Retirement Resources
Whether you are a new employee learning about your Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) benefits for the first time, a mid-career employee looking to boost your retirement savings, a member planning to retire, or a retiree, we strive to have the information you need for a successful retirement.
City of Madison Resources
- Benefits During Retirement: Check out this page for more details on benefit(s) continuation and eligibility in retirement.
- Preparing for Retirement: This page provides a useful timeline and overview of the retirement planning process, including links to related resources.
- Retirement Planning Courses: Review retirement-related learning options from the City, ETF, Deferred Compensation providers, and more!
Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) Resources
- Saving for Retirement: Take an active interest in your retirement plan and learn more about how to maximize your benefit for retirement. No matter what age you are in your road to retirement, it is never too early or too late to start saving and planning.
- Applying for Retirement: Deciding to retire may be the hardest part of the entire process. ETF can help you master the next steps so that you make decisions that are right for you. If you decide to end WRS employment due to a disability, contact ETF about your eligibility for disability benefits before applying for a retirement benefit. Taking a retirement benefit may affect your eligibility for disability benefits. See ETF's Disability Benefits page for more information.
- Living in Retirement: Enjoy the comfortable retirement you've planned and deserve. Stay informed about your WRS benefits with topics from annuity adjustments to health insurance to wellness. Keep receiving information by notifying ETF of any changes to your information such as address, beneficiary or direct deposits at our My Info section.
- WRS Retirement Benefits Calculator: This is a great tool to help you estimate your retirement benefit option(s).
- Required Minimum Distribution: Once you stop working for a Wisconsin Retirement System employer, federal law requires you to begin receiving your benefit payment(s) by a certain date, depending on your age. This is called a required minimum distribution (RMD).
- Health Benefits in Retirement: Health insurance eligibility in retirement primarily depends on 1) whether you were enrolled in City health insurance at the time of retirement, and 2) Whether you are taking an immediate WRS annuity.
- WRS Statements of Benefits: You can review past WRS Statements of Benefits online via the My Benefits portal. For help on accessing My Benefits, see the My Benefits Help page.
ETF Member Education Webpage
ETF offers a variety of educational resources for members to easily learn about and manage their benefits. On the ETF Member Education webpage, you can find Videos and Live Webinars on topics such as:
- Health Insurance
- Early- to Mid-Career Retirement Planning
- Getting Ready for Retirement
- Your Benefits in Retirement
- Saving and Investing
- WRS Beneficiary Designations
Schedule an Appointment with ETF
If you are planning to retire within the next year, you may schedule a benefits counseling appointment. Before scheduling an appointment, you must have received a Retirement Benefit Estimate and Application (ET-4301) or a Disability Benefit Estimate and Application (ET-5302).
To schedule an appointment, please use the convenient appointment scheduling system or call ETF at 1-877-533-5020. Choose from the following appointment types:
- Individual (one-on-one with a specialist) conducted via phone
- Individual (one on-one with a specialist), conducted online
- Group (up to 12 participants with a specialist), conducted online
Please call ETF at 1-877-533-5020 to schedule an appointment if:
- You need to schedule a “double” appointment with another WRS member to review both accounts
- If you need an interpreter
Please note that wait times for appointments can be up to 6 weeks, depending on availability - so the sooner you call, the better.