Retirement Benefits
Pension & Deferred Compensation Income, Insurance & Lifestyle Support
Pension Governance (ERS & OBRA)
The 10-member Pension Board invests the assets of the pension fund and interprets ordinances regarding the pension benefit.
Health & Wellness
Retiree Benefits:
Retirement Planning
Employee Pensions
Employees Retirement System (hired before January 1, 2025) and OBRA (seasonals)
Wisconsin Retirement System (hired after December 31, 2024)
Deferred Compensation
Employees may voluntarily participate in the Empower Deferred Compensation (457b) Plan for more retirement savings.
Retiree Webinars
Featuring - Empower's Maximizing Your Retirement and RPS's Life After Retirement: Income, Lifestyle & Legacy
Wednesday, September 23rd | 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Please note: If registration for a scheduled webinar is low, Retirement Plan Services may cancel its portion of the session. Partner presenters may contact registrants separately regarding their portion of the program. If a webinar is canceled or you are unable to attend, RPS is available to assist with any retirement or pension questions.
From the Desk of the Director - August Edition
Hello Milwaukee County retirees!
Thank you for reading this edition of the Communicator! As this issue arrives near the end of August, I hope you’ve enjoyed a pleasant and relaxing summer and with fall just around the corner, I also want to wish you a very Happy Labor Day! I have a few updates for you this month:
System Upgrade
Our team is in the final stages of testing our upgraded system, with the cutover planned for August 31st. We do not anticipate significant changes to the Digital Self‑Service Site.
2025 Pension Board Annual Report Now Available
We are pleased to share that the 2025 Pension Board Annual Report is now available for review on our website. Here are a few key highlights from the report:
- As of December 31, 2025, the ERS has 12,335 members, including 7,559 retirees/beneficiaries receiving benefits, 1,639 inactive members entitled to a future benefit, and 3,137 active members earning a benefit
- Total benefit payments for 2025 reached $195.2 million.
- The funded ratio, using the actuarial value of assets, stands at 71.3%.
- Net investment return for 2025 was 13.7%.
- Total fund assets as of year-end were $1.85 billion.
Future Office Relocation
We have been notified of our new office address. Around February 2027, our operations will relocate to:
648 N. Plankinton Avenue
Suite 270
Milwaukee, WI 53203
We are actively planning the logistics for this move and will keep you updated throughout the process. If we anticipate any service disruptions or changes to our operations at the new location, we will communicate them promptly. If you'd like to follow the progress of the Investing in Justice project (which is related to our temporary relocation) you can track County Board File 26‑563.
As always, if you have any questions regarding your pension, please do not hesitate to contact us at 414-278-4207 or [email protected].
Previous Editions
Milwaukee County Pension Board
Members
- Jeremy Lucas, Chairperson
- Anthony Johnson, Vice Chairperson
- Nicole Best
- Adam Abelson
- Mark Grady
- Montrell Hobbs
- Paula Johnson - Boorse
Contact info for all board members can be found in Pension Board Members.
View the full list of 2026 Pension Board Meeting Dates.
Meetings are conducted virtually unless otherwise noted. Refer to meeting agendas for information on how to access meetings.
Contact [email protected] for Pension Board meeting minutes and agendas from prior months.
Current Meeting Minutes & Agendas
Board Meeting
- August 26, 2026: Agenda | Minutes
- June 24, 2026: Agenda | Minutes
- May 20, 2026: Agenda | Minutes
- April 22, 2026: Agenda | Minutes
Investment Committee Meeting
- May 12, 2026: Agenda | Minutes
- February 10, 2026: Agenda | Minutes
- November 10, 2025: Agenda | Minutes
Actuarial, Audit & Risk Committee Meeting
Governance Committee
- August 26, 2026: Agenda | Minutes
- July 14, 2026: Agenda | RESCHEDULED
- February 5, 2026: Special Meeting: Agenda | Minutes
- January 15, 2026: Agenda | Minutes
Appeals & Rules Committee
Pension Board Committees
Investment Committee
The Investment Committee reviews investments, asset allocation, portfolio performance by investment managers, and investment policy. The operation of this committee is fundamental to the investment performance of the pension fund.
Committee Chairperson: Trustee Anthony Johnson
Actuarial, Audit & Risk Committee
The Actuarial Audit and Risk Committee oversees the internal audit activities and services, whether by outside auditors of Milwaukee County. Responsibility includes working with audit or actuarial firms as well as providing for review and recommendations to the Pension Board.
Committee Chairperson: TBD
Appeals & Rules Committee
The Appeals and Rules Committee provides hearings for members appealing determinations by RPS. Reviews rules and proposed changes. The committee forwards recommendations for Pension Board consideration on the matters heard by the committee.
Committee Chairperson: Trustee Adam Abelson
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee reviews board and committee charters, provides board member training, evaluation, and education, communicates with stakeholders, which includes policy makers, retirees, vested members, Retirement Plan Services, and those affected by Pension Board policy and operation. Provides Pension Board and RPS strategic planning.
Committee Chairperson: Trustee Adam Abelson
View the full list of 2026 Pension Board Meeting Dates.
Retirements Processed
Congratulations to our May 2026 Retirees!
- Steven Anderson
- Sarah Blomme
- Mary Bryar
- Kevin Callahan
- David Frank
- Wanda Keyes
- Sean Mahin
- Linda Oczus
- An Tran
Congratulations to our April 2026 Retirees!
- Joan Boehmer
- Mary Carvalho
- Bernadette Cole
- Franca Connolly
- Mario Fiumefreddo
- Arnold Freeman
- Robert Krug
- Walter Laux
- Brad Lessila
- Thomas Pagac
- Charles Robinson
- Alicia Simmons
- Susan Wilber
Upcoming 2026 Monthly Payment Processing Dates
- September 30, 2026
- October 30, 2026
- November 30, 2026
- December 31, 2026
Contribution Withdrawal Payments
Generally, completed forms received by the 15th of a month are processed the first Thursday of the following month.
Completed forms received after the 15th of a month are processed the third Thursday of the following month.
Contact RPS if you have questions about your specific payment timing.
When are pension payments issued?
Monthly pension payments are issued on the last business day of the month. If you have not received your monthly pension payment, please allow three to five business days for your bank to process the funds. If three to five days have passed and you have not received your monthly pension payment, contact Retirement Plan Services at [email protected].
What do I do if I do not receive my monthly pension payment?
If you have not received your monthly pension payment, please allow three to five business days for your bank to process the funds. If three to five days have passed and you have not received your monthly pension payment, contact Retirement Plan Services.
If you have switched banks and have not updated your direct deposit information, contact Retirement Plan Services to have the account information updated and the payment reissued.
How do I update my direct deposit information?
Complete and submit a Direct Deposit Form to update your direct deposit information. You may print the form from our website, or contact Retirement Plan Services to receive a copy of the form. All updates to direct deposit information must be submitted in writing. We cannot update account information over the phone.
Can I receive a paper check?
To ensure your privacy and enhance payment security, we do not issue paper checks. As an alternative to direct deposit, you may request to receive your pension payment on a Focus Card.