By John Voelker, ETF Secretary
My youngest son recently got married. It is one of those significant life events that make you pause and reflect.
As I sat in the front row and watched the ceremony, I reflected on the fact that he was starting the next chapter in his life. As a parent, you have a sense of pride—especially when you know his new wife is someone who loves and supports him, which will allow him to be the best version of himself. It is very gratifying to witness.
On a professional level, I took some time over the holidays to pause and reflect on the future of ETF. I realized it is also the right time for me to start a new chapter in my life. I have notified the ETF Board that I intend to retire at the end of July.
This was not an easy decision because I have been fortunate to lead an organization that is made up of dedicated people committed to supporting members, and each other, to make ETF into its best version.
It was very gratifying to witness the growth and progress of the agency during my time at ETF. With recent achievements, I am as convinced as ever that ETF’s future is bright.
Last year we made non-retirees’ statement of benefits available online. This was an initial step toward better supporting our members with online access to benefit information and services.
Members demonstrated the need for online access by downloading over 126,000 duplicate copies of the 2025 statements. Not only is this better service, but it also saves staff time and postage costs.
This year, we will continue the implementation of our new insurance administration system known as My Insurance Benefits. Members will have the ability to manage various insurance benefits in a modern and intuitive system.
Thanks to constructive budget discussions with the administration and members of the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF), we have secured funding for a new pension administration system.
The project will kick off later this year and replace numerous different systems that are 16-38 years old.
This will mark significant progress, as recognized by the JCF in its statement: “Our investment to modernize the WRS pension administration system not only serves our current annuitants but ensures the system will be able to serve Wisconsinites for years to come.”
I have viewed my role at ETF as a partner who was always there to do what I could to support the agency in becoming its best version. With the beginning of a multi-year effort to implement a new pension administration system, it is the right time for ETF to transition to a new leader who can be there to lead that effort for the duration of the project.
As I pause and reflect on my tenure as Secretary, I have a sense of pride. It is not quite the same as watching your child get married, but it is that sense of pride you get from witnessing the achievements of those you care about.
ETF staff are the epitome of public servants. Their commitment to customers and the resolve to continually improve puts ETF in a position to be its best version. You are in good hands.