Teachers: Vote in the Teachers Retirement Board Election
Attention, all teachers: It’s time to elect three members to
the Teachers Retirement Board! Cast your vote online or via telephone during
the upcoming election period, February 1-29. The 13-member TR Board advises
the ETF Board on retirement and other benefit matters. More TR Board Election>
The founders of the WRS envisioned a
statewide structure that would facilitate the attraction and retention of
employees to public service, offer equitable benefit standards throughout
public employment and ease the transfer of personnel between public employers.
As 2016 begins, I think it’s fair to say that the WRS is meeting those
expectations. More ETF>
Managing Risk to Protect the WRS
by Michael Williamson, SWIB Executive Director
When
you think of risk what comes to mind? Maybe you think about the risk you take
when you get behind the wheel of your car to drive in the first snow storm of
the year. We don’t know when that first storm will hit each year, but we know
we have to prepare ourselves the best we can for when it does. When it comes to the WRS, risk takes a very significant role in our investment strategies. More SWIB>
Will You Be Able to Live the Retirement of Your Dreams?
Although solid sources of income, your future WRS pension and Social
Security benefits might fall short of your needs and wants, or living the retirement of your dreams. That’s why you need
a “third leg of the retirement income stool” (i.e., personal savings). The Wisconsin Deferred Compensation
Program is a supplemental retirement savings program that may help. More WDC>
Q: Are you
getting close to retirement and wondering how to get started?
A: Check out ETF’s
popular interactive webinar, 5 Basic
Steps to Your Retirement, and you'll be on your way. If you are within five years of retirement: Consider attending one of our benefit presentations – locations held statewide from January to March.
By
reducing costs through asset allocation, managing more funds internally and
passively, and negotiating lower fees for external managers, SWIB’s
costs were $207 million less than its peers. More Low-Cost Pension Manager>
The Group Insurance Board, in consultation with the Division
of Personnel Management, is now required to notify the state legislature’s
Joint Committee on Finance if it intends to execute a contract to provide
self-insured group health plans on a regional or statewide basis. More Legislative Update>
SWIB Chief Investment Officer David
Villa has been recognized by two global organizations for his work as a public
pension investment executive. More Villa>
Health and Wellness is Top Priority
What are the priorities of the Group Insurance Board?
Member health and wellness and making the state’s group health insurance
program more efficient top the list. These issues will be at the forefront
when the GIB addresses health care changes for 2017 and other longer-term
initiatives at its meeting on February 17. More
Health and Wellness>
The Wisconsin Senate has confirmed the appointments of Mark Doll, Barbara Nick and
Paul Stewart to the SWIB Board of Trustees. More SWIB Trustees>
Investments Affect
WRS Rates and Adjustments
SWIB has announced preliminary2015investment returns of -0.4% for the Core Trust Fund and -1.2% for
the Variable Trust Fund. How will this affect your WRS
account? More Preliminary Returns>
A Look at WRS Financials
Sound funding and plan design principles keep the WRS financially strong. It’s our
fiduciary responsibility to let you know how the WRS is doing. More Financials>
ETF Webinars and Other Learning Opportunities
Want to know more about your WRS benefits? Attend one of
our public benefit presentations – sessions are scheduled throughout the state.
You can also take in one of our live, interactive webinars or e-learnings 24/7. More Learning>
Members Want Online Services
Members tell us they want access to their individual WRS
accounts and benefits information 24/7. Above all, online services should be
secure, convenient and quick. ETF is taking your needs to heart in developing
the new benefits administration system, called myETF Member Online Services. More Online Services>
ID Cards: Important Reminders
If you’re enrolled in the group health insurance program and do not have your new ID cards for health and dental for
2016 by the end of January, contact your plan. Here’s what you need to know
about ID cards. More ID Cards>
ETF, SWIB Board Meetings in 2016
The next meeting of the SWIB Board of Trustees is February 10; Group
Insurance Board, February 17; ETF Board, March 24.Check out board meeting dates, agendas and materials. More Board Meetings>
Abandoned WRS Accounts
Every January ETF publishes a notice of
individuals age 70 or older who have abandoned WRS accounts. Members or their
heirs have 10 years after published notification to apply for the benefit. More Abandoned Accounts>