Labor & Employment (Retirement Benefits) in Minnesota

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SF 5093: Various retirement statutes modifications to include references to the local government probation and telecommunicator retirement plan

This bill updates Minnesota state retirement laws to officially include the local government probation and telecommunicator retirement plan in various existing statutes. It ensures that public employees earning over $425 per month are automatically enrolled in the appropriate retirement plan, which now covers probation officers and telecommunicators alongside other public sector workers. The legislation also clarifies which specific roles, such as election judges and certain temporary staff, remain excluded from mandatory participation. By amending multiple sections of the Minnesota Statutes, the bill standardizes how different government agencies reference and manage this specific retirement system.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 4877: Local government probation and telecommunicator retirement plan established, money transferred, and money appropriated.

This bill creates a new retirement plan specifically for Minnesota probation officers and public safety telecommunicators to recognize the high-stress nature of their work. Under the new system, these employees can retire as early as age 60 and receive larger annuities than those available under the standard employee retirement plan. The legislation establishes a separate fund to manage these benefits and requires employees to initially cover the additional costs associated with their enhanced retirement packages.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Retirement Benefits

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SF 5182: General employees retirement plan employee and employer contributions modification

This bill modifies the contribution rates for the General Employees Retirement Plan in Minnesota, directly affecting public employees and their employers. It lowers the required employee contribution to 5.5% and the employer contribution to 7.5% for school employees starting July 1, 2026, while maintaining higher rates for other public sector workers. The legislation updates existing state statutes to reflect these new percentages, ensuring that salary deductions and employer payments align with the revised financial structure for the retirement plan.

Topics ✓ Education ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SF 5096: Local government probation and telecommunicator retirement plan establishment

This bill creates a new retirement plan specifically for Minnesota probation officers and public safety telecommunicators to recognize the high-stress nature of their work. Under the plan, these employees would be eligible for earlier retirement at age 60 and receive larger pension annuities than those in the standard state employee plan. The additional cost of these enhanced benefits would initially be paid by the employees themselves rather than the employers. The legislation also establishes a new retirement fund and defines which specific roles, such as those directly supervising offenders or coordinating emergency calls, qualify for coverage.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees Retirement Benefits

in committee · Minnesota · House May 12, 2026

HF 5031: Career rule for teachers aged 60 with 30 years of service created.

This bill amends Minnesota statutes to update pension contribution rates and annuity calculation formulas for teachers in the state's retirement systems. It establishes specific employer contribution percentages for certain districts like Minneapolis and Duluth while adjusting the rates for other districts. Additionally, the legislation modifies how retirement annuities are computed based on years of service, distinguishing between different periods of employment and membership types. These changes directly affect teachers and school districts in Minnesota by altering the financial terms of their retirement benefits.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 4879: Local government probation and telecommunicator retirement plan retirement references revised.

This bill updates Minnesota state retirement laws to officially include the local government probation and telecommunicator retirement plan alongside other existing public employee plans. It directly affects public employees by clarifying who must join a retirement plan based on their salary and job duties, specifically adding probation officers and telecommunicators to the list of covered workers. The legislation amends numerous existing statutes to ensure these new plan references are consistent across different sections of the law. By integrating this specific plan into the broader retirement framework, the bill standardizes how various government workers are classified for pension purposes.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees Retirement Benefits

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 4921: Minnesota Secure Choice retirement program provisions modified.

This bill modifies the Minnesota Secure Choice retirement program by updating how the program defines covered employees and establishing new reporting requirements for the state agency. It clarifies that temporary or seasonal workers hired for less than 180 days can choose to participate, while also defining specific groups, such as minors and federal employees, who are excluded from mandatory enrollment. The legislation mandates that the program board publish annual reports detailing financial performance, expenses, and the program's impact on social safety net services. Additionally, the bill sets clear timelines for when employers must enroll new employees and defines a 30-day waiting period for existing workers to opt out of the automatic enrollment process. These changes aim to streamline administrative procedures and increase transparency regarding the program's operations and outcomes.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 17, 2026

SF 5308: Payment authorization of a retirement annuity without reduction or suspension upon reemployment of a police officer

This bill allows retired police officers in Minnesota to return to work without losing their pension or having it reduced. Under the new rules, eligible officers who have at least five years of service and are at least 55 years old can rejoin their department while continuing to receive their full retirement annuity. The legislation also requires these officers to make standard employee contributions during their time back on the job and limits the number of retired officers any single city can rehire. Additionally, the bill ensures that reemployed officers maintain their health insurance coverage and mandates that their contributions be refunded with interest if they leave the position again.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits Workforce Development

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 18, 2026

HF 4496: Various employees exempted from covered employment.

This bill modifies Minnesota's paid leave law to exclude certain categories of workers from coverage, including seasonal employees, substitute employees, and individuals already covered under a specific retirement plan provision. It also creates new legal definitions for "part-year employment" and "substitute employee" to clarify eligibility rules. The legislation allows excluded employers to voluntarily opt into coverage and establishes that part-year workers can only use accrued paid leave when not actively working for a covered employer. These changes directly affect how various employment types are classified under the state's paid leave system.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave Retirement Benefits

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4724: Shorter vesting schedules phased in for defined contribution and defined benefit firefighters relief associations.

This bill modifies retirement vesting rules for Minnesota firefighters relief associations, making it easier for members to earn full pension benefits over a shorter period. It establishes a phased schedule where firefighters will reach 100% vesting in 20 years by 2027, 15 years by 2029, and 10 years by 2030, with corresponding increases in how quickly they earn their pension rights each year. The changes apply to both defined contribution plans, where members build accounts, and defined benefit plans, where members earn pension amounts based on service. Firefighters covered by these retirement systems will see faster vesting timelines, meaning they can claim their full pension benefits after fewer years of service than previously required.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

All labor & employment bills