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 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 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

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4766: Firefighters relief associations retirement provisions modifications

This bill modifies Minnesota's firefighters relief association retirement plans to include emergency medical providers and expand eligibility for certain volunteer and on-call firefighters. It allows emergency medical providers to join the public employees defined contribution plan if they are not already covered by another pension plan, while also permitting volunteer and paid on-call firefighters to participate in both the retirement plan and their relief association's plan. The legislation requires volunteer and on-call firefighters or emergency medical providers to contribute at least 7.5 percent of compensation received for emergency services, with employers matching that contribution when the municipality ratifies the election. Specific provisions update eligibility rules for various public safety personnel and define emergency medical providers within the statute.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 4723: Retirement; public employees defined contribution plan provisions modified to include emergency medical providers, firefighters relief association retirement plan expanded, and bylaws required to be amended.

This bill expands Minnesota's public employees defined contribution retirement plan to include emergency medical providers, volunteer and on-call firefighters, and certain municipal rescue squad members who currently lack access to existing pension coverage. The legislation allows these workers to enroll in the plan within 30 days of starting service, provided their employer ratifies their membership election, and permits participation in both the new plan and a firefighters relief association retirement plan simultaneously. By amending state statutes, the bill ensures these public safety professionals can build retirement savings through the same defined contribution structure available to other public employees, while maintaining requirements that they must not already be covered by another pension plan.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

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