New Law Helps Former Public Workers Rejoin Workforce

Retired Virgin Islands government employees can go back to work without giving up part of their pensions, under a new law passed after a campaign by AARP Virgin Islands.

Previously, retirees had limits on how many hours they could work and what they could earn if they reentered Virgin Island government service after having left; generally, returning could chip away at any state pension benefits they had earned.

The law is aimed at encouraging experienced government workers to fill open jobs and allows retirees to go back to service starting at least nine months after retiring, and for no more than 36 months, without affecting pension payments. They’ll continue to get pensions during this time but will need to pay into the Virgin Islands Government Employees’ Retirement System while working.

Follow AARP Virgin Islands at aarp.org /vi.