Now Available: Evening Group Retirement Appointments
ETF now offers group retirement appointments with an ETF benefits specialist every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. These convenient group appointments are only available online at this time. Ready to schedule an appointment? Use our new, secure online appointment scheduling system.
ETF and the WRS are Well Positioned for a Successful Future By Robert Conlin, ETF Secretary
As my time at ETF draws to a close, I’d like you all to know that the WRS remains strong, and it continues to be recognized as one of the best-funded public pension plans in the country. To be sure, there will always be challenges to overcome, but the dedicated professionals at ETF and SWIB are ready, able, and willing to address those challenges head on. The WRS is truly strong for Wisconsin! More Successful Future>
SWIB Ends "Up and Down" Year in a Strong Position By David Villa, SWIB Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer
This past year has been a year to remember. As governments and institutions worked to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, the financial markets experienced a great deal of volatility. We ended the year in a strong positive position with the Core Fund achieving a preliminary net return of 15.21%. More Strong Position>
ETF projects annuity adjustments for the Core Trust Fund to be 4.7% to 5.1%, based on SWIB’s preliminary 2020 investment returns. Projections for the effective rates are also good news. Find out how this will affect your Wisconsin Retirement System account. More Rate Projections>
Register for webinar: WRS Effective Rates and Annuity Adjustments February 10, February 12, February 18, February 25
The process to elect three teachers to the Teachers Retirement Board has begun. Self-nominations are the first step in the process. If you’re interested in serving on the board, download the nomination materials or contact ETF as soon as possible. More Teachers Retirement Board>
By Tarna Hunter, ETF Government Relations Director
ETF submitted its biennial budget request to the Department of Administration in October, after review and endorsement by the ETF Board. Here are a few highlights of our biennial budget request. More Legislative Update>
SWIB to Relocate to Madison Yards in 2022
SWIB has signed a lease to relocate in the summer of 2022 to a new building at Madison Yards on Madison’s near westside. The new facility will provide the agency with the space needed to house its award-winning staff and to increase its ability to manage assets internally. More SWIB to Relocate>
How the "Goldilocks Zone" Benefits the WRS
In the classic fairy tale, Goldilocks looks for the porridge that is not too hot, not too cold, but just right. Similarly, SWIB has to strike just the right balance between an asset allocation that is not too risky for WRS risk-sharing design, but also takes enough risk to generate the returns necessary to sustain the pension system over the long term. More Goldilocks Zone>
ETF Cybersecurity Efforts a Top Priority
With a dedicated team and information security leadership in place, ETF’s growing information security program underscores our commitment to protecting WRS member information every day and into the future. More Cybersecurity>
SWIB’s Hellmer Named to SEC Investor Advisory Committee
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has appointed Brian Hellmer, SWIB’s managing director of global public market strategies, to serve a four-year term on its Investor Advisory Committee. The committee advises the SEC on regulatory priorities, regulation of securities products, trading strategies, fee structures, and disclosure effectiveness. More Hellmer>
Well Wisconsin: Take Care and Be There for Life’s Meaningful Moments
Tune in to greater well-being with an improved Well Wisconsin experience. This year, the program has partnered with WebMD Health Services to bring information and resources to fit your interests and well-being goals. Learn what’s new for 2021 and how to earn your incentive reward. More Well Wisconsin>
Know Your Benefits
Q: I’m going to retire this year. What are my options for getting money from my Wisconsin Deferred Compensation account?
A: After you separate from service, your options will include:
Leave your money in the WDC and manage your account with the same flexibility that was available to you prior to retirement;
Take a distribution — it’s your money! There are several options, ranging from periodic payments of any amount to lump-sum payments; and
Rolling your money over to another qualified retirement plan or an IRA.
ETF offers a full slate of retirement preparation and benefits-related webinars every month. For January and February, we’ve got six great topics and many different sessions offered during daytime and evening hours. More Webinars>
"Missing Member Project" Connects Members with Their WRS Pension Accounts
A project to locate WRS employees who have lost contact with ETF — and thus unaware their retirement accounts are still open — is already having a significant and gratifying impact. More Missing Member Project>
When Will I Receive My Statement of Benefits?
ETF will begin distributing employees’ WRS Annual Statement of Benefits in April, after 2020 account data reconciliation processes have been completed. The statement is a summary of an employee’s WRS retirement account information, including interest applied to the account, beneficiary information, and much more.
Emergency Services Survey: What We Learned From Members
The results of a recent ETF survey provided valuable feedback on members’ preferences for, and knowledge of, health care options when unexpected medical needs arise. Do you know your options and what resources are available for care? More Survey>
A Look at WRS 2019 Financials
ETF has released the Wisconsin Retirement System Financial Report for the year ending December 31, 2019. The WRS paid approximately $5.7 billion in benefits in 2019. The WRS funding ratio calculated in accordance with accounting standards was approximately 103%. Sound funding and plan design principles continue to keep the WRS financially strong. More 2019 Financials>
Wisconsin Deferred Compensation Program Update
Here’s a tool to help you decide whether contributing to the WDC’s Roth option makes sense for you, a reminder to review your savings rate and allocation, and a link to scheduling your personalized retirement readiness review. More WDC>
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 thecurrent listof individuals with abandoned WRS accounts and their benefit application deadlines on our website.
Upcoming Governing Board Meetings
Find out when the governing boards of the WRS and the SWIB Board of Trustees are scheduled to meet. More Board Meetings>
Well Wisconsin Radio: Seasonal Affective Disorder
Tune in to the next Well Wisconsin Radio segment, “Seasonal Affective Disorder: More than Pandemic Sadness or Winter Blues,” set for Tuesday, February 2 from noon to 12:30 p.m. We’ll discuss who is at risk, signs, symptoms, and available treatment options. Join us! Register now.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
ETF is working to ensure group health insurance members receive the care they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve got important information and resources about COVID-19 vaccine coverage, eligibility, and availability. More Vaccine Information>
WRS Calculators
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