Chapter 40

40.63 History History: 1981 c. 96, 386; 1983 a. 141 s. 20; 1983 a. 191 s. 6; 1983 a. 290; 1985 a. 11; 1985 a. 182 s. 57; 1987 a. 309, 372; 1989 a. 13, 166; 1991 a. 39, 152; 1995 a. 27 s. 9130 (4); 1997 a. 3, 69; 1999 a. 9; 2021 a. 245; 2023 a. 257.

40.63 Annotation Under sub. (1) (c), the employer’s failure to certify that it terminated the employee because of a disability was fatal to an application for disability benefits. State ex. rel Bliss v. Wisconsin Retirement Board, 216 Wis. 2d 223, 576 N.W.2d 76 (Ct. App. 1998), 97-1639.

40.65 40.65 Duty disability and death benefits; protective occupation participants.

40.65(2) (2) 

40.65(2)(a) (a) This paragraph applies to participants who first apply for benefits before May 3, 1988. Any person desiring a benefit under this section must apply to the department of workforce development, which department shall determine whether the applicant is eligible to receive the benefit and the participant’s monthly salary. Appeals from the eligibility decision shall follow the procedures under ss. 102.16 to 102.26. If it is determined that an applicant is eligible, the department of workforce development shall notify the department of employee trust funds and shall certify the applicant’s monthly salary. If at the time of application for benefits an applicant is still employed in any capacity by the employer in whose employ the disabling injury occurred or disease was contracted, that continued employment shall not affect that applicant’s right to have his or her eligibility to receive those benefits determined in proceedings before the division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration or the labor and industry review commission or in proceedings in the courts. The department of workforce development may promulgate rules needed to administer this paragraph.

40.65(2)(b) (b)

40.65(2)(b)1. 1. This paragraph applies to participants who first apply for benefits under this section on or after May 3, 1988.

40.65(2)(b)2. 2. An applicant for benefits under this section shall submit or have submitted to the department an application that includes written certification of the applicant’s disability under sub. (4) by at least 2 physicians, as defined in s. 448.01 (5), who practice in this state and one of whom is approved or appointed by the department, and a statement from the applicant’s employer that the injury or disease leading to the disability was duty-related.

40.65(2)(b)3. 3. The department shall determine whether or not the applicant is eligible for benefits under this section on the basis of the evidence in subd. 2. An applicant may appeal a determination under this subdivision to the division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration.

40.65(2)(b)4. 4. In hearing an appeal under subd. 3., the division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration shall follow the procedures under ss. 102.16 to 102.26.

40.65(2)(b)5. 5. The department shall be an interested party in an appeal under subd. 3., and the department shall receive legal assistance from the department of justice, as provided under s. 165.25 (4).

40.65(3) (3) The Wisconsin retirement board shall determine the amount of each monthly benefit payable under this section and its effective date. The board shall periodically review the dollar amount of each monthly benefit and adjust it to conform with the provisions of this section. The board may request any income or benefit information, or any information concerning a person’s marital status, which it considers to be necessary to implement this subsection and may require a participant to authorize the board to obtain a copy of his or her most recent state or federal income tax return. The board may terminate the monthly benefit of any person who refuses to submit information requested by the board, who refuses to authorize the board to obtain a copy of his or her most recent state or federal income tax return, or who submits false information to the board.

40.65(4) (4) A protective occupation participant is entitled to a duty disability benefit as provided in this section if:

40.65(4)(a) (a) The employee is injured while performing his or her duty or contracts a disease due to his or her occupation;

40.65(4)(b) (b) The disability is likely to be permanent; and

40.65(4)(c) (c)

40.65(4)(c)1. 1. The disability causes the employee to retire from his or her job;

40.65(4)(c)2. 2. The employee’s pay or position is reduced or he or she is assigned to light duty; or

40.65(4)(c)3. 3. The employee’s promotional opportunities within the service are adversely affected if state or local employer rules, ordinances, policies or written agreements specifically prohibit promotion because of the disability.

40.65(4m) (4m) A protective occupation participant who is a state motor vehicle inspector hired on or after January 1, 1968, is not entitled to a duty disability benefit under this section for an injury or disease occurring before May 1, 1990.

40.65(4r) (4r) A protective occupation participant who is an emergency medical services practitioner, as defined in s. 256.01 (5), is not entitled to a duty disability benefit under this section for an injury or disease occurring before the date on which the department receives notification of the participant’s name as provided in s. 40.06 (1) (d) and (dm).

40.65(4v) (4v) A state probation and parole officer who becomes a protective occupation participant on or after January 1, 1999, is not entitled to a duty disability benefit under this section for an injury or disease occurring before January 1, 1999.

