Retired government workers in the U.S. Virgin Islands can now return to teach at the University of the Virgin Islands while continuing to collect their pensions, under legislation signed into law by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. this month.
The change addresses a longstanding barrier that forced experienced educators to choose between their retirement income and returning to work. For UVI and the broader territory facing instructor shortages, the move opens the door to tapping seasoned teachers who might otherwise sit on the sidelines.
The measure, Bill No. 36-0061, amends the Virgin Islands Code to allow Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS) annuitants who rejoin the UVI workforce to receive both their retirement annuity and a salary. The tradeoff: returning employees must enroll in a different retirement plan rather than remain in GERS.
The law removes what amounted to a financial penalty for retired educators considering a second act. Previously, many faced the prospect of losing their annuity if they returned to work, making the decision economically unfeasible for those who had already left the workforce.
What This Means for UVI and the Territory
The University of the Virgin Islands, the territory’s only public institution of higher education, has long struggled with faculty retention and recruitment. The new law could help ease that pressure by making it financially viable for retired professors, instructors and support staff to return to campus.
For the territory’s education sector more broadly, the change signals recognition that experience matters. Retired teachers bring classroom expertise, institutional knowledge and established relationships within the community. On an island where educational resources are already stretched, tapping that talent pool makes practical sense.
The law also reflects broader workforce challenges facing the USVI. Like many smaller jurisdictions, the territory competes with larger markets for skilled professionals. Allowing retirees to stay engaged and productive—while maintaining their livelihood—may help slow brain drain and retain institutional memory.
How the Change Works
Under the new framework, a retired GERS member returning to UVI employment maintains their existing annuity. But instead of staying in GERS, they enroll in a separate retirement plan for their new salary. This dual-benefit arrangement balances the employee’s financial security with the need for a sustainable pension system.
The change is narrowly tailored to UVI, the only employer specified in the legislation. It does not apply to other government agencies or private employers, suggesting lawmakers were cautious about broader implications for the GERS system itself.
Gov. Bryan signed the bill alongside several other measures from the 36th Legislature’s October 30 session, including tax amnesty for hurricane recovery and expanded elder abuse prevention protections. The governor’s approval of the UVI pension measure came without noted objections, suggesting cross-agency support for the initiative.
The Bigger Picture
The legislation reflects pragmatism in government. Rather than forcing an artificial choice between retirement security and economic contribution, lawmakers recognized that experienced workers have value—and that the territory benefits when they can afford to give back.
How many retired educators will take advantage of the opportunity depends on several factors. Enrollment in the alternative retirement plan and salary levels at UVI will likely play a significant role in determining uptake. But the door is now open for island educators to continue their careers without sacrificing the pensions they earned.
For St. Thomas and the broader USVI, strengthening UVI’s instructional capacity may ripple outward—improving educational outcomes, supporting workforce development and keeping experienced professionals engaged in the community they helped build.
