WRS News Online - Sept 2023 edition

The process to elect members to the ETF Board and the Teachers Retirement Board has begun! There are seats available for teachers and educational support personnel.

Wisconsin’s 2023-25 biennial budget bill became law on July 5, 2023. Here is a summary of the provisions that relate to ETF and support our commitment to providing exceptional and dependable service, along with other legislation and proposals.

Beginning January 1, 2024, county correctional officers (jailers) who are currently categorized as general category employees will become protective occupation employees under the WRS, unless they opt out.

From stocks to bonds, asset classes have been impacted by high inflation, rising interest rates, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. But were venture capital and private debt investments the exception?

ETF has new web pages on financial power of attorney documents and guardianship orders. You'll find information and resources on these important topics and how they pertain to WRS benefits.

The 2024 health benefits open enrollment period is set for September 25–October 20. Premium rates will increase in 2024 for participating state and local government employees. Read about highlights of changes in 2024 so you can make informed decisions.

Group Health Insurance Program members: There’s still time to earn your Well Wisconsin incentive; get your flu vaccine this fall; and conquer world peace (or at least your health) with coaching.

Each year’s health benefits open enrollment period provides members the opportunity to change health plans within the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program. When considering a change in health plans, there are several things you may want to consider.

Lingering concerns from geopolitical crises to inflation and rising interest rates, along with the continued possibility of a recession, have created a unique set of circumstances for investors to navigate. SWIB’s Head Economist and Asset and Risk Allocation Chief Investment Officer Todd Mattina discussed the global economy on a recent episode of The SWIB Podcast.

Register for the popular "Your Steppingstones to Retirement" webinar on November 15 or watch the recorded session any time. Check out the financial wellness educational materials and tools on the WDC website, as well as general updates for WDC participants.

Q: I want to resolve a WRS benefit dispute. Where do I begin?

Standard & Poor’s recently released a report assigning the WRS a AAA issuer credit rating with a “Stable” outlook. This rating is an acknowledgment of the robust processes, written procedures, and risk management discipline that SWIB has built over several decades, as well as the strong funding status of the WRS.

SWIB’s Ryan Johnston has been named an AlphaEdge Rising Star by Institutional Investor magazine. The AlphaEdge awards recognize distinguished allocators across a number of accomplishments including thought leadership, innovation, and alpha generation.

In May SWIB moved to a newly finished building in the Madison Yards development on Madison’s near west side. The new modern workspace and building is part of the 21-acre complex that includes a 600,000-square-foot State of Wisconsin office building that opened in 2018 and houses SWIB’s sister agency, ETF.

Review changes that will simplify the Income Continuation Insurance Program for state and local employees, effective in 2024. Coverage and benefits also have been expanded to employees aged 70 or older.

Gov. Tony Evers has appointed Tom Merfeld to the SWIB Board of Trustees. Evers has also reappointed Trustees Jeff DeAngelis, public member, and Kristi Palmer, local government member, to six-year terms.

ETF offers in-person group retirement appointments statewide and will be in your area this fall. Learn more about group retirement appointments and see the schedule.

State employees: Make sure you know how the accumulated sick leave credit conversion program works before you retire. Watch our three-part video series.

Review ETF's Notice of Privacy Practices.

Find out when the governing boards of the WRS and the SWIB Board of Trustees are scheduled to meet, and how to send correspondence to the boards.