ETF has published its first annual report presenting key information and statistics about the state’s $1.6 billion Group Health Insurance Program covering some 240,0000 current and retired public employees and their families.
Under state law, monthly Wisconsin Retirement System annuity payments are payable on the first day of the month. The chart below shows upcoming 2019 payments affected when the first falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday.
The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF), including all customer service phone lines, will be closed for business Monday, May 27, 2019, due to the Memorial Day observance. Wisconsin Retirement System members are encouraged to utilize the ETF Internet site to view and print forms, brochures and other information. Regular office hours and Customer Service Call Center hours (see below) will resume on Tuesday, May 28.
Office Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Customer Service Call Center Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
A recent survey on how participants in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program are managing out-of-pocket costs points to the need for more help navigating their health care benefits and expenses.
ETF partnered with the Center for Financial Security (CFS) at the University of Wisconsin La Follette School of Public Affairs to survey participants about how perceptions of costs influence their health care decisions.
The Group Insurance Board has approved changes to the 2020 Uniform Benefits covered under the state's Group Health Insurance Program.
The benefit changes were recommended by ETF, based on feedback from participants, constituent groups and health plans. The Board also reviewed new reports from ETF for monitoring program outcomes and health plan performance.
Were you previously in the Variable Trust Fund? If so, your Wisconsin Retirement System account has either a “residual Variable excess” or a “residual Variable deficiency”. This is the difference between your current account balance and what your balance would be if you had never participated in the Variable Fund.
Did you know you can “roll in” (consolidate) non-WRS retirement savings from other qualified plans into your Wisconsin Deferred Compensation account? Watch for an opportunity to try the My Total Retirement program free for 90 days. Read the latest WDC quarterly newsletter.