[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6314862,"mediaKeyId","2381748-79dba5a5295b9434f33fadda0738c38c","parentId",2381748,"title","Council recommends housekeeping bill to update TCRS rules, adds 70% joint-and-survivor option","audioSeconds",373,"startMs",1942000,"endMs",2315000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381748-79dba5a5295b9434f33fadda0738c38c&start=1942&end=2315","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381748-79dba5a5295b9434f33fadda0738c38c/thumbnail_1942000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6314862/Tennessee/Council-recommends-housekeeping-bill-to-update-TCRS-rules-adds-70-joint-and-survivor-option","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314862-2ead0b38a64b56cc4b9af94ff16170ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1776060639&Signature=RDc8c1t6OyOP2ht55ii1496XVOTcxSk0YUck7z6FbeNZaZXTlJ2GsOjnGsWvZmAgktkCtEZbea9EV31-2K5yn~vyvsBSJfuf2YHQcNzflVhh7phNmCVrg8G13dOqtk5mINtzMdSAGezOLDC7lv1tY855YWpi6JEBzrgdOo0fClYOmWz6kwfViht6ehOoobD3I1OdPv3r81JI8O0smAYKNDxPGiVKllrcqSsGHfPNe6W6P-7LvWMBcNuXXAP~k1Qn9gATXs808S-XQurZLL7vgj1fpiFKn9~dVSufn062MZeTrx7AJM9zuD371F7TnYE14oXQtWW-vvt6xwl2LoxuMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-02-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Council on Pensions gave a unanimous positive recommendation to House Bill 535/Senate Bill 510, a housekeeping bill from the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System that makes technical changes to conform state law with federal law and ease administration.

Senator Wally, the bill sponsor, told the council the bill \"is a housekeeping bill\" and summarized changes including elimination of employer contribution limits to encourage greater employer contributions, clarification that payments for withholdings, taxes or insurance premiums are not earnable compensation, and elimination of optional membership going forward (while not affecting elected or appointed officials who made an irrevocable election). He said the bill also allows the state treasurer to waive recoupment of benefit overpayments consistent with fiduciary duty and federal law.

The bill establishes a 70% joint-and-survivor benefit option that may be selected by any member and includes technical changes to required minimum distributions and eligible rollover provisions so they comport with federal law. Senator Wally noted drafting-code amendment 2850 was applied to the bill and that the change from \"are eligible\" to \"is eligible\" was a language correction.

Mr. Weyman, TCRS staff, described the bill as technical and no-cost and reiterated that the 70% joint survivorship benefits are a newly available option to members.

After discussion, the committee voted by roll call to recommend the bill for passage to its respective standing committees; the clerk recorded unanimous support on the recommendation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council on Pensions\tFeb 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council recommended House Bill 535/Senate Bill 510, a TCRS housekeeping bill that removes employer contribution limits, clarifies earnable compensation and adds a 70% joint-and-survivor option; the motion passed unanimously.","taxTitle","Council on Pensions, Joint, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",29610,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6314869,"Council on Pensions backs consolidation of return-to-work programs; report shows 3,823 used 120-day program in FY24",509,1277000,1786000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381748-79dba5a5295b9434f33fadda0738c38c&start=1277&end=1786","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381748-79dba5a5295b9434f33fadda0738c38c/thumbnail_1277000.jpg","/articles/6314869/Tennessee/Council-on-Pensions-backs-consolidation-of-return-to-work-programs-report-shows-3823-used-120-day-program-in-FY24","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314869-d309154fd943cbe32b91cd9b2fbe7f06/orig.mp4?Expires=1776060639&Signature=KrHPY4HMVI2h2j0sCrQwvkbZxFdQryaNjP2zZ~kI1gykXNn~k0knaz4QZPhES2MqGFtjsEfh1FjFUYuD5VYcL1nFUZqNYc4lgVT8skF19HLZdNJJqeUFokDOcouctlqCUSPN2bdlKvJXUuo72m7cSR8OTcFiKDRNn1Ml10~LPCWs1lJGfXrQNNJ4IAkK1RMq2IfvouypnaaPNZ7lUUYemuwhCHASgHKpcNci39thYS0poCOhXPU-f~iZAPb-hrnHQaBrxnmD3LV~pJWlagW8gYuHY5ADwidiATdj8iP~qz-tEEDTco5-J0sd76ZCnZ0uBW1In-Tb126T3Is~7cVvuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Council on Pensions reviewed a staff report on return-to-work programs and recommended consolidation of multiple temporary reemployment provisions into two programs, and the council gave House Bill 313/Senate Bill 251 a positive recommendation to their respective standing committees on Feb. 24.

