Question:  What are the non-teacher eligibility criteria for Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) participation from January 1, 1990 to present?

Answer:

Non-teachers are eligible to participate in the WRS if expected to work at least one-third of full time and for at least one year.

One-third of full time for non-teachers is defined as 600 hours. One year is defined as 12 continuous months or 365 consecutive days, 366 in leap year, forward from the beginning date of employment. An employee not expected to work at least 600 hours per year and for at least one year, becomes a participating employee on the day after the employee completes at least 600 hours in any immediately preceding 12 months of employment.

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 (by the same employer) regardless of the duration of new employment. For additional information on WRS eligibility for non-teachers contact the Employer Communication Center at (608) 264-7900 or refer to Chapter 3, of the WRS Administration Manual, ET-1127