What’s at stake?
Despite the health and success of the Wisconsin Retirement System, a component in Governor Walker’s 2011-2013 budget required a study of the system. The study is set to look at changes that, if enacted, would cause great concern to public school employees and others who have invested into the WRS.

What you should know about the WRS
It’s working. Wisconsin takes great pride in the quality and efficiency of the WRS. The system, as it exists today, is healthy and well managed.

It’s a model for other systems. With a sound structure well positioned to pay all of its benefit promises now and in the future, the WRS stands out from other systems and is a leader in stability in uncertain economic times.1

1 The Pew Center on the States: pewcenteronthestates.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewcenteronthestatesorg/Initiatives/R_and_D/Trillion_Dollar_Gap_factsheets_Wisconsin.pdf

Unnecessary changes could be risky. Why jeopardize a well-run organization? This study proposal is just another example of extreme legislation aimed at public employees, initiated by the same politicians who voted to silence the voices of educators and balance the state budget on the backs of working families. We cannot allow the retirement benefits families rely on to be put in jeopardy and possibly destabilized because of political attacks. After all of your investments, your retirement shouldn’t be changed on a whim with new legislation.

Your retirement is stable as it is. Your benefit plan (a defined benefit pension plan) allows you to plan your retirement with a modest, predictable monthly benefit. Switching to a defined contribution plan (as has been the case in similar situations) comes with higher risks, new costs, lower investment returns, and variable benefits – negatively impacting the delayed salary you invested in your career.

The WRS: Your pension plan
The Wisconsin Retirement System is the pension plan for most public school employees and those who work in local and state government. With more than 572,200 members (active workers and retirees), the WRS is the ninth-largest public pension in the country and 30th in the world. Its track record of successful management makes it well positioned to pay all of its benefit promises now and in the future.

We know that privatization doesn’t work in our schools – and it won’t work for our retirement investments. The same people behind an extreme agenda who put forth laws enacting anti-collective bargaining laws, Voter ID restrictions, privatization schemes, corporate tax cuts and more are behind this latest attack on public workers. The potential for new fees and complex changes would cut into the retirement benefits you and your colleagues have earned – affecting educators now and into the future.

This is your money
Defined benefit pension plans are delayed compensation. This is your salary invested to aid you during retirement. Your retirement benefit is paid out in the form of an annuity. Annuities provide monthly retirement benefits for your entire life, no matter how long you and your spouse live.
A switch to defined contribution plans (which has been proposed in similar situations) such as 401(k)s would come with higher risks and higher costs for you and other public-sector workers. 401(k)s don’t provide a guaranteed benefit for life.

This is our state’s infrastructure
Wisconsin’s assets are invested in Wisconsin businesses – in 2010 financial stewards of the WRS invested more than $12 billion in companies with economic ties to our state.2 These investments mean tens of thousands of jobs here in Wisconsin and tax growth from new economic activity.3 Additionally, more than 90 percent of the retirees in the WRS live in Wisconsin, providing economic growth with their investments.4
2 State of Wisconsin Investment Board: swib.state.wi.us/InvestWisc.aspx
3 National Institute on Retirement Security: nirsonline.org/storage/nirs/documents/factsheet_WI.pdf
4 Department of Employee Trust Funds: etf.wi.gov/news/ht_20090706.htm
5 Department of Employee Trust Funds: etf.wi.gov/news/WPRIResponse22010.pdf

Fast facts: The WRS
Pension benefits are part of employees’ compensation – just like salaries. They are delayed benefits that come into play in retirement.

WRS is unique in that public employers, employees and retirees share in the risks and rewards of the investments. Taxpayers are not solely at risk if there are investment fluctuations.5

Unlike pensions in other states, WRS benefits earned by today’s employees and retirees are fully funded – they will not be paid by future employees.

The risks are real
The Wisconsin Retirement System is one of the best run, best funded and most secure retirement systems in the nation. Walker’s study committee will look at two components: changing benefit plans to 401(k)-style investments and allowing employees to “opt out” of the system. Both of these proposals stand to destabilize the system for everyone who depends on the WRS for their retirement. Politicians should not play politics with families’ livelihood.

