WRS News Online - May 2018 Edition

Take steps to reach your health and well-being goals while earning your $150 Well Wisconsin incentive* at the same time! Well Wisconsin health screenings are available May 17 at Monona Terrace and June 21 and August 21 at Clarion Suites at the Alliant Energy Center.

Take a few minutes to review your Wisconsin Retirement System annual Statement of Benefits. This important document is a summary of your year-end retirement account information. Keep your statement with your important paperwork.

The effective rates of interest have been applied to your retirement account. Review your latest annual latest annual Statement of Benefits, which was distributed in April, to learn how the rates affect your account balances.

Managing the Wisconsin Retirement System trust funds involves more than determining a good investment strategy. Developing a disciplined, prudent, and innovative investment strategy is what we do to mitigate against losses, keep contribution rates stable, and generate reasonable returns. In addition, the State of Wisconsin Investment Board's cost optimization efforts help ensure the WRS can meet its obligations today and in the future.

The dust is beginning to settle! At the end of March the Department of Employee Trust Funds moved into the new Hill Farms State Office Building on Madison's west side, consolidating operations, services and staff into one modern facility.

This is the second in a three-part series that looks back at the Great Recession, its effect on the Wisconsin Retirement System, and how the State of Wisconsin Investment Board invests first to help protect the pension system during another major downturn and then to earn reasonable returns.

For more information, review our brochure, Tax Liability on WRS Benefits (ET-4125).

Have you decided to retire within the next 6 to 12 months? Congratulations! That milestone may be the hardest part of the entire process. ETF can help you understand and master the next steps so that you make decisions that are right for you.

How will your health benefits change in retirement? What happens when you become eligible for Medicare?

Last year the Department of Employee Trust Funds began with a third–party administrator to build a "data warehouse" – a centralized, secure repository of data pertaining to the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program. At this point ETF and the vendor, Truven Health Analytics, are nearing completion of loading enrollment information, claims (e.g., medical, pharmacy, dental) and wellness data from 2014-2017 into the repository.

Are you looking for ways to manage pain in a safe and effective way?

SWIB Chief Investment Officer David Villa has been named to Chief Investment Officer magazine's Power 100 list.

At the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds, protecting the integrity of the Public Employee Trust Funds and the employee benefit programs we administer is central to our operating mission. To that end, ETF has contracted with Ethical Advocate, an independent, third–party administrator, to manage an anonymous and confidential hotline for reporting fraud, abuse or other unethical actions.

If you are nearing retirement and have your retirement estimate in hand:
- Do you have questions about your options or the retirement process itself?
- Are you unable to wait for the next available in-person appointment with an ETF benefits specialist?

Anton "Tony" Przybylski, Jr. a mathematics instructor at Madison College, has been appointed to the Teachers Retirement Board. Przybylski will serve as the technical college teacher member of the board.

In March Gov. Walker appointed Ellen Nowak to serve as the Department of Administration secretary. Therefore, Nowak will replace former DOA secretary Scott Neitzel on the SWIB Board of Trustees.

The State of Wisconsin Investment Board posts publications and materials online to make information easily accessible to Wisconsin Retirement System members.

Open meeting materials for the SWIB Board of Trustee meetings – including meeting minutes – are available on SWIB's website, on the Board Meetings page.