Reporting
Reporting Retirees Returning To Work
- DRS Notice 01-007: New Retiree Rehire Reporting
Requirements
The Post-Retirement Employment Bill (ESSB 5937) was passed and signed into law effective July 1, 2001. You are required to report all retirees in your employ on the transmittal report. You must report compensation and hours for all retirees working in eligible positions using the type codes 97 or 98. Report only beginning and end dates for the retirees working in ineligible positions (type code 99). For PERS/TRS Plan 1 employees working in eligible positions, employers will receive an invoice for employer contributions based on all reported compensation once the employee has exceeded 867 hours.
Review DRS Notice 01-007
2008 Early Retirement Factors and Retirees who Return to Work
The 2007 Legislature passed a law that adds new Early Retirement Factors (ERF) and new retiree return to work rules for members that choose to retire under the 2008 ERF. This ERF is available to Plan 2 and 3 members of the following systems: Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), School Employees' Retirement System (SERS) and Teachers' Retirement System (TRS). The 2008 ERF is available July 1 for PERS, and September 1 for SERS and TRS.
The legislation that created the new 2008 ERF also established stricter return to work rules for retirees who return to work in any capacity with a DRS covered employer after retiring using the new ERF. These restrictions apply whether you hire the retiree as an employee or as a contractor.
For any contractor, independent contractor, or personal service contractor that you directly compensate, you will need to verify their retirement status. We have created a Contractor Status form for you to use with Member Reporting Verification (MRV) to review their status. If you see the following message displayed: “Retired under the 2008 early retirement factors. Stricter return to work rules apply,” contact Employer Support Services immediately for reporting instructions. If this message is not displayed, document and retain the form.
You are not required to verify the status of vendor companies, their employees and subcontractors. Vendor companies are hired through your normal bidding process.
Please remember this does not change the requirement to solicit retirement status from your employees. Continue to complete the Retirement Status form for employees and retain it for your records.
Note: An employer should also be aware that if an individual they are hiring retired from or has ever been a member of the Seattle, Spokane, or Tacoma Employees' Retirement System the employer will need to contact ESS.
