To require state employees making over $75,000 base salary are to become “at will employees of the state”, while all employees making under $75,000 base salary will have the rule of 80 retirement reinstated and accrued sick leave be used to extend service years upon retirement.

HB 4442 changes West Virginia state retirement rules based on employee salary. Employees earning under $75,000 annually will regain the "Rule of 80" retirement benefit (where age plus years of service equals 80) and can use accrued sick leave to extend their retirement service years. Employees earning $75,000 or more will lose their "classified" job status, becoming "at will" employees (meaning they can be terminated without cause). The bill amends specific retirement code sections (§5-10-15a, §5-10-21, and §29-6-4) to implement these salary-based distinctions.