Retirees: Click here for your answer key

1. What is ERSGA’s website?

A. ersga.com
B. ers.gov.ga
C. ersga.gov
D. ers.ga.gov

Correct Answer: D. ers.ga.gov

2. ERSGA has many fun and educational videos created just for you as a State Employee! What is the name of ERSGA’s YouTube channel?

A. Videos by ERSGA
B. ERSGA Communications
C. ERSGA Information
D. ERSGA-TV

Correct Answer: B. ERSGA Communications

3. What is the first step in creating a budget? 

A. Guessing your future spending
B. Listing your monthly income and expenses
C. Cutting out all your fun purchases
D. Budgets are boring!

Correct Answer: B. Listing your monthly income and expenses

Explanation: Knowing how much you earn and spend is the foundation of budgeting. You can’t plan what you don’t track.

4. TrustDALE explains how to protect your personal information. Which of the following is a recommended safety step? 

A. Always carry your Social Security card in your wallet
B. Throw away documents with personal information in the regular trash
C. Don’t carry your social security card, shred paperwork with personal data and opt-out of pre-approved credit offers
D. Ignore signs of fraud because it usually fixes itself

Correct Answer: C. Don’t carry your social security card, shred paperwork with personal data and opt-out of pre-approved credit offers

Explanation: Shredding personal documents and opting out of pre approved credit offers reduces the risk of mail theft and identity fraud, and helps keep your personal information secure.

5. What is a Will, really? 

A. A legal document that ensures your assets go where you want them to
B. A kind and thoughtful way to help your loved ones avoid confusion and conflict
C. A smart way to potentially reduce court costs, taxes, and legal delays
D. All of the above

Correct Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: A Will is a legal document, a family kindness, and a strategic move. A clear Will can help your loved ones avoid probate delays, legal fees, and in some cases, reduce estate taxes. Most importantly, it gives your loved one’s clarity at a time when they need it most. Think of it as part financial planning, part love letter, and part family protection plan.

6. What happens if someone dies without a Will in Georgia? 

A. The state follows intestacy laws, which may not match your wishes
B. The state follows intestacy laws, which may not match your wishes
C. The state follows intestacy laws, which may not match your wishes
D. All of the above. No Will = No control

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. No Will = No control

Explanation: Without a Will, the courts use Georgia’s intestacy laws to distribute your estate. That might not match what you would’ve wanted. A Will puts you in control.

7. You should be wary of financial planners who present themselves as experts about your Georgia state retirement benefits. Many of these unsolicited contacts aim to sell you high-cost investment products or even defraud you. 

True
False

Correct Answer: True

Important Information About Unsolicited Financial Advisors

If someone makes an unsolicited investment offer and claims any affiliation with the State of Georgia, ERSGA, or Peach State Reserves:

• Ask for the person’s name, company, email address, website, physical address, and phone number. A legitimate business is easy to verify.
• Never provide personal information. ERSGA and PSR will never contact you requesting payment, your Social Security number, or your account password.
• Never buy any financial product based on a first unsolicited contact. Research it first and make sure it is legitimate.
• When in doubt, contact ERSGA or PSR directly to confirm whether the individual is connected with the State of Georgia.

Members: Click here for your answer key

1. What is ERSGA’s website?

A. ersga.com
B. ers.gov.ga
C. ersga.gov
D. ers.ga.gov

Correct Answer: D. ers.ga.gov

2. ERSGA has many fun and educational videos created just for you as a State Employee! What is the name of ERSGA’s YouTube channel?

A. Videos by ERSGA
B. ERSGA Communications
C. ERSGA Information
D. ERSGA-TV

Correct Answer: B. ERSGA Communications

3. Can I use my Will to name an ERSGA beneficiary?

A. Yes, the Will always takes priority (Wrong Answer!)
B. Only if you have a major life event such as a marriage (Wrong Again!)
C. It depends on how recently the Will was updated (Not Correct!)
D. No, the beneficiary on file at ERSGA is the only beneficiary recognized by ERSGA. (This one! So, is your beneficiary updated on your ERSGA account? Maybe you should check it today?!)

Correct Answer: D. No, the beneficiary on file at ERSGA is the only beneficiary recognized by ERSGA. (This one! So, is your beneficiary updated on your ERSGA account? Maybe you should check it today?!)

Explanation: Your ERSGA beneficiary designation always takes precedence. If your Will and your pension account say two different things, the ERSGA record wins. Update your pension beneficiary at ers.ga.gov

4. What is the first step in creating a budget?

A. Guessing your future spending
B. Listing your monthly income and expenses
C. Cutting out all your fun purchases
D. Budgets are boring!

Correct Answer: B. Listing your monthly income and expenses

Explanation: Knowing how much you earn and spend is the foundation of budgeting. You can’t plan what you don’t track.

5. What does “pay yourself first” mean?

A. Buy something you want before paying bills
B. Pay off credit card debt first
C. Save a set amount before spending on anything else
D. Give yourself a bonus! You deserve it!

Correct Answer: C. Save a set amount before spending on anything else

Explanation: Paying yourself first means treating savings like a priority—automate it and build your future.

6. What is a healthy philosophy about paying off debt?

A. It is punishment for bad choices
B. It is boring but necessary
C. It is about buying your freedom and peace of mind
D. It is something you should avoid thinking about

Correct Answer: C. It is about buying your freedom and peace of mind

Explanation: It is about buying your freedom and peace of mind. Debt payoff is not about shame. It is about reclaiming your future! Every payment is a step toward peace and financial independence.

