Overview

The Wisconsin Retirement System is a pension plan that is intended to provide a lifetime retirement payment (annuity) to members who are vested and have reached minimum retirement age.

The WRS benefits package is a valuable recruitment tool available to the State of Wisconsin, local governments, technical colleges, and school districts throughout the state.

In addition to the WRS, ETF also oversees and manages the following benefit programs for WRS-enrolled employees (members):

  • Disability Retirement
  • Duty Disability
  • Optional Insurance Plans
    • Health insurance
    • Life insurance
    • Income Continuation Insurance (ICI)
    • Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC)

Participation in the WRS is effective on January 1.

Eligibility

The WRS is open to any public employer as defined by Wis. Stat. § 40.02(28).

All employers joining the WRS must be covered by Wisconsin’s Section 218 Agreement with the Social Security Administration.

To learn more, see the Get Started section and the FAQ below.