RBH No. 10979 ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ENGROSSED HOUSE AMENDME NT TO ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO . 1520 By: Pemberton and Stephens of the Senate and Hays of the House An Act relating to the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 17 -116.10, which relates to postretirement employment; modifying earnings limitation for certain retirees returning to work in a public school; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency. AUTHORS: Add the following House Coauthor s: Hilbert and Davis AMENDMENT NO. 1. Strike the title, enacting clause, and entire bill and insert: "An Act relating to the public retirement systems; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 17-116.10, which relates to postretirement employment; modifying earnings limitation for certain retirees returning to work in a public school; modifying postretirement earning limitation for certain time period ; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency. RBH No. 10979 ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PE OPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 17-116.10, is amended to read as follows: Section 17-116.10 A. Subject to the requirements of Section 6 - 101.2 of this title and any other applicable requ irements of law, a member of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma may enter into postretirement employment with a public school of Okla homa and still receive monthly retirement be nefits subject to the following limitations: 1. A retired member is n ot eligible to be employed by the public schools of Ok lahoma, in any capacity, for sixty (60) calendar days between the retiree ’s last day of preretirement public education employment and any postretirement public education employment. For purposes of thi s section, the term “last day of preretirement employm ent” shall mean the last day the employee is required to be physically present on the jo b to complete the terms of the employment co ntract or agreement. An employee on paid leave is still considered to be employed for purposes of this section. Employment under any conditions during this time, volunteer services for the purpose of obtaining a paid position at a later date, or payment at a later time for services performed during this time period shall cause the forfeiture of all retirement benefits received during the period; RBH No. 10979 ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2. Unless otherwise provided in this paragraph or in paragraph 3 of this subsection, earnings from the public schools may not exceed one-half (1/2) of the member ’s final average salary used in computing retirement benefits, or the Earnings Limitation earnings limitation for employees allowed by the Social Security Administration, whichever is less. For Until July 1, 2027, for retired members having attained the age of fifty -five (55) years but less than fifty-nine and one-half (59 1/2) years, the limit on allowed earnings from the public schools of Oklahoma for employmen t for the performance of duties ordinarily p erformed by classified or nonclassified personnel s hall be the lesser of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) or one -half (1/2) of the member’s final average salary used in computing retirement benefits unless th e earnings limitation allowed by the Social Security Administration would be greater than Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00). Until July 1, 2027, for retired members having attained the age of fifty-nine and one-half (59 1/2) years or older, there shall be no limit on allowed earnings from the public schools of Oklahoma for the performance of duties ordinarily performed by classified or nonclassified personnel. Effective July 1, 2027, for retired members under the age of sixty-two (62) years, the limit on allowed earnings from the public schools of Oklahoma f or employment for the performance of duties ordinarily performed by classified or nonclassified personnel shall be the lesser of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) or one - RBH No. 10979 ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 half (1/2) of the member ’s final average salary used in computing retirement benefits unless the earnings limitation allowed by th e Social Security Administration would be greater than Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00). For Effective July 1, 2027, for retired members sixty -two (62) years of age or older the limit on allowed earnings from the public schools of Oklahoma for the performance of duties ordinarily performed by classified or nonclassified personnel shall be the lesser of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) or one -half (1/2) of the member ’s final average salary used in computing retirement benefits. For purposes of this paragrap h, the following shall apply: a. earnings shall mean “regular annual compensation” as defined in paragraph (25) of Section 17 -101 of this title, and shall include any payment by a public school for services rendered by a retired member who is employed for any purpose whatsoever. Supplemental retirement payments paid by a former public school employer pursuant to subsection 9 of Section 17 -105 of this title or other state law shall not be considered as earnings, b. the Earnings Limitation earnings limitation for employees allowed by the Social Security Administration to workers between the age of sixty -two RBH No. 10979 ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 (62) years and sixty -five (65) years shall apply to retired members below the age of sixty -two (62) years, c. the limit on allowed earnings from the publi c schools shall be automatically adjusted effective th e first day of January of each year to reflect the current Earnings Limitation earnings limitation for employees as determined from time to time by the Social Security Administration, d. the earnings limit for the calendar year in which a member retires shall be one-twelfth (1/12) of the annual limit multiplied by the number of months the member is eligible to work and receive payments from the public schools of Oklahoma, e. earnings in excess of the max imum limit on allowed earnings from public schools of Oklahoma shall result in a loss of future retirement benefits for the year the postretirement employment was performed of One Dollar ($1.00) for each One Doll ar ($1.00) earned over the maximum allowed e arnings amount, and f. for those members age seventy ( 70) years and over, the earnings in excess of the maximum limit allowed earnings from public schools of Oklahoma shall be one - half (1/2) the member’s final average salary used in computing retirement be nefits. However, any retired RBH No. 10979 ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 member receiving benefit s from the Retirement System who reached age seventy (70) years prior to July 1, 1991, shall not be restricted by the earnings limit s pursuant to this subpara graph until January 1, 1994. To qualify for the provisions of this subparagraph, the member must be employed less than one-half (1/2) the time compared to other full -time employees in similar positions; 3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2 of this subsection, a retired classified or nonclassified member who has been retired for thirty- six (36) or more mont hs and who is employed by a public school to perform duties ordinarily performed by clas sified or nonclassified personnel shall be a ble to receive annualized earnings from the public school with no redu ction in retirement benefits regardless of the amount of annualized earnings. For a period of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2017, members who have retired as of July 1, 2017, as active classroom teachers, who have been retired and receiving a benefit for at least one (1) year, and who have not been emplo yed by any public school during that one -year period, shall be eligible to be reemployed as an active classroom teacher in common or career tech school districts, with no limitations on earnings. For a period of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2021, mem bers who have retired as of July 1, 2020, who have been retired and receiving a benefit for at least one (1) year, and who have not been e mployed by RBH No. 10979 ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 any public school during that one -year period, shall be eligible to be reemployed as an active classroom te acher in common or career tech school districts, with no limitations on earnings. The o ne- year period starts with the retiree ’s last day of preretirement public education employment. Members returning under this section shall not be subject to any earning limitations earnings limitation following the end of the three -year periods described in this paragraph. Members returning under this s ection shall only be employed pursuant to a temporary contract; and 4. A member shall be considered to be employed by a school district to perform the duties ordinarily performed by classified or nonclassified personnel if the member is hired by the school district in the member’s individual capacity to perform the du ties or if the member performs the duties through empl oyment with a proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or partnership, or any other business structure that has agreed or contracted to provide the services to the school dist rict. B. A public school district that employs a reti red member shall be required to make contributions to the System for the retired member in an amount as required in Section 17 -108.1 and in paragraph 3 of subsection B of Section 17 -116.2 of this title. C. For purposes of this section, postretirement empl oyment of less than one thousand (1,000) hours per year with the Governor, the State Senate, the House of Representatives or the Legislati ve RBH No. 10979 ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Service Bureau shall not be considered as postretirement empl oyment with a public school of Oklahoma. D. The Board of Trustees of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma shall promulgate such rules as are necessary to implement the provisions of this section. E. A member who has entered into postretirement emp loyment with a participating employer of the Teachers ’ Retirement System of Oklahoma must fully comply with all the provisions of the rules promulgated by the Board of Trustees pursuant to thi s section in order to continue receiving his or her monthly reti rement benefit. SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2024. SECTION 3. It being immediately nec essary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by re ason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval." RBH No. 10979 ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Passed the House of Representatives the 25th day of April, 2024. Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives Passed the Senate the ____ day of _______ ___, 2024. Presiding Officer of the Senate RBS No. 2448 ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 1520 By: Pemberton and Stephens of the Senate and Hays of the House An Act relating to the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 17 -116.10, which relates to postretirement employ ment; modifying earnings limitation for certain retirees returning to work in a public school; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 4. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 17-116.10, is amended to read as follows: Section 17-116.10. A. Subject to the requirements of Section 6-101.2 of this title and any other applicable requirements of law, a member of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma may enter into postretirement employment with a public school of Oklahoma and still receive monthly retirement benefits subject to the following limitations: 1. A retired member is not eligible to be employed by the public schools of Oklahoma, in any capacit y, for sixty (60) calendar days between the retiree ’s last day of preretirement public education employment and any postretirement public education employment. For purposes of this section, the term “last day of RBS No. 2448 ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 preretirement employment ” shall mean the last day the employee is required to be physically present on the job to complete the terms of the employment contract or agreement. An employee on paid leave is still considered to be employed for purposes of this section. Employment under any conditions during this time, volunteer services for the purpose of obtaining a paid position at a later date, or payment at a later time for services performed during this time period shall cause the forfeiture of all retirement benefits received during the period; 2. Unless otherwise provided in paragraph 3 of this subsection, earnings from the public schools may not exceed one -half (1/2) of the member’s final average salary used in computing retirement benefits, or the Earnings Limitation earnings limitation for employees allowed by the Social Security Administration, whichever is less. For retired members under the age of sixty -two (62) years, the limit on allowed earnings from the public schools of Oklahoma for employment for the performance of duties ordinarily performed by classified or nonclassified personnel shall be the lesser of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) or one -half (1/2) of the member ’s final average salary used in computing retirement benefits unless the earnings limitation allowed by the Socia l Security Administration would be greater than Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00). For retired members sixty -two (62) years of age or older the limit on allowed earnings from the public schools of RBS No. 2448 ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Oklahoma for the performance of duties ordinarily perf ormed by classified or nonclassified personnel shall be the lesser of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) or one -half (1/2) of the member ’s final average salary used in computing retirement benefits. On and after the effective date of this act, for retir