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Bill

36-0122

An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 27, section 711 and chapter 28a, section 760, by requiring the Government Employees Retirement System to discontinue making disability retirement annuity payments to a member who resumes any employment

2025-2026 Regular Session

GERS stops disability annuity payments when a disability retiree resumes employment, reducing benefits for re-employed retirees and altering retirement fund administration.

Introduced
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · 36-0122

Summary of Bill 36-0122

Overview

Bill 36-0122 proposes amendments to the Virgin Islands statutes governing the Government Employees Retirement System (GERS). The core change is to discontinue disability retirement annuity payments to a member who resumes any form of employment. The bill targets disability retirees within Title 3 of the Virgin Islands Code, specifically Chapter 27, Section 711, and Chapter 28a, Section 760.

Purpose and intent

  • Align disability retirement benefits with re-employment status to prevent simultaneous receipt of disability annuities and earnings.
  • Improve the integrity and financial sustainability of the GERS disability retirement program by stopping payments when a retiree returns to work.

Key provisions (as amended)

  • Amends Title 3 Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 27, Section 711.
  • Amends Title 3 Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 28a, Section 760.
  • Core change: The Government Employees Retirement System must discontinue disability retirement annuity payments to any member who resumes employment (i.e., becomes employed again after retirement for disability).

Notes:
- The language indicates a halt in disability annuity payments upon resumed employment; the text provided does not specify reinstatement rules, duration of cessation, or conditions under which benefits might be re-evaluated.

Affected parties and entities

  • Government Employees Retirement System (GERS): Responsible for implementing the cessation of payments once a retiree resumes work.
  • Disability retirement annuitants: Retired members currently receiving disability benefits who may re-enter the workforce.
  • Employers across the Virgin Islands government and affiliated entities who hire or re-hire former employees who are disability retirees.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced.
  • Legislative actions:
    • Received: January 22, 2025
    • Assigned: January 29, 2025
    • To Senate: January 2025 (document shows July 21, 2025 as To Senate)
    • Introduced (for the latest action): July 23, 2025
  • This indicates the bill is in early-to-mid stages of consideration, with referral to the Senate and potential further committee review before any floor vote.

Potential impact

  • Financial: Could reduce or eliminate ongoing disability benefit outlays for retirees who return to work, potentially affecting long-term funding dynamics for GERS.
  • Beneficiaries: Disability retirees who re-enter employment would have their annuity payments discontinued, which could necessitate planning for income changes.
  • Administration: GERS would need to implement procedures to verify employment status of current disability annuitants and discontinue payments accordingly, including any needed notification and appeals processes.

Questions for further clarification

  • Are there exceptions (e.g., temporary re-employment without earnings loss, part-time positions, or specific types of work)?
  • What are the reinstatement or adjustment procedures if a re-employed retiree later becomes unemployed or retires again?
  • How would this interact with existing disability qualification criteria and earnings thresholds?

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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