40.65(4w) (4w) A county jailer who becomes a protective occupation participant on or after January 1, 2024, is not entitled to a duty disability benefit under this section for an injury or disease occurring before January 1, 2024.

40.65(5) (5) 

40.65(5)(a) (a) The monthly benefit payable to participants who qualify for benefits under s. 40.63 or disability benefits under OASDHI is 80 percent of the participant’s monthly salary adjusted under par. (b) and sub. (6), except that the 80 percent shall be reduced by 0.5 percent for each month of creditable service over 30 years or over 25 years for persons who are eligible for benefits under subch. II at the date of application, but not to less than 50 percent of the participant’s monthly salary. For participants who do not qualify for benefits under s. 40.63 or disability benefits under OASDHI, the monthly benefit under this section is 75 percent of the participant’s monthly salary adjusted under par. (b) and sub. (6), except that the 75 percent shall be reduced by 0.5 percent for each month of creditable service over 30 years or over 25 years for persons who are eligible for benefits under subch. II on the date of application.

40.65(5)(b) (b) The Wisconsin retirement board shall reduce the amount of a participant’s monthly benefit under this section by the amounts under subds. 1. to 6., except that the board may determine not to reduce a participant’s benefit because of income related to therapy or rehabilitation. The Wisconsin retirement board may assume that any benefit or amount listed under subds. 1. to 6. is payable to a participant until it is determined to the board’s satisfaction that the participant is ineligible to receive the benefit or amount, except that the department shall withhold an amount equal to 5 percent of the monthly benefit under this section until the amount payable under subd. 3. is determined.

40.65(5)(b)1. 1. Any OASDHI benefit payable to the participant or the participant’s spouse, domestic partner, or a dependent because of the participant’s work record.

40.65(5)(b)2. 2. Any unemployment insurance benefit payable to the participant because of his or her work record.

40.65(5)(b)3. 3. Any worker’s compensation benefit payable to the participant, including payments made pursuant to a compromise settlement under s. 102.16 (1). A lump sum worker’s compensation payment or compromise settlement shall reduce the participant’s benefit under this section in monthly amounts equal to 4.3 times the maximum benefit which would otherwise be payable under ch. 102 for the participant’s disability until the lump sum amount is exhausted.

40.65(5)(b)4. 4. Any disability and retirement benefit payable to the participant under this chapter, or under any other retirement system, that is based upon the participant’s earnings record and years of service. A reduction under this subdivision may not be greater in amount than the amount of disability or retirement benefit received by the participant. If the participant is not eligible for a retirement benefit because he or she received a lump sum payment or withdrew his or her contributions on or after the date the participant became eligible to receive a benefit under this section, the amount received or withdrawn shall reduce the participant’s benefit under this section in the amount of benefit that would be payable if, on the date the amount was received or withdrawn, the full amount received or withdrawn was applied under s. 40.23 (2m) (d) as additional employee contributions credited to the participant’s account.

40.65(5)(b)5. 5. All earnings payable to the participant from the employer under whom the duty disability occurred.

40.65(5)(b)6. 6. All earnings payable to the participant from an employer, other than the employer under whom the duty disability occurred, and all income from self-employment, the total of such earnings and income shall reduce the participant’s benefit as follows:

40.65(5)(b)6.a. a. For the amount of the total that is less than 40 percent of the participant’s monthly salary, one-third of such amount;

40.65(5)(b)6.b. b. For the amount of the total that is from 40 percent to 80 percent of the participant’s monthly salary, one-half of such amount; and

40.65(5)(b)6.c. c. For the amount of the total that is more than 80 percent of the participant’s monthly salary, two-thirds of such amount.

40.65(5)(c) (c) The Wisconsin retirement board may not reduce a participant’s benefit because of income or benefits that are attributable to the earnings or work record of the participant’s spouse, domestic partner, or other member of the participant’s family, or because of income or benefits attributable to an insurance contract, including income continuation programs.

40.65(6) (6) The Wisconsin retirement board shall adjust the monthly salary of every participant receiving a benefit under this section using the salary index for the previous calendar year as follows:

40.65(6)(a) (a) For the purposes of sub. (5) (b) 6., annually on January 1 until the participant’s death;

40.65(6)(b) (b) For the purposes of sub. (5) (a), if the participant is receiving an annuity under s. 40.63 (1), annually on January 1 until the participant’s death; and

40.65(6)(c) (c) For the purposes of sub. (5) (a), if the participant is not receiving an annuity under s. 40.63 (1), annually on January 1 until the first January 1 after the participant’s 60th birthday. Beginning on the January 1 after the participant’s 60th birthday the participant’s monthly salary shall be increased annually in a percentage amount equal to the percentage amount of dividend awarded under s. 40.27 (2) until the participant’s death. Notwithstanding s. 40.27 (2), any benefits payable under this section are not subject to distribution of annuity reserve surpluses.

