By Tarna Hunter, ETF Budget and Management Director
Wisconsin’s 2025-2027 biennial budget bill (2025 Act 15) became law on July 3, 2025.Â
The budget bill provides ETF one-time funding of $71 million to support the replacement of the agency’s antiquated pension administration system.
ETF currently operates a portfolio of legacy systems that are 11 to 38 years old.Â
The current systems significantly increase agency risks related to information security, fulfillment of business objectives, financial costs, and agency reputation.
ETF has embarked on multiple projects intended to lessen these risks and enhance the quality of service we provide.Â
The funding will provide the resources to support the successful implementation of the new pension administration system.
Return-to-Work Proposals
ETF continues to monitor return-to-work proposals introduced as Senate (SB) and Assembly (AB) Bills this session.
2025 SB 170 and AB 196 seek to allow an annuitant to return to work for a WRS employer, work two-thirds of full time, and elect to not become a participating WRS employee, and instead continue to receive their annuity for up to 60 months. Recently, lawmakers proposed an amendment to remove the 60-month limitation.
These bills do not require an employee contribution from the rehired annuitant but require WRS employers hiring these annuitants to make payments equal to the amount as required contributions for an active employee.
2025 SB 301 and AB 376 seek to eliminate the annuity suspension requirement for WRS annuitants who return to work for a WRS employer and work more than two-thirds of full time. The bills also reduce the required break in service from 75 days to 30 days.
2025 SB 35 and AB 36 seek to allow an annuitant who was a law enforcement officer or firefighter to return to work for a WRS employer, work two-thirds of full time, and elect to not become a participating WRS employee, and instead continue to receive their annuity.
2025 SB 105 and AB 138 seek to allow an annuitant who was a WRS protective occupation participant or county jailer who was not a WRS protective occupation participant to return to work for a WRS employer, work two-thirds of full time, and elect to not become a participating WRS employee, and instead continue to receive their annuity.