During my first year as executive director of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB), I had the pleasure of meeting people from across the state that are part of the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). In talking with active public employees, employers and retirees, I was given the opportunity to discuss the WRS, its unique design and SWIB’s performance to ensure the system meets its obligations today and in the future. It was encouraging to hear from participants that they believe in the system and are thankful that the WRS is not facing many of the same problems other public pension funds across the country are facing. However, those same participants I talked with all wanted to know what SWIB is doing to protect the solid foundation of the WRS, given the volatile economic times in which we live.