The Wisconsin Retirement System is one of the largest and strongest public retirement plans in the nation. The 547,289 participants in 2007 made up 12.8% of the state’s 4.3 million population ages 18 or older.

The system’s 2006 funding ratio—which measures the degree to which future costs are fully funded—of 99.6% ranked it among the top 10 strongest nationally.

While employer and employee contributions are used to fund the system, over time, public sector employees have negotiated employer pickup of virtually all costs. In 2006, employers made 98% of total contributions, above the national average of 68%.

Significant losses in 2008 are likely to lead to reduced benefits to current retirees and higher employer costs over the next several years...

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