Section 41.40.037. Service by retirees—Break in employment requirement—Reduction of retirement allowance upon reemployment—Reestablishment of membership.

(1)(a) If a retiree enters employment with an employer sooner than one calendar month after his or her accrual date, the retiree's monthly retirement allowance will be reduced by five and one-half percent for every eight hours worked during that month. This reduction will be applied each month until the retiree remains absent from employment with an employer for one full calendar month.

(b) The benefit reduction provided in (a) of this subsection will accrue for a maximum of one hundred sixty hours per month. Any benefit reduction over one hundred percent will be applied to the benefit the retiree is eligible to receive in subsequent months.

(2) A retiree from plan 1, plan 2, or plan 3 who has satisfied the break in employment requirement of subsection (1) of this section may work up to eight hundred sixty-seven hours per calendar year in an eligible position, as defined in RCW 41.32.010, 41.35.010, 41.37.010, or 41.40.010, or as a firefighter or law enforcement officer, as defined in RCW 41.26.030, or in a position covered by annuity and retirement income plans offered by institutions of higher education pursuant to RCW 28B.10.400, without suspension of his or her benefit.

(3) If the retiree opts to reestablish membership under RCW 41.40.023(12), he or she terminates his or her retirement status and becomes a member. Retirement benefits shall not accrue during the period of membership and the individual shall make contributions and receive membership credit. Such a member shall have the right to again retire if eligible in accordance with RCW 41.40.180. However, if the right to retire is exercised to become effective before the member has rendered two uninterrupted years of service, the retirement formula and survivor options the member had at the time of the member's previous retirement shall be reinstated.

(4) The department shall collect and provide the state actuary with information relevant to the use of this section for the select committee on pension policy.

(5) The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has a contractual right to be employed for more than five months in a calendar year without a reduction of his or her pension.

[ 2015 c 75 § 1; 2011 1st sp.s. c 47 § 19; 2007 c 50 § 5; 2005 c 319 § 103; 2004 c 242 § 63. Prior: 2003 c 412 § 5; 2003 c 295 § 7; 2001 2nd sp.s. c 10 § 4; (2001 2nd sp.s. c 10 § 12 repealed by 2002 c 26 § 9); 1997 c 254 § 14.]

NOTES:

Intent—Effective dates—2011 1st sp.s. c 47: See notes following RCW 28B.10.400.

Findings—Intent—Part headings—Effective dates—2005 c 319: See notes following RCW 43.17.020.

Effective date—2004 c 242: See RCW 41.37.901.

Effective dates—2001 2nd sp.s. c 10: "Except for section 12 of this act which takes effect December 31, 2004, this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2001." [ 2001 2nd sp.s. c 10 § 14.]

Intent—Construction—Application—1997 c 254: See notes following RCW 41.26.490.

2015 c 75 § 1; 2011 1st sp.s. c 47 § 19; 2007 c 50 § 5; 2005 c 319 § 103; 2004 c 242 § 63. Prior: 2003 c 412 § 5; 2003 c 295 § 7; 2001 2nd sp.s. c 10 § 4; (2001 2nd sp.s. c 10 § 12 repealed by 2002 c 26 § 9); 1997 c 254 § 14.