Senate Bill 35 proposes amendments to the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) regulations concerning law enforcement and firefighter annuitants who are rehired by participating employers. Currently, individuals receiving a retirement or disability annuity from the WRS must suspend their annuity if they are hired by a WRS-participating employer and are expected to work at least two-thirds of full-time employment. This bill introduces an exception for retired law enforcement officers and firefighters, allowing them to return to work without suspending their annuity, provided they do not have a prior agreement to return to work at the time of their retirement and choose not to become a participating employee upon rehire.

The bill amends several sections of the statutes, specifically 40.22 (1), (2m), (2r), and (3), to include references to the new provision created in 40.26 (7). This new section outlines the conditions under which retired law enforcement officers and firefighters can maintain their annuity while being employed by a participating employer, including a requirement that at least 75 days must pass between their termination of employment and their rehire. The bill aims to provide flexibility for these specific annuitants, allowing them to continue receiving their benefits while contributing to the workforce.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 40.22(1), 40.22, 40.22(2m)(intro.), 40.22(2r)(intro.), 40.22(3)(intro.)