ed members under the age of sixty-two (62) years, the limit on allowed earnings from the public schools of Oklahoma for employment for the performance of duties ordinarily performed by classified or nonclassified personnel shall be the lesser of Thirty Tho usand Dollars ($30,000.00) or one - half (1/2) of the member ’s final average salary used in computing retirement benefits unless the earnings limitation allowed by the Social Security Administration would be greater than Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00). On and after the effective date of this act, for retired members sixty -two (62) years of age or older , the limit on allowed earnings from the public schools of Oklahoma for the performance of duties ordinarily performed by classified or nonclassified personnel shall be the lesser of Fifty -five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00) or one -half (1/2) of the member ’s final average salary used in computing retirem ent benefits. For purposes of this paragraph, the following shall apply: a. earnings shall mean “regular annual compensation” as defined in paragraph (25) of Section 17 -101 of this title, and shall include any payment by a public school for services rendered by a retired member who RBS No. 2448 ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 is employed for any purpose whatsoever. Supplemental retirement payments pai d by a former public school employer pursuant to subsection 9 of Section 17 -105 of this title or other state law shall not be considered as earnings, b. the Earnings Limitation earnings limitation for employees allowed by the Social Security Administration to workers between the age of sixty -two (62) years and sixty -five (65) years shall apply to retired members below the age of sixty -two (62) years, c. the limit on allowed earnings from the public schools shall be automatically adjusted effective the first day of January of each year to reflect the current Earnings Limitation earnings limitation for employees as determined from time to time by the Social Security Administration, d. the earnings limit for the calendar year in which a member retires shall be one-twelfth (1/12) of the annual limit multiplied by the number of months the member is eligible to work and receive payments from the public schools of Oklahoma, e. earnings in excess of the maximum limit on allowed earnings from public schools of Oklahom a shall result in a loss of future retirement benefits for the year RBS No. 2448 ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the postretirement employment was performed of One Dollar ($1.00) for each One Doll ar ($1.00) earned over the maximum allowed earnings amount, and f. for those members age seventy (70) yea rs and over, the earnings in excess of the maximum limit allowed earnings from public schools of Oklahoma shall be one - half (1/2) the member ’s final average salary used in computing retirement benefits. However, any retired member receiving benefits from the Retirement System who reached age seventy (70) years prior to July 1, 1991, shall not be restricted by the earnings limits pursuant to this subpara graph until January 1, 1994. To qualify for the provisions of this subparagraph, the member must be empl oyed less than one-half (1/2) the time compared to other full -time employees in similar positions; 3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2 of this subsection, a retired classified or nonclassified member who has been retired for thirty - six (36) or more months and who is employed by a public school to perform duties ordinarily performed by classified or nonclassified personnel shall be able to receive annualized earnings from the public school with no reduction in retirement benefits regardless of the amount of annualized earnings. For a period of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2017, members who have retired as of July 1, 2017, RBS No. 2448 ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 as active classroom teachers, who have been retired and receiving a benefit for at least one (1) year, and who have not been employed by any public school during that one -year period, shall be eligible to be reemployed as an active classroom teacher in common or career tech school districts, with no limitations on earnings. For a period of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2021, members wh o have retired as of July 1, 2020, who have been retired and receiving a benefit for at least one (1) year, and who have not been employed by any public school during that one -year period, shall be eligible to be reemployed as an active classroom teacher i n common or career tech school districts, with no limitations on earnings. The one - year period starts with the retiree ’s last day of preretirement public education employment. Members returning under this section shall not be subject to any earning limitations earnings limitation following the end of the three -year periods described in this paragraph. Members returning under this section shall only be employed pursuant to a temporary contract; and 4. A member shall be considered to be employed by a scho ol district to perform the duties ordinarily performed by classified or nonclassified personnel if the member is hired by the school district in the member’s individual capacity to perform the duties or if the member performs the duties through employment with a proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company RBS No. 2448 ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 or partnership, or any other business structure that has agreed or contracted to provide the services to the school district. B. A public school district that employs a retired mem ber shall be required to make contributions to the System for the retired member in an amount as required in Section 17 -108.1 and in paragraph 3 of subsection B of Section 17 -116.2 of this title. C. For purposes of this section, postretirement employment of less than one thousand (1,000) hours per year with the Governor, the State Senate, the House of Representatives or the Legislative Service Bureau shall not be considered as postretirement employment with a public school of Oklahoma. D. The Board of Tru stees of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma shall promulgate such rules as are necessary to implement the provisions of this section. E. A member who has entered into postretirement employment with a participating employer of the Teachers ’ Retirement System of Oklahoma must fully comply with all the provisions of the rules promulgated by the Board of Trustees pursuant to this section in order to continue receiving his or her monthly retirement benefit. SECTION 5. This act shall be come effective July 1, 2024. SECTION 6. It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval. RBS No. 2448 ENGR. S. B. NO. 1520 Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Passed the Senate the 4th day of March, 2024. Presiding Officer of the Senate Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2024. Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives