Pensions to Wisconsin retirees increasing 2.4 percent

MADISON — About 203,000 retired public employees in the Wisconsin Retirement System will receive a 2.4 percent pension payment increase starting in May.

The Department of Employee Trust Funds announced the payment increase on Tuesday. It comes after the State of Wisconsin Investment Board reported that investments in the "Core Fund" rose by 16.2 percent last year and "Variable Fund" investments rose by 23.2 percent.

All public employees are covered by the "Core Fund," which levels out gains and losses over a five-year period to avoid large spikes.

The roughly 41,000 retirees who invest in the voluntary and more volatile "Variable Fund" will see a 17 percent increase on that portion of their annuities. That fund is comprised of all stocks, making pension payments tied to it more subject to ups and downs.