WRS News Online - Jan 2017 Edition

Wisconsin Retirement System teachers have the opportunity to elect two members to the Teachers Retirement (TR) Board. The 13-member TR Board advises the Employee Trust Funds Board on retirement and other benefit matters involving public school, vocational, state and university teachers.

When I started my service with the State nearly 25 years ago, I was fortunate to have a grizzled, experienced colleague as a sort of mentor to show me the tricks of the trade. "Dan" shared advice and insights gleaned from years of doing the job that helped this newbie avoid many a painful or embarrassing mistake and made me a better and more valuable employee. Interestingly, I think, the best advice he gave me had nothing to do with the job and everything to do with my future wellbeing.

The State of Wisconsin Investment Board has announced preliminary 2016 investment returns of 8.5% for the Core Trust Fund and 10.6% for the Variable Trust Fund. How will this affect your Wisconsin Retirement System account?

Have you taken the Financial Fitness Challenge offered by the Department of Employee Trust Funds? Join Naveen and the thousands of other Wisconsin Retirement System employees who have jumped in and assessed what they know -- and need to do -- in order to improve their financial well-being.

The State of Wisconsin Investment Board has long been considered a public pension fund leader for its strong management of the Wisconsin Retirement System trust funds. SWIB is once again leading the way among public pension funds by implementing new technology that supports a move toward in-house investment management across multiple investment strategies.

Most people think that the key focus at the State of Wisconsin Investment Board is to "make money". However, equally important is managing risk -- and that means focusing on the aspects of investing that can be controlled. A solid understanding of risk in its different forms allows SWIB to better understand opportunities, trade-offs and costs involved with different investment approaches, and increases the chances that we will make money.

Over the course of two meetings (November 30, December 13), the Group Insurance Board (GIB) reviewed initial results and analysis from vendor proposals for health insurance program structural changes in 2018 that could include:

When should I request a retirement estimate and when should I apply? Do I need to come into your office when I decide to retire?

ETF is pleased to offer a convenient, new service for members who are within a year of retirement: virtual retirement appointments.

Two ETF-connected programs have been honored for their efforts to increase awareness of retirement planning and financial security.

We continually strive to ensure that you have a deep understanding of your Wisconsin Retirement System benefits in order to make fully informed decisions at every stage in your career. This includes providing quality, convenient and easily-accessible information and resources that work for you, on your timetable. For example:

Employees and their spouses/domestic partners enrolled in the State of Wisconsin or Wisconsin Public Employers Group Health Insurance Program now have access to an improved Well Wisconsin Program through StayWell. Use StayWell's secure wellness portal to earn your 2017 Well Wisconsin $150 incentive and access the tools and resources that will support you in achieving your health goals.

The Wisconsin Retirement System paid out more than $4.8 billion in benefits during 2015. Sound funding and plan design principles keep the WRS financially strong. It's the responsibility of the Department of Employee Trust Funds to report to you, the legislature and Wisconsinites about how the WRS is doing.

State of Wisconsin Investment Board Chief Investment Officer David Villa has been named to Chief Investment Officer magazine's Power 100 list.

ETF has been recognized for its strong commitment to performance excellence. The agency recently received a Challenger Recognition award, given by Wisconsin Forward Award, Inc. ETF is participating in a WFA initiative to implement best practices in several business areas and earn recognition for increasing organizational excellence. The award marks ETF's successful advancement through one of several milestones in the WFA initiative.

The issues discussed and decisions made by the five governing boards of the Wisconsin Retirement System affect the benefit programs administered by the Department of Employee Trust Funds. The 2017 meeting schedule for these boards has been set.

Every January the Department of Employee Trust Funds publishes a notice of individuals age 70 or older who have abandoned Wisconsin Retirement System accounts. Members or their heirs have 10 years after published notification to apply for the benefit.