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County proposes 1% pay increase, changes to pensions and health benefits including spousal surcharge
Summary
The recommended 2026 budget includes a 1% general wage increase, a fall in the county ERS employee contribution rate, continued movement of new hires into the Wisconsin Retirement System, and health-plan design changes that add employee cost-sharing and a new $50/month spousal surcharge.
Milwaukee County staff told the Committee on Finance that the recommended 2026 budget includes modest employee compensation increases but also several benefit design changes that together alter take-home pay for many county workers.
The recommended budget assumes a 1% general salary increase for most employees in 2026. Staff said the Milwaukee County Employee Retirement System (ERS) employee contribution rate would drop from 5.2% to 4.9% in 2026; staff also noted that new employees who join the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) contribute a higher percentage (7.2%), and the proportion of county workers in WRS is growing.
Health and dental plan design changes are included in the…
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