Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)
Program Overview
Description: Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) participation is automatic for all eligible employees, with coverage beginning on the first day an employee is eligible. The required 2012 contribution is 11.8% of your gross earnings—a 5.9% employee share and a 5.9% employer share. The employee share is deducted on a pre-tax basis. Your retirement income will be based on your years of service, your age at retirement, and the average of your highest three years of earnings or based on the total cash value of your account, whichever is greater. WRS also provides death, permanent disability, and separation benefits.
There is a five year vesting requirement if you were hired on or after July 1, 2011 and have no WRS credible service prior to July 1, 2011. You are immediately vested if you have WRS service prior to July 1, 2011.
Employees hired on July 1, 2011 or later are required to complete an affidavit to show if they have previously worked for a WRS employer. Prior work for a WRS employer may affect your benefit options.
WRS consists of a Core Fund and a Variable Fund. By default, 100% of retirement contributions are deposited in the Core Fund, which is a diversified fund with investments in stocks, bonds and more. If you elect to participate in the Variable Fund, 50% of the required contributions and additional contributions made after your election will be deposited in the Variable Fund. The Variable Fund is invested in stocks only. Unlike the Core Fund, there is no limit on Variable Fund annuity decreases.
Each year you will receive a Statement of Benefits from the WI Department of Employee Trust Funds, which contains important WRS account information that will eventually be used in benefit calculations.
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Administered by
WI Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF)
ETF manages individual WRS accounts and benefits.
Contact Information: Contact ETF
Madison: (608) 266-3285 / Toll-free: (877) 533-5020
Investment Management
State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) | Brochure
SWIB is responsible for investing the assets of the WRS. With more than $83.8 billion in assets as of December 31, 2010, the WRS is the 9th largest public pension fund in the United States and 30th largest pension fund in the world.
Contact Information: Contact SWIB
Madison: (608) 267-0957 / Toll-free: (800) 424-7942
Publications
Forms
Beneficiary Designation
Beneficiary Designation, ET-2320Additional Contribution Election
- Voluntary Additional Retirement Contribution Election, UW1069
- Maximum Additional Contributions Worksheet, ET-2566
Election to Participate in the Variable Trust Fund
Election to Participate in the Variable Trust Fund, ET-2356Your Variable Trust Fund participation will become effective on the January 1 after the date your election is received. If you are a new WRS participant and ETF receives your Variable Trust Fund election form within 30 days after the date your WRS-covered employment begins, your election becomes effective immediately on the date your employment began.
Affidavit of Prior WRS Employment
Affidavit of Employment With A Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Participating Employer Prior To July 1, 2011, UWS94Department of Employee Trust Funds Webcasts
Video Library Page | Webcast Participants Page | Technical Advice Page
The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) Video Library enables participants to view presentations, training sessions, and other ETF-sponsored events. To view a webcast, go to the Video Library Page, review the necessary computer requirements, and then click on the Webcast Participants Page.
If you are having problems and your computer meets the system requirements, visit Sonic Foundry's Troubleshooting Mediasite Playback web resource for tips on troubleshooting your computer and more information on Player features.