CS/CS/HB 1121 — Florida Retirement System
by State Affairs Committee; Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law and Government Operations Subcommittee; and Reps. Bartleman, Tomkow, and others (CS/SB 1156 by Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee and Senator Burton)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee (GO)
The bill allows a retiree to provide certain volunteer services to a Florida Retirement System (FRS) employer while maintaining his or her bona fide termination status, which is required for the payment of retirement benefits to the retiree.
Under the bill, an FRS employer may establish a post-employment volunteer program that will not negatively impact a volunteer’s status as a bona fide retiree if the program meets all of the following criteria:
- At the time of retirement, there is no agreement or understanding between an FRS employer and the retiree that the retiree would provide services to an employer post-retirement.
- The employer or third party does not provide any form of compensation to the volunteer for the volunteer services.
- Employee benefits are not to be provided to the volunteer, except in certain limited instances.
- The number of volunteer hours per week is limited to no more than 20 percent of the amount of time that was expected of the retiree per week before retirement.
- A clear distinction between the duties of a volunteer and the duties of an employee is required.
- Each volunteer maintains control of his or her volunteer schedule.
- Adequate record keeping is maintained by the volunteer and the FRS employer.
The bill is not expected to impact state and local government revenues and expenditures.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2023.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 109-0