The bill amends various sections of the West Virginia Code concerning the retirement provisions for multiple public employee retirement systems, including the West Virginia Public Employees Retirement System and the Deputy Sheriffs Retirement System. A significant change is the new definition of "bona fide separation from service upon retirement," which now requires a retirant to have completely terminated any employment relationship for at least 60 consecutive days without a prearranged agreement to return. The bill also expands the definition of active military duty to include service in the United States Space Force and aligns the "required beginning date" for retirement distributions with federal law. Additionally, it introduces a new section outlining the responsibilities of participating public employers regarding the notification of retirants who return to work and adds the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System to the provisions for the pick-up of member contributions.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the conditions under which retired individuals can return to work without losing their retirement benefits, allowing retirees to accept certain types of employment without suspending their annuity, provided their annual compensation does not exceed $25,000. It also addresses the critical shortage of child and adult protective services workers by permitting retirees to work in these roles without affecting their retirement benefits, as long as they meet specific qualifications. The bill emphasizes the need for a bona fide separation from service for retirees to maintain their annuity eligibility and introduces provisions for retired public safety officers to use their retirement benefits for qualified health insurance premiums. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and clarify retirement system regulations while ensuring compliance with federal standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-10-2, 5-10-19, 5-10-27b, 5-10-48, 5-10C-4, 5-10D-6a, 7-14D-2, 7-14D-9b, 7-14D-24a, 8-22A-2, 8-22A-11, 8-22A-34, 15-2-45, 15-2A-2, 15-2A-6b, 16-5V-2, 16-5V-13, 16-5V-35, 18-7A-3, 18-7A-13a, 18-7A-28b, 18-7B-2, 18-7B-12a, 20-18-2, 20-18-14, 20-18-30, 51-9-1a, 51-9-10, 51-9-12b, 15-2A-6e
Engrossed Version: 5-10-2, 5-10-19, 5-10-27b, 5-10-48, 5-10C-4, 5-10D-6a, 7-14D-2, 7-14D-9b, 7-14D-24a, 8-22A-2, 8-22A-11, 8-22A-34, 15-2-45, 15-2A-2, 15-2A-6b, 16-5V-2, 16-5V-13, 16-5V-35, 18-7A-3, 18-7A-13a, 18-7A-28b, 18-7B-2, 18-7B-12a, 20-18-2, 20-18-14, 20-18-30, 51-9-1a, 51-9-10, 51-9-12b, 15-2A-6e
Enrolled Version: 5-10-2, 5-10-19, 5-10-27b, 5-10-48, 5-10C-4, 5-10D-6a, 7-14D-2, 7-14D-9b, 7-14D-24a, 8-22A-2, 8-22A-11, 8-22A-34, 15-2-45, 15-2A-2, 15-2A-6b, 16-5V-2, 16-5V-13, 16-5V-35, 18-7A-3, 18-7A-13a, 18-7A-28b, 18-7B-2, 18-7B-12a, 20-18-2, 20-18-14, 20-18-30, 51-9-1a, 51-9-10, 51-9-12b, 15-2A-6e