summary
Introduced
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
In Committee
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, if a Wisconsin Retirement System annuitant, or a disability annuitant who has attained his or her normal retirement date, is appointed to a position with a WRS-participating employer or provides employee services to a WRS-participating employer in which he or she is expected to work at least two-thirds of what is considered full-time employment by the Department of Employee Trust Funds, the annuity must be suspended and no annuity payment is payable until after the participant again terminates covered employment. This bill removes the requirement that an annuitant who returns to work for a participating employer have his or her annuity suspended and become a participating employee and instead allows an annuitant who returns to work to either 1) elect to suspend his or her annuity and become a participating employee; or 2) elect to continue receiving his or her annuity and not become a participating employee. Under current law, a WRS participant who has applied to receive a retirement LRB-1617/1 MIM:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 301 annuity must wait at least 75 days between terminating covered employment with a WRS employer and returning to covered employment again as a participating employee. The bill reduces that period to 30 days. Because this bill relates to public employee retirement or pensions, it may be referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems for a report to be printed as an appendix to the bill. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the rules for Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) annuitants who return to work, providing more flexibility in how they manage their retirement benefits. Currently, when an annuitant returns to work for a WRS-participating employer expected to work at least two-thirds of full-time, their annuity is automatically suspended. The bill changes this by allowing annuitants two options when returning to work: 1) they can elect to suspend their annuity and become a participating employee again, or 2) they can choose to continue receiving their annuity without becoming a participating employee. Additionally, the bill reduces the waiting period between terminating covered employment and returning to work from 75 days to 30 days. This change gives retired employees more control over their retirement income and employment status, potentially making it easier for experienced workers to return to the workforce while still receiving their retirement benefits. The bill also includes some technical amendments to remove references to previous rules and provides a mechanism for individuals with currently suspended annuities to confirm their suspension status within 60 days of the bill's implementation.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (26)
Jodi Habush Sinykin (D)*,
Dianne Hesselbein (D)*,
LaTonya Johnson (D)*,
Sarah Keyeski (D)*,
Chris Larson (D)*,
Melissa Ratcliff (D)*,
Kelda Roys (D)*,
Clint Anderson (D),
Mike Bare (D),
Ryan Clancy (D),
Ben DeSmidt (D),
Joan Fitzgerald (D),
Alex Joers (D),
Tara Johnson (D),
Darrin Madison (D),
Renuka Mayadev (D),
Vincent Miresse (D),
Greta Neubauer (D),
Lori Palmeri (D),
Christian Phelps (D),
Ann Roe (D),
Joe Sheehan (D),
Lee Snodgrass (D),
Angela Stroud (D),
Angelito Tenorio (D),
Randy Udell (D),
Last Action
Fiscal estimate received (on 06/16/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb301 |
| Fiscal Note - SB301: Fiscal Estimate From ETF | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb301/sb301_etf.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB301.pdf |
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