Department of Employee Trust Funds
February 1, 2012 (updated)

Wait Times/Common Questions

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) members frequently ask, “How long will it take to receive my…

…retirement benefit estimate?
…separation benefit payment?
…death benefit payment?
…lump sum retirement benefit payment?

The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) is committed to providing timely service to our members. However, unprecedented growth in the number of participants eligible to retire has substantially increased the demand for many of our basic services and, consequently, the wait times are now longer. This has led to an increase in the number of inquiries from members checking on the status of their estimates, applications, and other retirement-related business.

The following information is provided to keep our members informed about the current wait times for the following services. The wait time for:

• retirement estimates is approximately two to three weeks after requests are received.
• separation benefit payments is approximately three to four months after applications are received.
• death benefit payments is approximately three to four months after applications are received.
• lump sum retirement benefit payments is approximately three to four months after applications are received.
• an individual appointment with a Trust Funds Specialist is approximately two weeks.
• a group session appointment with a Trust Funds Specialist in Madison is less than five business days.

• Common Question Regarding State Sick Leave Program: ETF has received some questions from state employees about the Accumulated Sick Leave Conversion Credit program (ASLCC) and the Supplemental Health Insurance Conversion Credit program (SHICC). If you have similar questions, please review the information in this summary before contacting ETF.
• Visit our Video Library to learn about our benefit programs. If you are considering retirement, watch our Road to Retirement video that covers all of the things you would hear in a meeting with our staff.

• If you need a form or brochure, most of these are available on our Internet site at http://etf.wi.gov. Another option for ordering forms and brochures is to use our automated self-service telephone system, which can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling our main line at 608-266-3285 or toll-free at 1-877-533-5020.