ETF Projections for Effective Rates, Annuity Adjustments
SWIB has announced preliminary 2019 investment returns for the Core Trust Fund and the Variable Trust Fund. Find out how this potentially affects your WRS account. More Rate Projections>
Webinar: How Rates and Adjustments Are Determined Take in our webinarto learn how WRS effective rates and annuity adjustments are determined and how they affect your benefits. Sessions currently scheduled through February during convenient lunchtime and evening hours.
We Are Proud to Serve You by Robert Conlin, ETF Secretary
Happy New Year! As the 2020s dawn, your Wisconsin Retirement System continues to be strong and well-positioned to meet the State’s retirement commitments well into the future. Thank you for all you do to make the WRS the success that it is. Everyone here at ETF is proud to serve you and to provide your retirement, health, and other WRS benefits. More Proud to Serve You>
Investment Success: True Value Measured Over the Long Term by David Villa, SWIB Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer
This past year the WRS Trust Funds earned extremely strong preliminary gross returns; however, the true value that SWIB provides is measured over long time horizons and not simply by the rise and fall of the market in a single year. Over the long term, SWIB’s investment strategy—along with the WRS’s unique design—has maintained the plan’s fully funded status and kept the WRS financially stable. More Investment Success>
SWIB implements a prudent and innovative long-term investment strategy to manage the assets of the WRS. A recent review confirmed the asset allocation of the Core Trust Fund was in the “Goldilocks Zone”—it is neither “too hot” nor “too cold” in terms of risk and expected returns. More Asset Allocation>
Q: Is there a “magic” number of combined years of service and age that will give me an unreduced retirement benefit?
A: No, there is no magic number. For employees in all WRS employment category(ies) other than Protective, a member with 30 years of service can get a formula retirement benefit with no age reduction factor applied at age 57. More Know Your Benefits>
by Tarna Hunter, ETF Government Relations Director
The Wisconsin Legislature is expected to conclude the 2019-2020 session this spring. As of WRS News Online deadlines, here are the latest bills affecting the benefit programs administered by ETF. More Legislative Update>
Trustees Win Allocators’ Choice Award
The SWIB Board of Trustees has been awarded an Institutional Investor’s Allocators’ Choice Award for Investment Committee/Board of the Year. In support of SWIB’s work, this independent Board has demonstrated a continued commitment to a strong governance structure, active internal management, a sophisticated investment strategy, building out technology, and hiring the best talent to manage the WRS trust funds. More Allocators' Choice Award>
If retirement is beginning to appear on your horizon, then put this webinar on your priority list! ETF offers this webinar twice a month at convenient day and evening hours. Sessions are currently scheduled through May. Register now>
Save the Travel Hassles: Book an Online Retirement Appointment
Don't let travel hassles impede your plans. Online retirement appointments with an ETF benefits specialist are convenient, secure, and interactive. You and the specialist talk by telephone and simultaneously review your estimate and payment options. The specialist will also answer any questions you may have. Schedule your online appointment today.
WDC Program Monthly Fees Increased
Effective January 1, 2020, monthly administrative fees paid by Wisconsin Deferred Compensation Program participants increased by an average of 6.5%. The WDC is self- supporting. Fees paid by participants cover expenses such as record keeping and auditing services. More WDC>
Contribution Limits Increased in 2020
The IRS has set a 2020 contribution limit of $19,500 or 100% of your compensation. The IRS also increased the age 50+ catch-up contribution and the special 457(b) catch-up contributions. Find out how you can enhance your retirement savings with these new provisions. More WDC>
Other News & Features
SWIB Executive Director/CIO Receives Pair of Honors
SWIB Executive Director/Chief Investment Officer David Villa has been named one of Trusted Insight’s 2019 Top 30 Public Pension Chief Investment Officers. He has also been honored as a finalist for Chief Investment Officer magazine’s Industry Innovation Awards in the category of risk management. More Honors>
Well Wisconsin is Back and Better for 2020!
What's new in 2020 for the Well Wisconsin Program? A new portal, for one thing! Watch this video to learn about the many cool new features and programs to keep you on track with your health and wellness goals. More Well Wisconsin>
Palmer Appointed to SWIB Board of Trustees
Kristi Palmer has been appointed to serve on the SWIB Board of Trustees as a public member. More Board of Trustees>
A Look at WRS 2018 Financials
ETF has released its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the year ended December 31, 2018. This report provides information about ETF, the WRS, and other benefit programs administered by ETF. Sound funding and plan design principles continue to keep the WRS financially strong. More 2018 Financials>
Planning for Retirement Web Resources
Deciding to retire may be the hardest part of the entire process. ETF's Planning for Retirementweb resources help you master the next steps so that you make the right decisions at the right time.
SWIB Names New PMFA Director
SWIB has announced that Anne-Marie Fink is the agency’s new Private Markets and Funds Alpha managing director. Fink is responsible for overseeing private equity, real estate, hedge funds, externally managed accounts, private debt, and venture capital portfolios.More PMFA Director>
ETF Internal Audit Director Named APPFA Secretary
Yikchau Sze, director of Internal Audit at ETF, was recently named Secretary of the Association of Public Pension Fund Auditors. More APPFA Secretary>
ETF Seeks Individuals with Abandoned 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. Find the current listof individuals with abandoned WRS accounts and their benefit application deadlines on our website.
Upcoming Governing Board Meetings
Find out when the next scheduled meetings are set for the following governing boards: * Group Insurance Board * ETF Board, Teachers Retirement Board, and Wisconsin Retirement Board * Deferred Compensation Board * SWIB Board of Trustees More Board Meetings>
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