GTCREA NEWS. September 2017 GTCREA BOARD OF DIRESTORS

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1 .. GTCREA NEWS September 2017 (Photo courtesy of Greg Lebrick, GTC Marketing Specialist-Creative) GTCREA BOARD OF DIRESTORS 1 ST row: C. Gacek-Treasurer, E. Knudson-President, M. Meyer-Secretary and D. Dosemagen-Vice President. 2 nd row: W. Qureshi, S. Stills, J. Stills, J. Haley-Renaud, and B. Marcella. Message from the President, HELP WANTED!!! This header isn't a cry for workers for the proposed FOXCONN or HARIBO companies that have made the local news lately, though adding up to 13,400 jobs is a significant addition to the southeast Wisconsin population. This need is for you as a member to consider serving on the GTCREA Board of Directors. We have several openings on the Board due to health-related issues for some of our long serving members. As they say, we aren't spring chickens anymore and as we get older health issues either for ourselves or those close to us change our daily lives. It s always good to add new blood to any organizations to gain different perspectives and hear alternatives to issues that are important to the organization. Serving on the Board is not especially time consuming. We meet every month, the third Wednesday, for an hour to discuss relevant issues. We take July off each year since that seems to be the month most people on our Board have used for traveling. Serving on the Board also 1

2 helps to re-connect you with former co-workers. The current Board is shown elsewhere in this newsletter so you can see who currently is on the Board. I would highly encourage you to seriously consider serving on the Board. You are welcome to come to any Board meeting to see how we operate. If you have any questions or suggestions, you can talk with any Board member or feel free to contact me at or via at quest4ed@yahoo.com. I look forward to your call or . Respectfully, Ed Knudson, GTCREA President. WISCONSIN RETIREMENT SYSTEM TRUST FUNDS INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE Preliminary Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Investment Performance* Calendar year 2017 as of July 31, 2017 Core Trust Fund: 9.6% (Benchmark: 9.4%) Variable Trust Fund: 13.3% (Benchmark: 13.3%) *Preliminary returns are estimated returns, subject to final portfolio and benchmark valuation. Preliminary Value of WRS Assets under Management as of July 31, 2017 Core Trust Fund: $96.4 billion Variable Trust Fund: $7.6 billion Total: $104 billion The WRS is the 9 th largest public pension fund in the U.S. and 25 th largest public private pension fund in the world. Visit if you would like more information regarding the Core/Value Funds; the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) Information on WRS Performance; and the SWIB s Benchmarks. LEGISLATION The ETF monitors state and federal legislation that may affect the Wisconsin Retirement System pension, insurance and other benefit programs. They also assist legislators, government officials and other stakeholders by providing information on ETF-administered WRS benefit programs, developing legislation and policy proposals and helping with constituent inquiries. Visit for information. In the Government Relations section, you will find: 2

3 Proposed Wisconsin legislation and laws affecting the WRS and ETF Federal issues and legislation WRS fact sheets, studies and reports National trends and research WREA Convention, October 2-4, 2017 The WREA Annual Convention is on the calendar for October 2-4, 2017 at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, WI. Guests may call the hotel directly at to make a reservation and be sure to reference Group Name: WREA Convention. Early convention registration is due by September 8. For more information, log in to and click on Events. DID YOU KNOW GATEWAY TECHNICAL COLLEGE NEWS INSPIRE CENTER In a message to Gateway staff, President Bryan Albrecht announced that he recently he had the opportunity to tour the new Inspire Center on the Kenosha Campus. The Inspire Center is the new name for the Bioscience Center. The new space for our nursing students includes new patient simulators and a dynamic learning environment. FOXCONN IN WISCONSIN - Much news has been in the media about Foxconn planning to develop a massive new manufacturing plant in southeastern Wisconsin. Both Kenosha and Racine Counties have been mentioned, however the exact location is still unknown. Gateway Technical College is looking forward to the opportunities for their students in science, technology and engineering. Bryan Albrecht has identified strategies that are in place to prepare for this project: Information is posted on the website to assist with inquiries. Architects has been asked to review facility plans for future growth. Responding to media requests as they come in. Department meetings are being scheduled to answer questions and gather new ideas. GTCREA & WREA Membership Dues New Membership Year On October 1, 2017, the membership fiscal year begins (October 1, 2017 September 30, 2018). This means that our membership dues for both your GTCREA and WREA are due by September 30, To check if your membership dues are current, or if you have previously submitted dues for multiple years, please contact Mary Meyer at or marymeyer720@gmail.com. The Membership Form is included in this newsletter and can also be found on the GTCREA website ( The completed form with your check should be forwarded to Edward Knudson, th Place, Kenosha, WI

