Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Eligibility Criteria (History)
This is a brief summary of the WRS eligibility criteria and is
not meant to be all-inclusive. More detailed information on current
eligibility criteria is found in Chapter 3 of the WRS
Administration Manual (ET-1127). Contact the Employer
Communication Center at (608) 264-7900 for more detailed information
on WRS eligibility criteria.
The following are the criteria for WRS eligibility as listed in Wis. Stat.
§ 40.22 (previously Ch. 41 for non-teachers and Ch. 42 for teachers before
1982). Please note that criteria vary based on time periods of employment.
If the period of employment began before January 1, 1982, the participation
requirements were:
- Non-teaching: The position was expected to require 600 hours
or more each year. (Wis. Stat. § 41.02)
- Teaching: Employee was expected to teach for at least half a
month of what was considered full-time employment. Teaching may
have been done at one or more employers. (Wis. Admin. Code TR
3.01)
If the period of employment began after January 1, 1982 and prior
to July 1, 1989 for teachers and prior to January 1, 1990 for non-teachers,
an employee was required to be included as a participating employee
if he/she received earnings for personal service rendered, and:
- Was employed with the expectation that there would be at least
600 hours of actual performance of duty per calendar year for
non-teachers (440 hours for teachers) and the expected duration
of employment was at least 24 months; OR
- Had completed at least 600 hours of actual performance of duty
for an employer in each of three consecutive calendar years. Coverage
began with the 601st hour in the third year.
If the period of employment began after July 1, 1989 for teachers
and after January 1, 1990 for non-teachers-whether a continuing
employee or a new hire-an employee must be included in WRS participation
if:
- The employee is EXPECTED TO WORK at least one-third of what
is considered full-time employment (440 hours for teachers or
600 hours for non-teachers); AND,
- The employee is EXPECTED TO WORK for at least one year. One
year is 365 consecutive days (366 in leap year) from the date
of hire.
An employee not expected to work at least one-third of what is
considered full-time employment at time of hire shall become a participating
employee on the day after s/he has been employed for at least one
year for at least one-third of what is considered full-time employment.
Any employee who becomes a participating employee shall continue
to be a participating employee for periods of subsequent employment
unless the employment is terminated for 12 or more consecutive calendar
months or unless the employee receives a retirement, separation,
or disability benefit under Wis. Stat. §§ 40.23, 40.25
(1), (2) or (2m) or 40.63.
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