ETF Board Announces 2016 WRS Contribution Rates
Ben Barth
Department of Employee Trust Funds
June 25, 2015
WRS Required Contributions to Decrease in 2016
Contribution rates for most Wisconsin Retirement System employers and employees will decrease for 2016. The following rate changes were recommended by the WRS consulting actuary in its annual valuation of the system and approved by the Employee Trust Funds Board today:
Why are contribution rates decreasing?
While many complex factors affect WRS contribution rates, the decrease is primarily due to trust fund investment gains experienced over the past five years (2010-2014).
Contribution rate changes, whether increases or decreases, are considered normal for retirement systems that have defined benefits. The rates, effective January 1, 2016, are expressed as a percentage of pay and are shown below.
Note: Contribution rates may be different for employees who have collective bargaining agreements. Other mandatory employer contributions for duty disability, the state's Accumulated Sick Leave Conversion Credit Program, or unfunded liabilities are not included and vary by employer.