40.65(7) (7) 

40.65(7)(a) (a) This paragraph applies to benefits based on applications filed before May 3, 1988. If a protective occupation participant dies as a result of an injury or a disease for which a benefit is paid or would be payable under sub. (4), and the participant is survived by a spouse or an unmarried child under age 18, a monthly benefit shall be paid as follows:

40.65(7)(a)1. 1. To the surviving spouse, if the spouse was married to the participant on the date the participant was disabled within the meaning of sub. (4), one-third of the participant’s monthly salary as reflected at the time of death until the surviving spouse marries again.

40.65(7)(a)2. 2. To the guardian of a surviving unmarried child under age 18, $15 per child until the child marries, dies or reaches 18 years of age.

40.65(7)(a)3. 3. The total monthly amount paid under subds. 1. and 2. may not exceed 65 percent of the participant’s monthly salary as reflected at the time of death. Any reduction of benefits caused by such limitation shall be done on a proportional basis.

40.65(7)(am) (am) This paragraph applies to benefits based on applications filed on or after May 3, 1988. If a protective occupation participant dies as a result of an injury or a disease for which a benefit is paid or would be payable under sub. (4), and the participant is survived by a spouse, domestic partner, or an unmarried child under the age of 18, a monthly benefit shall be paid as follows:

40.65(7)(am)1. 1. To the surviving spouse until the surviving spouse remarries, if the spouse was married to the participant on the date that the participant was disabled under sub. (4), 50 percent of the participant’s monthly salary at the time of death, but reduced by any amount payable under sub. (5) (b) 1. to 6.

40.65(7)(am)1g. 1g. To the surviving spouse until the surviving spouse remarries, if the spouse was in a domestic partnership with the participant on the date that the participant was disabled under sub. (4) and the disability under sub. (4) occurred before January 1, 2018, 50 percent of the participant’s monthly salary at the time of death, but reduced by any amount payable under sub. (5) (b) 1. to 6.

40.65(7)(am)1m. 1m. To the surviving domestic partner until the surviving domestic partner marries, if the domestic partner was in a domestic partnership with the participant on the date that the participant was disabled under sub. (4) and the disability under sub. (4) occurred before January 1, 2018, 50 percent of the participant’s monthly salary at the time of death, but reduced by any amount payable under sub. (5) (b) 1. to 6.

40.65(7)(am)2. 2. To a guardian for each of that guardian’s wards who is an unmarried surviving child under the age of 18, 10 percent of the participant’s monthly salary at the time of death, payable until the child marries, dies or reaches the age of 18, whichever occurs first. The marital or domestic partnership status of the surviving spouse or domestic partner shall have no effect on the payments under this subdivision.

40.65(7)(am)3. 3. The total monthly amount paid under subds. 1., 1g., 1m., and 2. may not exceed 70 percent of the participant’s monthly salary at the time of death reduced by any amounts under sub. (5) (b) 1. to 6. that relate to the participant’s work record.

40.65(7)(am)4. 4. Benefits payable under this paragraph shall be increased each January 1 by the salary index determined for the prior year.

40.65(7)(ar) (ar)

40.65(7)(ar)1. 1. This paragraph applies to benefits based on applications filed on or after May 12, 1998. If a protective occupation participant, who is covered by the presumption under s. 891.455, dies as a result of an injury or a disease for which a benefit is paid or would be payable under sub. (4), and the participant is survived by a spouse, domestic partner, or an unmarried child under the age of 18, a monthly benefit shall be paid as follows:

40.65(7)(ar)1.a. a. To the surviving spouse until the surviving spouse remarries, if the surviving spouse was married to the participant on the date that the participant was disabled under sub. (4), 70 percent of the participant’s monthly salary at the time of death, but reduced by any amount payable under sub. (5) (b) 1. to 6.

40.65(7)(ar)1.ag. ag. To the surviving spouse until the surviving spouse remarries, if the spouse was in a domestic partnership with the participant on the date that the participant was disabled under sub. (4) and the disability under sub. (4) occurred before January 1, 2018, 70 percent of the participant’s monthly salary at the time of death, but reduced by any amount payable under sub. (5) (b) 1. to 6.

40.65(7)(ar)1.am. am. To the surviving domestic partner until the surviving domestic partner marries, if the domestic partner was in a domestic partnership with the participant on the date that the participant was disabled under sub. (4) and the disability under sub. (4) occurred before January 1, 2018, 70 percent of the participant’s monthly salary at the time of death, but reduced by any amount payable under sub. (5) (b) 1. to 6.

