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HB 313

Public Employees - As enacted, establishes that a retiree who is a member of the Tennessee consolidated retirement system must have had a bona fide separation of service before the retiree is allowed to accept temporary reemployment without a loss or suspension of benefits in the retirement system; makes other changes to the present law relative to reemployment after retirement from public employment. - Amends TCA Section 8-25-213 and Title 8, Chapter 36, Part 8.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Pat Marsh

Requires Tennessee public employees to have a genuine break in service before returning to temporary work without losing retirement benefits, tightening reemployment rules.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 159
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Bill Summary · HB 313

Legislative bill overview

HB 313 establishes that Tennessee public employees in the consolidated retirement system must have a genuine break in service before they can return to temporary work without losing or suspending their retirement benefits. The bill modifies existing reemployment rules to clarify when retirees can work again without penalty.

Why is this important

This legislation affects retired public employees (teachers, state workers, etc.) who want supplemental income through temporary positions. It prevents potential abuse where retirees might nominally "retire" while continuing essentially the same job, thereby protecting the integrity and solvency of the retirement system while also enabling legitimate temporary work arrangements.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of "bona fide separation": The bill doesn't specify exact timeframes or conditions that constitute a genuine break in service, potentially creating ambiguity in enforcement and administrative decisions
  • Impact on workforce flexibility: Stricter reemployment rules may make it harder for public agencies to rehire experienced retired workers for urgent or seasonal needs, potentially increasing costs or service gaps
  • Fairness concerns: Retirees seeking additional income face new restrictions, while the criteria for what qualifies as legitimate temporary work versus prohibited continued employment may seem arbitrary to affected individuals

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

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