ETF started mailing the 2024 WRS Annual Statement of Benefits in April. The statement shows your WRS contribution balances as of Dec. 31, 2023, and reflects effective rates of interest, including 9.1% for the Core Fund and 22% for the Variable Fund. How to read the statement >| Video: WRS Effective Rates >
ETF Budget & Management Director Tarna Hunter recaps three bills passed by the State Senate and Assembly that affect ETF and the benefit programs it administers. The Legislature concluded the 2023-2024 Regular Session on March 12, 2024. Bills not passed are likely “dead,” unless taken in a special session or revived in the upcoming regular session. Read more >
Life Insurance Premium Changes For state employees enrolled in the Group Life Insurance Plan, premium rates increased by 5% starting in April this year, while the monthly premium for spouse and dependent coverage decreased to $2.10 per unit. How about for local government employees? Read more >| About Life Insurance >
Board Approves 2025 Health Benefit Changes In its February meeting, the Group Insurance Board approved benefit changes for the Group Health Insurance Program for the 2025 plan year. Open enrollment will start in September, with more details coming to you as enrollment nears. What are the changes?| Your current health benefits >
Caring for Your Smile Year Round
May is National Dental Care Month. It reminds us of the importance of good oral hygiene all year round. You may be surprised to know that poor oral health is also linked to systemic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Dental care is an investment in overall health and well-being. See available dental plans >
WebMD Health Coaches Support Your Whole-Person Well-Being WebMD Vice President Kara Williams explains seven ways that set apart their health coaching from other platforms. Employees and their spouses enrolled in the Group Health Insurance Program can access WebMD’s health coaching through the Well Wisconsin Program. Read more >| Upcoming Well Wisconsin activities >
Mental Health Resources Your medical benefits include coverage for mental health care. ETF’s Mental Health Resources page provides info on the benefits available through the Group Health Insurance Program, as well as state and national resources on mental health. Bookmark the page >
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The WRS is one of the best-funded and best-managed public pension systems in the country. In terms of assets, it typically ranks among the top 10 largest U.S. public pension funds.
How many state and local government employees are in the WRS?
Your contributions to the Wisconsin Deferred Compensation Program (WDC) are made with pretax dollars, which means every dollar you save may reduce your taxable income. And as you save on taxes, you may be able to save even more for your future to help maximize your retirement income. If applicable, you may even save with post-tax dollars to reduce future taxable income during retirement. More benefits of enrolling in WDC >|Pretax vs. Roth: What’s the Difference?
WDC Webinar Join a 30-minute live session for new employees wanting to know more about the WDC Program. See schedules and register >
WDC Participant Survey Take this quick survey and help improve your experience with the WDC Program. Responses are confidential. Take WDC survey >
Webinar: Preparing for Your Retirement Planning to retire in the next five years? Learn about your steps to retire with the WRS. Get your questions answered by an ETF benefits specialist. View upcoming schedules >
In-Person Group Retirement Appointments ETF benefits specialists may be in your area to conduct appointments for up to 12 members and their guests. Before registering, you must have received a Retirement Benefit Estimates and Application (ET-4301). See locations and schedules >
Video: 5 Basic Steps to Your Retirement This video walks you through the process from choosing a termination date to submitting a retirement application. Watch video >
Video: Accumulated Sick Leave Credit Conversion (State & UW) At retirement, you may be able to utilize unused sick leave to pay for health insurance. Find out everything you need to know with this three-part video series. Watch video >
SWIB's investment management of the WRS generated more than $3.1 billion of net outperformance over the last five years. In 2023, SWIB beat its one-, five-, and ten-year benchmarks for the Core Trust Fund. By exceeding the WRS actuarial target return for all periods, SWIB helped provide continued stability in employer and employee contribution rates. Read more > | Latest WRS investment performance >
The SWIB Podcast: Co-investment and Core Fund There are many ways to invest in the private markets. One approach that has been gathering momentum in the past decade is co-investment. How does this help the Core Trust Fund? SWIB’s Chris Eckerman and Kirk Wolff discuss co-investments and how SWIB was an early adopter of this approach for the WRS. Listen >
ETF Sec. Voelker in Stanford University The Hoover Institution in Stanford University invited ETF Sec. John Voelker to speak at its conference on "Public Pensions: Past, Present, and Future" in March. Voelker discussed the WRS experience and how its shared risk design made it sustainable and resilient over time to become one of the best public pension systems. About the conference >
Clyde Tinnen Appointed as SWIB Board Chair Gov. Tony Evers appointed Clyde Tinnen as chair of the SWIB Board of Trustees. Tinnen, who has been with the Board since 2021, succeeded Barbara Nick as chair after Nick stepped down in December. Also appointed were Tom Merfeld as the Board’s vice-chair and other new Board members. Meet the new SWIB appointees >
SWIB’s Derek Drummond in SBAI Board SWIB Head of Funds Alpha Derek Drummond was elected to the Standards Board for Alternative Investments (SBAI) Board. SBAI is a global alliance of alternative investment managers and institutional investors dedicated to improving the alternative investment industry through setting standards, industry guidance, and exchange of ideas.
Share your personal journey in public service, and you might be featured in the next issues of WRS News Online and other ETF publications. Public servants (above, from left) like Steve from Ashwaubenon, Maggie and Andre from Madison, and Jim from Fond du Lac help inspire fellow government workers who serve our communities in Wisconsin. Share your story >
Stay Connected with ETF Hundreds of members are following ETF’s LinkedIn, where they receive timely information to make the most out of their WRS benefits. Follow ETF on LinkedIn >
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