Mr. Mark Weyman, TCRS staff, told members the packet included a return-to-work report for fiscal year 2024 showing that the most-used program was the 120-day return-to-work option, \"3,823 members took advantage of that.\" He said there are nine return-to-work programs in total and that since 2021 seven bills enacted by the General Assembly have added or modified such provisions.

Under the bill discussed, temporary reemployment would be consolidated into two options: a 120-day (or equivalent) reemployment where the returning retiree receives no more than 60% of prior full-time salary while keeping full retirement benefits; and a hard-to-fill position option with a 70% retirement benefit during reemployment and no hour limitation if the position meets documented recruitment or retention difficulties.

The report advised defining separation of service to mean no prearrangement of duties and recommended a 60-day break between retirement and return to covered employment to comply with Internal Revenue Code requirements. Mr. Weyman said the Internal Revenue Code requires a bona fide separation of service and that prearranged reemployment can have tax consequences: \"they could be deemed as never retiring and therefore be subject to an early withdrawal penalty. 10% if they're under the age of 59.\"

The report also noted program-specific rules: a 70% reemployment provision for K-12 teachers had nearly 300 teachers return under that option in FY24; limited reemployment for retired teachers had 25 returns; emergency services personnel had as few as 2; and the school resource officer provision, effective July 1, 2024, had eight participants to date and includes a statutory repeal date of June 30, 2026. Mr. Weyman said some programs reduce retirement benefits by 30% during reemployment and others limit salary while returning.

Members asked about retroactivity. Senator Yarborough asked whether current temporary contracts would be affected; Mr. Weyman replied those currently serving could complete their contracts and the new statutory structure would apply when they next sign up for a return-to-work program.

After discussion, the council voted to recommend House Bill 313/Senate Bill 251 for passage. The roll call on that recommendation recorded 13 yeses and one pass.","Staff presented a return-to-work report recommending consolidation to two programs and tighter separation rules; the council recommended House Bill 313/Senate Bill 251 for passage.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6314874,"Council on Pensions elects Gary Hicks chair, names Beau Watson vice chair and adopts policies",191,1049000,1240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381748-79dba5a5295b9434f33fadda0738c38c&start=1049&end=1240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381748-79dba5a5295b9434f33fadda0738c38c/thumbnail_1049000.jpg","/articles/6314874/Tennessee/Council-on-Pensions-elects-Gary-Hicks-chair-names-Beau-Watson-vice-chair-and-adopts-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314874-1c9bdc81b08f46484a368fa99a6e0060/orig.mp4?Expires=1776060640&Signature=H4X~QUWFwTYDnbJbZDuswb8eoj3fHnH86sX9p~gYZFv83BWMgXPlva3l0uyaP7VLTsfO7vGX8gIIXPi9Jg4Mq4sCpX4-WFuP5tFlqqkUTC0nBWdDJqKP0fDPA4m2pUUcKcJoCbNqwwKVfyuS1QoJH1Qz~hZLPe5X-h5yHcbOeSDn~6HmYq1Y85RvdmpXq6SZj6ivphaTq3Nzz~KH6lBV9XcY67uO~6FtsqffFVhJdGkydVY-IMTSZ3hvizAcyKntHWt2-Yeju8mZ1LxuVx-gfyOCEcNa615K9yMCagVxWsuyropqoWhC87Wbs5aqAY63uqin-bsBhXGEq3qERWFKJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Council on Pensions elected Representative Gary Hicks as chair and Senator Beau Watson as vice chair and unanimously approved the council's policies and procedures during its Feb. 24 meeting.

Representative Gary Hicks was nominated for chair by Senator Bo Watson and, after a second, was elected by acclamation. The council then nominated and elected Senator Beau Watson as vice chairman; members voted by voice on both elections.

The council then considered adoption of the council's policies and procedures. The chair put the document before members, a motion to approve was made and seconded, and the council approved the policies by voice vote.

The meeting opened with Mr. Wayne calling the roll and the chair confirming a quorum was present before business began.

The meeting adjourned after the day's calendar was completed and no further business was raised.","At its Feb. 24 meeting the Council on Pensions elected Representative Gary Hicks as chair, Senator Beau Watson as vice chair and approved the council's policies and procedures by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council recommends housekeeping bill to update TCRS rules, adds 70% joint-and-survivor option

Council on Pensions backs consolidation of return-to-work programs; report shows 3,823 used 120-day program in FY24

Council on Pensions elects Gary Hicks chair, names Beau Watson vice chair and adopts policies