Assembly Bill 36 proposes amendments to the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) regarding the rehiring of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are annuitants. Currently, individuals receiving a retirement or disability annuity from the WRS must suspend their annuity if they are hired by a participating employer and are expected to work at least two-thirds of full-time employment. The bill introduces an exception for retired law enforcement officers and firefighters, allowing them to be rehired by a participating employer without suspending their annuity, provided they do not have a prior agreement to return to work 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 return to work while continuing to receive their annuity. The conditions include a minimum 75-day gap between termination of employment and rehire, and the requirement that the participant elects not to become a participating employee. Overall, this legislation aims to provide flexibility for retired law enforcement and firefighter annuitants while addressing workforce needs in these critical sectors.

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