News

7/7/15 -- Breaking News:  Republicans say they’ll drop proposed changes to JSCRS. 

"Swift and strong outcry from current and retired

public employees prompted majority

Republicans in the Legislature on Tuesday to

eliminate a state budget provision that would

have changed the makeup of a committee

overseeing the Wisconsin Retirement System."  (WSJ, 7/7/15)

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY: The Joint Finance Committee passed an amendment to the state budget (Budget Modifications #999) that changes the composition of the Joint Survey on Retirement Systems Committee (JSRSC). They want to load the committee with appointed legislators so they can rush through any changes they want to the WRS.

The JSRSC was created in 1947 and currently is composed of legislate members from both parties along with representatives from the public, the Department of Employee Trust Funds, the Attorney General, and the Insurance Commissioner.

The Committee would become entirely APPOINTED legislators under Joint Finance's proposal.

Read ETF's description of JSRSC

Read POWRS' description of Change

Read POWRS' sample letter

READ WSJ Article - Dropped Changes

Cities And States Paying Massive Secret Fees To Wall Street: An analysis suggests as much as half of pension fees paid to private equity firms aren't being disclosed.

Read the article here.

By Jill Hynum

I attended the biennial convention of the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans (WiARA) recently.  The National ARA was founded in 2001 and was the first retiree’s organization to affiliate with the AFL-CIO.  The Wisconsin chapter was founded in 2005.  Below are some tidbits from the convention. 

John Nichols gave his usual rip roaring talk.  He talked about what a misnomer “right to work” is.  It suggests you have a right to a job which of course it doesn’t deliver.  He talked about all the limitations the employer can impose.  Don’t want to wear the silly uniform?  You have a right to work … elsewhere.  Don’t like closing up at midnight and returning to open at 5:30 am?  You have a right to work … elsewhere.  Don’t like forcing an artificial smile all day?  You have a right to work … elsewhere. 

To read the rest of the notes, click here

By Jill Hynum

The Wisconsin Coalition of Annuitants (WCOA) held its 24^th Annual Conference on May 18.  The WCOA consists of statewide and regional organizations representing retirees in the Wisconsin Retirement System, and may include active as well as retired participants in the system. The Coalition is committed to achieve the most effective and efficient operation of the Wisconsin Retirement System, free from political interference with policy and investment decisions.

Update on WRS

Matt Stohr, Administrator of the Division of Retirement Services  at the Department of Employee Trust Funds, gave us an update on the WRS.  His presentation should be available soon on either the ETF or WCOA website.  Some statistics:

To Read report, click here

A Wisconsin Coalition for Retirement Security Report

MILWAUKEE, WI - Referencing annual reports by the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust funds, as well as a study of the Wisconsin Retirement System ordered by Governor Walker in 2011, the Wisconsin Coalition for Retirement Security warns that the proposal to privatize Milwaukee Public Schools - currently under consideration by the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee - will have serious repercussions for state retirees and taxpayers.

Read the rest of the article here.

A POWRS Report

The situation is stark. Woefully few Americans have properly saved for retirement! Even those with access to 401 (k)'s have not saved enough. WI is not immune to these national trends.A shocking 22% of all seniors above age 65 depend upon Social Security for 90% or more of their income (AARP)

Read More Here

Mark your calendars for Monday, March 2^nd, 2015 . The Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans 6^th biennial convention will be held at the Concourse Hotel and Conference Center, 1 West Dayton Street in downtown Madison. The Convention begins at 8:00 a.m. with a continental breakfast and will adjourn at 3:00 p.m.

Guest speakers include Dean Baker, Center for Economic and Policy Research; Ruth Conniff, Progressive Magazine; John Nichols, Nation Magazine and Madison Capital Times; Rich Fiesta, Alliance for Retired Americans; In addition, United States Senator Tammy Baldwin has been invited to speak.

The registration fee is $50.00 and covers continental breakfast, lunch and parking at the Concourse Hotel.

More Details.

December 3, 2014 -- "Koch-tied Group Pushes New Union Busting Bill in Wisconsin" (from PRWatch.org)

Read the article.

On October 13, Bob Beglinger received recognition for his activism on behalf of Wisconsin seniors.  He received the award from the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans (WiARA) during their 19th annual Senior Power Luncheon.  Congratulations Bob! 

At the same luncheon, Leon Burzynski recieved the organization's first Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and commitment working on behalf of retirees and all older Americans.