When part-time employees’ hours drop below an average of 20 hours per week, as measured over the course of a calendar or school year, or if teachers teach less than half time, they are not eligible for retirement coverage. Employers must certify these employees as ineligible through the online certification. Employers must also stop reporting retirement contributions to the pension plan beginning the next reporting cycle.
If employees render less than 2,080 hours of regularly scheduled employment per year, as required to participate in either the Public Safety or Firefighters Retirement System, but work an average of 20 or more hours per week and receive benefits normally provided, their status changes to eligible in the Public Employees Retirement System and requires online recertification. Contact our office at 801-366-7318 or 800-753-7318 for more information. (Please note, these numbers are for employer use only.)
All employers are required to “certify” the eligibility of every employee reported to URS. Employers may notify URS of a reporting error due to change in status and request an account adjustment retroactive up to12 months from the date of notification. It’s important for employers to regularly review their part-time employees’ status to protect them, and reduce the chance of URS penalties or employee lawsuits.
If employees’ hours drop below an average of 20 hours per week, as measured over the course of a year, they are not eligible for retirement coverage under any retirement system. They must be removed from coverage and retirement contributions to the pension plan must stop. The employer must certify the status change online confirming they no longer meet eligibility requirements.