Webinar Catalog

Thinking about retiring in the next 12 months? We’ll walk you through the process. You’ll learn how to:

• Choose a termination date.
• Request a retirement estimate.
• Read the retirement estimate.
• Schedule a retirement appointment.
• Submit a retirement application.

Looking to increase your WRS retirement? Learn how Additional Contributions can increase your WRS retirement benefit. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Define additional contributions
• Identify how additional contributions increase your retirement fund
• Arrange to make additional contributions to your WRS account(s)
• Find and use ETF resources to calculate your additional contribution amount

When you get your retirement estimate, you’ll see that there are many options for receiving your retirement benefit. You can choose to receive the payment for your life or extend it beyond your life to your loved ones. The choice is yours. We’ll discuss how each option impacts the size of your payment and affects your loved ones. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Define and explain annuity, annuitant, beneficiary and named survivor
• Compare the different annuity options
• Find resources with more information
• Identify the next steps for you to choose an annuity option

Death is never easy to talk about, but it’s important to know where your money is going. Learn what happens to your WRS account when you pass away, why it's important to designate a beneficiary and the importance of keeping your account up to date. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Define beneficiary and standard sequence
• Explain the importance of a beneficiary form
• Identify who or what could be a beneficiary
• Select the appropriate beneficiary form
• Update your beneficiary

You may increase your retirement benefit by buying service if you have:

• Taken a separation benefit from the WRS
• Or worked for another government employer

By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Identify if you are eligible to purchase service
• Define the different types of service that may be purchased
• Explain how purchasing service increases your benefit
• Take steps to purchase service
• Find resources for more information

Did you know that when you retire can change how much money you get in retirement? We'll discuss how retiring throughout the year can change your retirement benefit. We'll also answer one of the most common questions we receive: "Should I retire in December or January?" By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Define Wisconsin Retirement System termination date and WRS benefit effective date
• Research and prepare to choose a benefit effective date
• Choose a benefit effective date to receive your best benefit
• Find resources to help you choose a benefit effective date

Curious about how much money you’ll get during retirement? Our most used online tool, the retirement calculator, lets you see how much money you may get in the future. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Find information on your Statement of Benefits used for calculations
• Enter information into the WRS Retirement Benefits Calculator
• See an unofficial estimate of your WRS Retirement Benefits online

If you choose to continue your life insurance after you retire, you’ll see some changes. We’ll discuss:

• Your ability to continue coverage into retirement.
• How your coverage will change.
• How to convert your plan to pay for health or long-term care insurance through the WRS.

**Please note: This webinar only applies if you have life insurance coverage under the State of Wisconsin Group Life Insurance Program (Securian Financial Group). Check with your employer if you are not sure.

When you first retire, you may experience several changes. We'll help prepare you for some of these changes by discussing the following:

• Explain your annuity payment and why it may change
• Identify mailings you will receive during retirement
• Be aware of life changes during retirement that may affect your benefits

Are you new to the Wisconsin Retirement System? We’ll let you know what to expect. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Identify and explain the elements of the Wisconsin Retirement System
• Explain how the WRS pension works
• Identify benefits available through the WRS
• Find resources for more information

Planning to retire in the next 5 years? Then this presentation is for you. Learn about your WRS benefits and the retirement process. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Explain how the WRS retirement benefit works
• Recognize eligibility and prepare to apply for benefits
• Identify the different types of annuity options
• Prepare for health and life insurance changes in retirement
• Find additional resources

Thinking about returning to work after retirement? We’ll discuss the rules you need to follow to make sure you don’t lose your benefits.

Your annual Statement of Benefits shows you the current state of your WRS account. Not sure about something on your statement? Watch this webinar with your statement in hand. We’ll walk you through each section. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Explain the purpose of the Statement of Benefits (ET-7365)
• Analyze the sections of your Statement of Benefits
• Interpret your retirement benefit calculations
• Find resources for more information

Does putting money in the Variable Fund make sense for you? You and your employer put money in to your WRS account to save for your future. The money in your account is then invested to increase your savings. By default, your money goes into the Core Fund, but you can choose to put half your money into the Variable Fund. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Define Variable Trust Fund and explain how it works
• Analyze how the Variable Fund can affect your retirement benefit
• Elect to join or cancel the Variable Fund

Are you a new employee or someone who still has at least 5 years to go before you can retire? It's never too early to start planning for a secure retirement. Learn how to maximize your WRS benefits. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Appreciate the benefits of the Wisconsin Retirement System
• Designate a beneficiary or several beneficiaries
• Join or cancel the Variable Fund
• Use additional contributions to supplement your savings for retirement

Each year you may see changes to the amount of your retirement payment. We’ll discuss why and how these changes happen. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Define WRS effective rate and annuity adjustment
• Explain how the Core Trust Fund and Variable Trust Fund effective rates are calculated
• Explain how the Core Trust Fund and Variable Trust Fund annuity adjustments are calculated

Do you know how the WRS and your benefits are funded? Find out how your employee- and employer-required contributions fund the WRS and why the contribution rates can change each year. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Define Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) contribution rates
• Describe how contribution rates are calculated
• Describe why the rates change every year
• Find contribution rates and WRS investment performance information

Have you requested a retirement estimate? Thinking about it? In this presentation we’ll discuss how we calculate your retirement benefit. By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Explain the individual components of the two retirement benefit calculation methods
• Describe what affects your WRS retirement benefit for each type of calculation (money purchase and formula)