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

Answer:

Teachers expected to work one-third of full time each year for one year are eligible to participate in WRS on their date of hire.

One-third of full time for teachers is defined as 440 hours. One year is defined as 12 continuous months or 365 consecutive days, 366 in leap year, beginning with the date of hire and ending on the day prior to the employee's anniversary date of hire.

Teachers hired on a 9 to 10 month contract, which excludes summer school, do not meet the 12 continuous month or one year requirement unless they are expected to return to teach the following year.

If the teacher is contracted to teach a certain class for one school year and the School Board expects the class to be in operation the following year, there is a reasonable expectation for continuous employment and the employee meets the eligibility requirements.

A teacher hired to work an undetermined amount of hours or for an undetermined amount of time, must be reported if the employment circumstances change such that the teacher is expected to work at least 440 hours and to work for at least one year.

A teacher that is not expected to work at least 440 hours becomes a participating employee the day after the employee completes at least 440 hours of work in any immediately preceding 12 months.

When an employer rehires a former employee, who participated in WRS within 12 months of termination, and the employee has not received a WRS benefit, that employee is eligible for WRS upon hire regardless of the duration of new employment. For additional information on WRS eligibility for teachers contact the Employer Communication Center at (608) 264-7900 or refer to Chapter 3 of the WRS Administration Manual ET-1127.