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Legislative Alert: Action Needed on AB 196/SB170
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | September 9, 2025
School Leaders,
While progress had been made on advancing AB 196/SB 170—legislation that eliminates the requirement for retired teachers to suspend their annuity or limit the time they can return to the classroom—it now appears that AB 196 has been removed from tomorrow’s committee agenda.
Your outreach is urgently needed. Please contact your legislators and urge them to help move this bill forward. A sample message is provided below; when possible, personalize it by including examples of how this legislation would positively impact your students and district. To identify your legislator, please follow this link.
Thank you for taking the time to act on this critical issue.
Dee
Sample Message to Legislators
Dear [Legislator],
I am writing to respectfully urge your support for Assembly Bill 196/Senate Bill 170, which would allow Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) retirees to return to public sector work without suspending their annuity. This proposal offers a timely and practical solution to the staffing shortages facing schools and other public employers.
The Assembly Committee on Local Government had been expected to hold an executive session on AB 196, but the bill has now been removed from the agenda. Since SB 170 has already had a public hearing, I ask for your leadership in moving both bills forward quickly so they can advance this session.
This legislation provides schools and public employers with a direct and effective tool for filling urgent vacancies:
- It allows retirees to return to service without compromising the long-term integrity of the WRS.
- The 75-day break in service requirement remains, and employers must continue contributing to the retirement system on behalf of rehired retirees—ensuring sustainability and security for all members.
- Staffing shortages in schools are real and pressing, particularly in hard-to-fill positions such as special education, computer science, math, physics, advanced placement, and music.
- Retired educators bring a wealth of experience and deep institutional knowledge, stepping into classrooms with minimal onboarding and immediate impact—especially when returning to their former districts.
- Other states have already adopted similar measures, recognizing that retired annuitants are a valuable resource for addressing workforce shortages.
- Under current law, retirees may return to private sector employment without suspending their annuity. This bill creates similar flexibility for public employers to meet urgent needs.
Districts across the state are already relying on retired teachers who have suspended their WRS benefits to help cover hard-to-fill positions. This bill would make that process more sustainable and effective, allowing schools to remain focused on students rather than scrambling to fill vacancies.
By supporting AB 196/SB 170, you would provide a vital resource to our communities and ensure that Wisconsin’s schools can continue delivering high-quality education to all students.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important issue.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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