Department News
Feb 21, 2024 3:50pm

GIB Approves Benefit Changes for 2025

The Group Insurance Board today approved benefit changes for the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program for the 2025 plan year.

WRS News Online for Employees
Jan 31, 2024 5:30pm Jan 2024 Edition
A happy group of five older men and women with diverse racial backgrounds

Wisconsin Pensions Reduce Poverty Across Retiree Demographics

A UC Berkeley study found that Wisconsin retirees with pension income are less likely to experience economic hardships, with public pensions significantly narrowing the racial, gender, and education wealth gap among older families compared to private pensions.

WRS News Online for Employees
Jan 31, 2024 5:30pm Jan 2024 Edition
Colorful artwork depicting bar chart and growth

Effective Rates of Interest Projected to Increase in 2024

Based on positive preliminary figures of 2023 investment performance, ETF projects that employees’ effective rates of interest will increase for both Core and Variable Funds this year.

WRS News Online for Employees
Jan 31, 2024 5:30pm Jan 2024 Edition
Cover page of Pew report

WRS Among Well-Funded Pensions in the U.S.

A recent report by The Pew Charitable Trusts identified key WRS practices that make the Badger State one of the “well-funded states with tools to manage risk,” highlighting how other states could learn from the Wisconsin experience.

WRS News Online for Employees
Jan 31, 2024 5:00pm Jan 2024 Edition
ETF Budget and Management Director Tarna Hunter

ETF Monitors Legislative Bills Introduced in 2023

ETF Budget and Management Director Tarna Hunter summarizes several Wisconsin Legislature proposals that, if passed, will affect rehired teacher and protective service annuitants. Other bills are also being monitored by ETF.

WRS News Online for Employees
Jan 31, 2024 5:00pm Jan 2024 Edition
ETF Secretary John Voelker

Secretary Voelker: Strength Through Resilience

It seemed like a normal Friday evening in May. It was a nice way to end a long week. Never would I have thought that during the night things would go from enjoyable to scary.

WRS News Online for Employees
Jan 31, 2024 5:00pm Jan 2024 Edition
SWIB Executive Director Edwin Denson

Denson: Trust Funds Weather Volatile Market in 2023

"It ain’t over till it’s over." That was certainly true for 2023. Just when it looked like many of the same issues that investors faced in 2022 would hold down returns, 2023 finished strong.