.
- And job scams and fake employment agency losses jumped a lot between 2020 and 2024—from $90 million to $510 million.
If you spot a scam, report it at the Federal Trade Commission Complaint Assistant.
Be prepared for personal loss
Many of us don’t have a plan when it comes to preparing our family or ourselves for loss. To help you, we have put together two eBooks with guidance in letting your family know your wishes before you pass away and what needs to be done when you lose someone close.
A Love Letter to My Family: A financial ‘love letter’ to your family organizes your personal paper trail, enhances the legal documents you have prepared, and helps reduce stress and potential conflicts for your loved ones. It is NOT a binding legal or financial document but a tool that can help you organize your thoughts, wishes, and assets in one place.
What To Do When You Lose a Loved One: When you lose someone you love, there are many details to consider. Our financial guide walks you through important financial tasks to do during the days, weeks, and months that follow after a loved one passes away.
Take advantage of this perk!
Did you know that as an added benefit for WEA Member Benefits’ home policyholders, you have free access to a program where you can create many important legal documents?
Personal Risk ProtectionTM is an easy-to-use online service that can save you and your family hundreds of dollars.
Options include:
- Writing a will or power of attorney.
- Preparing a healthcare directive.
- Contracting with a builder for home renovation.
- Creating a trust.
Renting out a property with a lease, and more.
Visit the Personal Risk Protection page to learn more, then call 1-800-279-4030 to get your registration code.
NEW eBooks for you and your family
Did you know Member Benefits has a variety of free eBooks for you to download?
UPDATED!
We have updated our very popular eBook, What To Do When You Lose a Loved One. When you lose someone you love, there are many details to consider. Our financial guide walks you through important financial tasks to do during the days, weeks, and months that follow after a loved on passes away.
BRAND NEW!
We have added a new companion eBook, A Love Letter to My Family. This guide is meant to be a financial ‘love letter’ to your family. It helps you organize your personal paper trail, enhance the legal documents you have prepared, and helps reduce stress and potential conflicts for your loved ones. It is NOT a binding legal or financial document but a tool that can help you organize your thoughts, wishes, and assets in one place.
Learn more and download these and other helpful eBooks on retirement, insurance, financial security, and starting out your career as an educator.
What kind of investor are you?
Before investing, it’s important to know what kind of investor you are so you can select a mix of investments consistent with your financial situation and your risk tolerance. Assessing your risk tolerance is a key factor in determining what kind of investor you are.
Risk can be defined as the possibility of losing all or part of your investment. The potential for higher returns goes hand-in-hand with higher risk. Conversely, low-risk investments are associated with lower returns.
Find out what kind of investor you are with our 403(b)/IRA Investor Suitability Profile Questionnaire. Answer a series of questions to help determine your risk tolerance and appropriate investments for you.
Visit our free financial calculators page for this and many other helpful financial calculators.
Preparing your loved ones for when you pass
We put together a list that may help prepare and guide your conversations with loved ones. Some of the highlights include:
Add a trusted contact to your account(s).
This allows us to communicate with your trusted contact if we cannot reach you and helps prevent fraud attempts.
Review and (if necessary) update your beneficiary designations.
The beneficiary designation(s) listed on your retirement savings accounts override your will, so it’s important to keep them updated. To review your beneficiary designations, call us, log in to your online account, or review your quarterly statement.
Put in place a durable power of attorney (for financial reasons).
Having a power of attorney in place, if it comes to that point, is much easier on your loved ones.
Create a list of your accounts, the organizations each of your accounts are with, and contact information for each account location. Share the list with a trusted individual.
This list can help reduce some of the stress and scrambling for loved ones by having all the information in one place.
Download our What to do when you lose a loved one eBook to share with family/friends.
In the midst of grief, life goes on. There are arrangements to be made and logistics to take care of. This informational eBook helps guide you through the financial journey that follows the passing of a loved one.
If you have a 403(b) or IRA retirement/investment account with WEA Member Benefits, we are still here for your beneficiaries. Our team can be reached at 1-800-279-4030, ext. 8568.
Spring into action with Individual Financial Consultations
Where do I start saving for the future? How do I open a retirement savings account? Am I on the right track?
Who are MBCs?
As retired educators and financial sector employees, our MBCs know the importance of saving for the future. They’ve spent years in education and have made the decision to give back and support those who work in public schools with their financial journeys.
MBCs are part-time employees who are available for a quick check-in with Wisconsin public school employees for individual financial consultations (ICONs). (For more in-depth help, explore our Financial Planning options.) Two people from the MBC team are highlighted on the sidebar.
What is an ICON?
ICONS are for everyone, whether you’re a first year teacher or months away from retirement.
ICONs are a time for you to meet with one of our MBCs and get your specific questions answered related to your financial journey.
MBCs can walk through your questions on topics such as 403(b)/IRA enrollment, the importance of saving for the future, or tips for purchasing auto and home insurance. They can also help you review or consolidate your current retirement accounts.
How do I schedule an ICON?
Our staff manages their availability on a scheduling platform called Calendly. This allows anyone who wants to meet with one of our MBCs to pop on the scheduling link, find the times that work for them, and schedule their ICON. Easy as that!
If you have a current MBC you’re working with but need their Calendly link, please reach out to them directly. If you haven’t met with anyone from our MBC team yet, visit Consults page to schedule your ICON. We even offer evening and weekend appointments.
Where can I find additional resources?
Our website has great financial resources. Start by checking out our Learning Center, full of articles, resources, and calculators.
Once you schedule an ICON, you will also receive an email with a link to a resource page to use before, during, and after your consultation.
Interested in joining our MBC team?
We are always looking for new MBCs to help us better serve public school employees. Visit our Careers page to check out the job description and learn more. We’d love to chat with you about this amazing opportunity!