Summary:

 Senate Bill 165 (SB 165):  This legislation amends the Public Employees Retirement Act to allow certified lifeguards to return to work under specific conditions without affecting their pension benefits. 

Legislation Overview:

 Senate Bill 165 (SB 165):  The legislative act recommends the following criteria:
a)	Eligibility for Re-employment: Certified lifeguards who have retired may return to work if they have not been employed by an affiliated public employer or as an independent contractor for at least 90 consecutive days following their retirement.
b)	Upon re-employment, the retired lifeguard's pension, including any cost-of-living adjustments, will continue to be paid.
c)	Re-employed retired lifeguards will not re-enter the membership nor accrue additional service credits during their re-employment.
d)	Employer and Employee Contributions: Both the re-employed lifeguard and their employer must contribute to the pension fund at the rates applicable for active employees, though these contributions will not result in additional pension benefits or refundability.
e)	Re-employed lifeguards cannot have seniority from their prior employment for shift selection purposes and are not subject to employment duration limits but can only receive pension payments for up to 36 consecutive months while re-employed.
f)	Reporting and Layoff Policies: Employing agencies must track detailed employment data for re-employed retirees and prioritize the layoff of re-employed retired members in budget-restriction scenarios.

By continuing to pay pensions and requiring contributions without accruing additional benefits, the legislation seeks to manage the financial stability of the retirement system while allowing for flexibility in workforce management.  This amendment can help address staffing shortages, especially in roles like lifeguarding that may experience seasonal or regional workforce deficits.

Retired lifeguards can return to work without losing their pension benefits, providing a financial incentive and the opportunity to remain active in their professional field.  The requirement for detailed tracking and reporting on re-employed retirees ensures transparency and aids in evaluating the impact of this policy on the public retirement system.

This legislative change provides a structured way for retired certified lifeguards to re-enter the workforce under conditions that maintain their retirement benefits while contributing to the pension system. It addresses both workforce needs and pension system integrity, offering a balanced approach to managing retired public employees' re-engagement in work.