Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed Bill No. 36-0061 on Nov. 10, creating a pathway for Government Employees’ Retirement System retirees to rejoin the UVI workforce without sacrificing their annuities—a move that could ease staffing challenges at the Territory’s only four-year public university while providing financial flexibility for skilled professionals.
The change removes a previous barrier that forced retirees to choose between their pension and employment. Under the new rule, individuals who receive a GERS annuity and return to work at UVI can continue collecting their retirement benefits while earning a salary, provided they enroll in a different retirement plan for their new employment.
Why This Matters Now
UVI, like many USVI government agencies, has struggled with workforce gaps in recent years. The university serves nearly 2,000 students across its St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix campuses and relies on qualified instructors, administrators, and support staff. Recruiting talent has proven difficult, particularly when the private sector or federal government offers competitive salaries.
By allowing experienced retirees to return without losing pension income, the Territory removes a financial penalty that previously discouraged seasoned professionals from coming back. A retired professor, administrator, or researcher with institutional knowledge could now afford to accept a university position without facing a dramatic cut in total income.
How the Law Works
The legislation does not restore an annuity to someone who had already forfeited it. Rather, it applies prospectively to retirees who maintain their GERS benefits and choose to work at UVI.
The key requirement is enrollment in a separate retirement plan for the new position. This approach allows the university and the retiree to operate under different benefit structures, avoiding conflicts between GERS and UVI’s pension obligations.
Similar policies exist in other jurisdictions as a workforce retention tool, particularly for educational institutions and healthcare systems seeking to tap expertise without creating administrative complications.
Broader Context
Bryan signed ten bills during the Oct. 30 legislative session, addressing everything from tax amnesty for hurricane-affected businesses to cultural honors and workplace safety standards. The UVI retiree provision was one of several measures aimed at government efficiency and workforce continuity.
The governor also approved an expansion of elder abuse prevention protections and a 90-day tax amnesty period for property, income, and gross receipts taxes—designed to help residents and businesses still recovering from Hurricanes Irma and Maria and Tropical Storm Ernesto.
Next Steps
Implementation details—such as enrollment procedures and plan options—will likely be coordinated between UVI, the GERS board, and the Department of Finance. Employees interested in returning to the university should contact human resources for specific guidance on eligibility and benefits calculations.
The change takes effect immediately, though existing employees and prospective retirees may want clarification on how the rule applies to their specific situations. UVI administrators have an opportunity to actively recruit experienced former employees who may have left the workforce after retirement.
For USVI residents, the measure represents a practical recognition that talent and institutional knowledge should not come with a financial penalty—and that the Territory’s only public university deserves support in building the strongest possible faculty and staff.
