After a two-year hiatus, ETF has resumed hosting in-person group retirement appointments outside of the Madison area! Sessions have initially been scheduled through March in Milwaukee, Green Bay, Appleton, Cleveland, La Crosse, Wausau, and Whitewater. More Appointments>

Highlights

• WRS in the Spotlight
• Legislative Update
• Income Continuation Insurance Program
• What’s Your Well-Being Purpose?

Message from ETF and SWIB Leadership

The Value of Dependability By John Voelker, ETF Secretary Some days I think the ideal of dependability is declining in our society. For example, you replace your dishwasher, which lasted 30 years, with one that will last 10. My view is likely skewed because I am in a position in which more than 663,000 individuals are counting on me to safeguard their retirement money. As a result, dependability is often the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about before bed. More Dependability>

Managing Volatility Today for Future Success By Edwin Denson, SWIB Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer If you have been following the news over the past year, you don’t need me to tell you the story of the financial markets of 2022. The good news is that strong absolute investment returns in three of the past four years will help mitigate the effects of 2022 trust fund investment performance on upcoming annuity adjustments, as well as lend stability to contribution rate changes in 2024. More Future Success>

WRS in the Spotlight

Pew Charitable Trusts has cited the WRS as one of three public employee pension plans that has maintained high funded ratios at predictable costs over the past 20 years. The WRS has “exemplary characteristics, including a path to retirement security for all workers." In Pew's Q&A-style interview, ETF Secretary John Voelker talked about how the WRS distributes risks and gains among employers, employees, and retirees, and other strengths of the WRS. More WRS>

Legislative Update

By Tarna Hunter, ETF Government Relations Director  ETF submitted its biennial budget request to the Department of Administration in September, after review and endorsement by the ETF Board. The period covered is July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2025. Here are a few highlights of our biennial budget request and next steps. More Legislative Update>

Webinar: Teach Teachers How to Retire

Teachers: If you need to decide whether to retire or continue working next year, this ETF webinar is for you! Hosted by an ETF benefits specialist, we’ll review how to request your WRS retirement estimate/application and the next steps in the process. A Q&A session at the end will address teacher-centric topics. Register for a webinar now.

Denson Wins Asset Owner Industry Innovation Award

SWIB Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer Edwin Denson was named winner of Chief Investment Officer magazine’s 2022 Asset Owner Industry Innovation Award, in the category of public defined benefit pension funds with assets greater than $100 billion. More Denson Award>

Projections for Rates and Adjustments

Based on SWIB's preliminary investment returns for 2022, ETF has prepared projections for Core Trust Fund and Variable Trust Fund effective rates and annuity adjustments. More Rate Projections>

Webinar: WRS Effective Rates and Annuity Adjustments
Take in this webinar to learn how Core Trust Fund and Variable Trust Fund effective rates and annuity adjustments are determined and how they affect your WRS benefits. Sessions are currently scheduled beginning in March at convenient lunchtime and evening hours. Sign up for a webinar>

Private Equity Provides Additional Investment Opportunities

While stocks, or public equities, typically grab the headlines for their performance — especially in a negative-return environment — private equity investments have been growing in importance because of the diversification and solid returns this asset class can provide, even in down markets. More Private Equity>

Income Continuation Insurance Program

The Group Insurance Board approved changes to simplify the Income Continuation Insurance Program for employees and streamline program administration. Consider enrolling in ICI. 2023 premiums are $0 for local employees and being reduced by 20% for state employees. More ICI>

WDC Program News

We bring you news about the Wisconsin Deferred Compensation Program, including 2023 participant fee increases; expanded target date retirement fund choices for keeping your account safe and secure; and new IRS contribution limits. More WDC News>

What’s Your Well-Being Purpose?

The Well Wisconsin Program is here to support you with living your best life and feeling well along the way. Attend an in-person event on Feb. 16 — or view it online — with UW-Madison’s Dr. Christine Whelan, who will discuss how a sense of purpose in life correlates with better health; and check out all the resources available to support you in staying true to your purpose and living well throughout all of 2023! More Well Wisconsin>

For State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program Participants

Other News & Features