Remember, this affects you – whether you’re retired or not!
We all want stability in our retirement investments. If you’re already retired, you want to make sure the benefits you rely on are well managed and secure. If you’re still in the profession, you want to know that your continued investments will be there when you get older.
Protecting a stable system managing your investments is common sense for anyone who cares about their retirement. That’s why the WRS needs to continue its successful mission and be sheltered from a political agenda that could destabilize the benefits hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites and their families count on.

When: February 7, 2012
What: REUC Meeting
Who: REUC Board
Where: REA/REAA Office
Time: 4:15PM

When: February 8, 2012
What: REA High School Caucus
Who: High School REA Members
Where: REA/REAA Office
Time: 3:30PM

When: February 8, 2012
What: REAA Executive Board Meeting
Who: REAA Executive Board
Where: REA/REAA Office
Time: 4:45PM

When: February 9, 2012
What: REA PAC Meeting
Who: REA PAC Members
Where: REA/REAA Office
Time: 4:30PM

Voter Registration
Voter registration is prohibited the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday before an election.
Same day registration is still allowed on Election Day at the polls.

Residence requirement: In order to vote in a Wisconsin district, a voter must have lived in Wisconsin for 28 consecutive days before the election. Proof of residence is required if voters register within 20 days of the election, if voters register at the polls, and for first time Wisconsin voters registering by mail. Neighbors may no longer vouch for a voter as proof of residence. Acceptable forms of proof must show your name and street address, and be the original document, such as
• A Wisconsin driver’s license or ID card
• A recent utility bill issued in last 90 days
• A bank statement issued in last 90 days
• A paycheck issued in last 90 days

Procedures at the polling place

Say It
As always, you’ll need to state your address and full name for the election official. They’ll check for your information in the poll book.

Show It
Next, you’ll need to show your photo ID. Poll workers will compare your face to the photo and make sure it is you. Acceptable IDs are listed below. Your ID should look like you; however, the address on your ID does NOT have to be current and the name on your ID does NOT have to be an exact match – Sue/Susan, Bob/Robert are OK. Last names on the ID must conform to the voter’s registration

Sign It
Finally, you’ll sign the poll book (unless a physical disability prevents it). Your signature or mark goes next to your name and address. After you sign, you’ll be ready to vote. If you cannot sign due to disability, let the poll worker know and the inspectors will either write exempt by your name or, if the inspectors do not agree, they will challenge the ballot, but you will still be able to cast a ballot.

Procedures for Early or Absentee Voting
In person early voting timeline: Early voting time has been reduced from one month before the election to two weeks prior to the election. Early voting now begins the 15th day before the election and ends the Friday before the election. The early voting window is the two full weeks prior to the election. In person early voting may NOT occur the weekend or Monday prior to the election.

Absentee ballot requests by mail: Absentee requests for ballots sent by mail must include a photocopy of an acceptable form of voter ID. Once you have sent the clerk’s office a copy of your ID, you will not need to send copies with future absentee ballot requests unless you change your name or address.

Absentee ballot requests by email or fax: If you request an absentee ballot by email or fax, you must either include a photocopy of an acceptable ID with your request or include it in your envelope when you return your absentee ballot.

Photo ID
An acceptable photo ID must be shown before voters can receive a ballot. Acceptable IDs do NOT have to have a current address. Names do NOT have to be an exact match. Acceptable forms of IDs include:
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued driver license, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended
• A Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card
• A Military ID card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
• U.S. passport
NOTE: The above IDs are acceptable for voting purposes, and can be unexpired or expired after the date of the most recent general election (currently, the November 2, 2010 election).

• An unexpired Wisconsin DOT-issued driving receipt
• An unexpired Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card receipt
• An ID card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin
• An unexpired ID card issued by a Wisconsin-accredited university or college that contains:
o Date of issuance
o Signature of student
o Expiration date not later than two years after the date of issuance
• A certificate of naturalization that was issued not earlier than two years before the date of the election at which it is presented

For information on how to obtain a free photo ID before the election, please visit the DOT’s website:
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/idcard.htm