As 2015 begins, I am pleased to report that your Wisconsin Retirement System remains very strong, stable, and able to play a key role in helping to meet your financial needs in retirement. Due to SWIB’s investment performance over the last several years, and the unique, gain/loss-sharing benefit structure of the WRS, overall employee and employer contribution rates will be lower this year, active employee accounts will be credited with a healthy effective rate, and retirees will see another solid increase in their annuities this spring.