7. What’s a powerful reason to build your emergency fund today?

A. Because emergencies are expensive
B. Because it reduces stress
C. Because your family (and pets) rely on you
D. All of the above

Correct Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: All of these reasons are true. Emergency savings reduce financial anxiety, protect the people who depend on you, and give you the ability to handle life’s unexpected moments with confidence.

8. TrustDALE explains how to protect your personal information. Which of the following is a recommended safety step?

A. Always carry your Social Security card in your wallet
B. Throw away documents with personal information in the regular trash
C. Don’t carry your social security card, shred paperwork with personal data and opt-out of pre-approved credit offers
D. Ignore signs of fraud because it usually fixes itself

Correct Answer: C. Don’t carry your social security card, shred paperwork with personal data and opt-out of pre-approved credit offers

Explanation: Shredding personal documents and opting out of pre-approved credit offers reduces the risk of mail theft and identity fraud, and helps keep your personal information secure.

9. You should be wary of financial planners who present themselves as experts about your Georgia state retirement benefits. Many of these unsolicited contacts aim to sell you high-cost investment products or even defraud you.

True
False

Correct Answer: True

Important Information About Unsolicited Financial Advisors

If someone makes an unsolicited investment offer and claims any affiliation with the State of Georgia, ERSGA, or Peach State Reserves:

• Ask for the person’s name, company, email address, website, physical address, and phone number. A legitimate business is easy to verify.
• Never provide personal information. ERSGA and PSR will never contact you requesting payment, your Social Security number, or your account password.
• Never buy any financial product based on a first unsolicited contact. Research it first and make sure it is legitimate.
• When in doubt, contact ERSGA or PSR directly to confirm whether the individual is connected with the State of Georgia.

Employers: Click here for your answer key

1. What is ERSGA’s website?

A. ersga.com
B. ers.gov.ga
C. ersga.gov
D. ers.ga.gov

Correct Answer: D. ers.ga.gov

2. ERSGA has many fun and educational videos created just for you as a State Employee! What is the name of ERSGA’s YouTube channel?

A. Videos by ERSGA
B. ERSGA Communications
C. ERSGA Information
D. ERSGA-TV

Correct Answer: B. ERSGA Communications

3. Can I use my Will to name an ERSGA beneficiary?

A. Yes, the Will always takes priority (Wrong Answer!)
B. Only if you have a major life event such as a marriage (Wrong Again!)
C. It depends on how recently the Will was updated (Not Correct!)
D. No, the beneficiary on file at ERSGA is the only beneficiary recognized by ERSGA. (This one! So, is your beneficiary updated on your ERSGA account? Maybe you should check it today?!)

Correct Answer: D. No, the beneficiary on file at ERSGA is the only beneficiary recognized by ERSGA. (This one! So, is your beneficiary updated on your ERSGA account? Maybe you should check it today?!)

Explanation: Your ERSGA beneficiary designation always takes precedence. If your Will and your pension account say two different things, the ERSGA record wins. Update your pension beneficiary at ers.ga.gov

4. What is the first step in creating a budget?

A. Guessing your future spending
B. Listing your monthly income and expenses
C. Cutting out all your fun purchases
D. Budgets are boring!

Correct Answer: B. Listing your monthly income and expenses

Explanation: Knowing how much you earn and spend is the foundation of budgeting. You can’t plan what you don’t track.

5. What does “pay yourself first” mean?

A. Buy something you want before paying bills
B. Pay off credit card debt first
C. Save a set amount before spending on anything else
D. Give yourself a bonus! You deserve it!

Correct Answer: C. Save a set amount before spending on anything else

Explanation: Paying yourself first means treating savings like a priority—automate it and build your future.

6. What is a healthy philosophy about paying off debt?

A. It is punishment for bad choices
B. It is boring but necessary
C. It is about buying your freedom and peace of mind
D. It is something you should avoid thinking about

Correct Answer: C. It is about buying your freedom and peace of mind

Explanation: It is about buying your freedom and peace of mind. Debt payoff is not about shame. It is about reclaiming your future! Every payment is a step toward peace and financial independence.

7. What’s a powerful reason to build your emergency fund today?

A. Because emergencies are expensive
B. Because it reduces stress
C. Because your family (and pets) rely on you
D. All of the above

Correct Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: All of these reasons are true. Emergency savings reduce financial anxiety, protect the people who depend on you, and give you the ability to handle life’s unexpected moments with confidence.

8. TrustDALE explains how to protect your personal information. Which of the following is a recommended safety step?

A. Always carry your Social Security card in your wallet
B. Throw away documents with personal information in the regular trash
C. Don’t carry your social security card, shred paperwork with personal data and opt-out of pre-approved credit offers
D. Ignore signs of fraud because it usually fixes itself

Correct Answer: C. Don’t carry your social security card, shred paperwork with personal data and opt-out of pre-approved credit offers

Explanation: Shredding personal documents and opting out of pre-approved credit offers reduces the risk of mail theft and identity fraud, and helps keep your personal information secure.

9. You should be wary of financial planners who present themselves as experts about your Georgia state retirement benefits. Many of these unsolicited contacts aim to sell you high-cost investment products or even defraud you.

True
False

Correct Answer: True

Important Information About Unsolicited Financial Advisors

If someone makes an unsolicited investment offer and claims any affiliation with the State of Georgia, ERSGA, or Peach State Reserves:

• Ask for the person’s name, company, email address, website, physical address, and phone number. A legitimate business is easy to verify.
• Never provide personal information. ERSGA and PSR will never contact you requesting payment, your Social Security number, or your account password.
• Never buy any financial product based on a first unsolicited contact. Research it first and make sure it is legitimate.
• When in doubt, contact ERSGA or PSR directly to confirm whether the individual is connected with the State of Georgia.