Question:  What are teacher eligibility criteria for the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) prior to July 1, 1989?

Answer:

Between January 1, 1982 and June 30, 1989, Section 40.22 (1), of the Wisconsin Statutes required an employer to enroll a teacher in the WRS if the teacher was employed with the following expectations: There would be at least 440 hours of actual performance of duty per calendar year and the expected duration of employment was at least 24 months. If the teacher did not meet the expectations at time of hire, the employee was required to be covered under the WRS at the time the employee worked 600 hours per year for three consecutive years. Coverage began on the 601st hour in the third year.

Before January 1, 1982, teachers who taught 50% of full-time or more were required to be reported to the State Teachers Retirement System. Eligibility was evaluated on a month-by-month basis, so that a part-time teacher might be eligible in some months but not in others.

ETF recommends contacting the Employer Communication Center (608) 264-7900, with questions about individual teachers starting before January 1, 1982.

Note: Enrollment is based on the eligibility laws and statutes at the time of enrollment. There may be criteria that employees need to meet prior to participating in the WRS. Each situation is different and requires research beyond what is stated here. Specific questions may be directed to the Employer Communication Center, (608) 264-7900.