4 If you prefer to make a direct payment to the WREA, please log in to the Wisconsin Retired Educators Association website at to join or renew your dues. (A copy of the mail-in membership form for the WREA is included in this newsletter.) WRS Retiree Planning Meeting October 18, 2017 The Gateway Technical College Retired Educators Association (GTCREA) will be hosting the annual WRS Retirement Planning Meeting on October 18, 2017 with speaker Roger Byers. He is a former benefit specialist of the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds. All employees covered by the WRS, whether retiring soon or just looking for more information, are invited to attend this session. (Please see the meeting flier included in this GTCREA News.) COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE GTCREA NEWS - Members are welcome to share items of interest for the GTCREA News. Please submit any items for our quarterly newsletter to Mary Meyer, Communications Committee Chairperson at marymeyer720@gmail.com or mail to 6916 McHenry Street, Burlington, WI GTCREA WEBSITE - The GTCREA website ( includes copies of the GTCREA News and a calendar of events. This calendar provides dates for both the Board of Directors and General Membership meetings and program activities. Please remember that the GTCREA Board meetings, which are open to any member, are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the Inspire Center on Gateway s Kenosha Campus. (Any changes in meeting times or locations will be posted on the GTCREA website.) Mary Meyer, Newsletter & Committee Chairperson marymeyer720@gmail.com 4

5 MEMBERSHIP FORM Make GTCREA & WREA your choice, join today! Return for with your check payable to GTCREA to: th Place, Kenosha, WI Renewal New Member Circle one: Miss, Ms., Mrs., Mr., Dr. Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Telephone #: The dues structure effective October 1, 2017 for the membership year follows; please check the amount enclosed. Regular Membership (Any retired teachers, administrator and school personnel.) 1 Year 3 Years GTCREA $10.00 $ WREA $50.00 $ Associate Membership (Spouses of regular members, other annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System, current (non-retired) teachers and friends of education.) 1 Year 3 Years GTCREA $ $ WREA $ $ Membership year runs Oct. 1 Sept. 30 GTCREA Life Membership One payment of $ enclosed. WREA Life Membership One payment of $ enclosed. TOTAL ENCLOSED $ 100% of GTCREA s total expenses are allocated to member services. Dues to membership organizations like GTCREA & the WREA are not tax-deductible. 5

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7 CALENDAR OF EVENTS GTCREA Board Meetings & General Membership Meetings (Meeting schedule & locations subject to change as programs are identified.) DATE LOCATION January 18, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Board Meeting, Kenosha Campus February 15, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Board Meeting, Kenosha Campus March 15, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Board Meeting, Kenosha Campus April 19, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Board Meeting, Kenosha Campus May 17, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Board Meeting, Kenosha Campus June 7, 2017, GTCREA General Agenda includes: WREA membership benefits Membership Meeting, 9:00 a.m. through AMBA and a Medicare Workshop by Barbara Tiedt, Elderly Benefit Specialist at 10:00 a.m. Location: Racine County Bldg., Washington Ave., (Hwy. 20) Sturtevant, WI July 19, 2017 No Board Meeting will be held in July August 16, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Board Meeting, Kenosha Campus September 20, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Board Meeting, Kenosha Campus October 18, 2017, 5:00 p.m. Board Meeting, Kenosha Campus Madrigrano Conference Room October 18, WRS Retirement Pension Fund Retirement 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Planning Meeting, WRS Benefit Specialist November 15, :00 a.m. December 20, :00 a.m. Board Meeting, Kenosha Campus Inspire Center, Room #121 Board Meeting, Kenosha Campus Inspire Center, Room #121 7

8 Come and learn more about your Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Pension Fund This FREE informative presentation will cover: Understanding your annual Statement of Benefits Core and variable funds and interest crediting Death benefits for active employees and retirees Calculating a retirement benefit Choosing a retirement payment plan Ample time for questions All employees covered by the WRS, whether retiring soon or just looking for more information, are invited to attend this session, along with one guest. Wednesday, October 18, :30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Gateway Technical College Madrigrano Auditorium (located in the Conference Center Building) th Avenue, Kenosha, WI Coffee and light refreshments will be served. Presented by Wisconsin Retired Educators Association (WREA) Speaker - Roger Byers, a former benefit specialist at the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds Hosted by Gateway Technical College Retired Educators Association RSVP by Monday, October 13, 2017 Mary Meyer at or to marymeyer720@gmail.com or Sam Stills at or to sam.stills@gmail.com Registrations preferred; Walk-ins welcome! 8