40.65(7)(ar)1.b. b. If there is no surviving spouse or domestic partner or the surviving spouse or domestic partner subsequently dies, to a guardian for each of that guardian’s wards who is an unmarried surviving child under the age of 18, 10 percent of the participant’s monthly salary at the time of death, payable until the child marries, dies or reaches the age of 18, whichever occurs first.

40.65(7)(ar)2. 2. Benefits payable under this paragraph shall be increased each January 1 by the salary index determined for the prior year.

40.65(7)(b) (b) Any person entitled to a benefit under both this subsection and ch. 102 because of the death of the same participant, shall have his or her benefit under this subsection reduced in an amount equal to the death benefit payable under ch. 102.

40.65(9) (9) This section is applicable to protective occupation participants who apply for a benefit under this section on or after July 1, 1982. A participant may not apply for a benefit under this section if he or she is receiving a benefit under s. 66.191, 1981 stats., on July 1, 1982.

40.65 History History: 1981 c. 278; 1983 a. 9; 1983 a. 141 s. 20; 1983 a. 191 s. 6; 1983 a. 255; 1985 a. 332 s. 251 (1); 1987 a. 363; 1989 a. 240, 357; 1995 a. 27 s. 9130 (4); 1997 a. 3, 39, 173, 237; 2007 a. 131; 2009 a. 28; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 12, 59; 2023 a. 4.

40.65 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See s. 891.45 for provision as to presumption of employment-connected disease for certain municipal fire fighters.

40.65 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also LIRC and ss. ETF 52.01 and HA 4.16, Wis. adm. code.

40.65 Annotation The Wisconsin Retirement Board may not reduce duty disability benefits under sub. (5) (b) 3. for worker’s compensation benefits that are paid to a participant before the duty disability payments commence, and may do so only for worker’s compensation not yet paid. Coutts v. Wisconsin Retirement Board, 209 Wis. 2d 655, 563 N.W.2d 917 (1997), 95-1905.

40.65 Annotation The Retirement Board is authorized to promulgate administrative rules interpreting sub. (3). Kuester v. Wisconsin Retirement Board, 2004 WI App 10, 269 Wis. 2d 462, 674 N.W.2d 877, 03-0056.

40.65 Annotation The Retirement Board correctly construed sub. (5) (b) in determining duty disability benefits when it reduced those benefits by earnings and lump sum worker’s compensation benefits received after the effective date of the duty disability benefits. The board was reasonable in reading Coutts to hold that the statutorily specified sums are payable when they are received and that it is proper to offset them against duty disability benefits. Carey v. Wisconsin Retirement Board, 2007 WI App 17, 298 Wis. 2d 373, 728 N.W.2d 22, 06-1233.

subch. VI of ch. 40 SUBCHAPTER VI

SURVIVOR BENEFITS

40.70 40.70 Life insurance coverage.

40.70(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (11), each eligible employee of an employer shall be insured under the group life insurance plan provided under this subchapter if all of the following apply:

40.70(1)(a) (a) The employer is a participating employer under the Wisconsin retirement system and was included in the group life insurance program by s. 40.20 (5m), 1979 stats., or the governing body of the employer has adopted a resolution in a form prescribed by the department to make coverage available to its employees or is the state. Coverage may also be extended by rule to employees under other retirement systems if the employer adopts a resolution as specified in this paragraph. A certified copy of the resolution shall be filed with the department and the resolution takes effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after the date of filing. An employer may provide group life insurance for its employees through separate contracts in addition to, or in lieu of, the group life insurance provided by the department under this subchapter.

40.70(1)(b) (b) The employee files an application in the manner provided by rule or contract, to be effective on a date fixed by the department, for one or more of the types of coverage established under this subchapter. The group insurance board may provide a different method of enrollment than provided under this subsection.

40.70(1)(c) (c) The employee pays the employee contribution toward the life insurance premium under s. 40.05 (6).

40.70(2) (2) A resolution adopted under sub. (1) (a) takes effect only if the department determines that at least 50 percent of the eligible employees of that employer will be covered at the time that the resolution is effective. The department’s determination shall be based on the employer’s prior year-end report of the number of employees participating in the Wisconsin retirement system or, if the employer was not a participating employer in the prior year, on the number of employees who, on or before the 15th day of the month immediately preceding the effective date of the resolution, have applied for group life insurance coverage under this subchapter. If the department nullifies a resolution based on insufficient participation, the employer may not file another resolution under sub. (1) (a) during the first 6 months after the date of the previous filing.

40.70(3) (3) Employers may adopt resolutions providing all the coverages provided under this subchapter or provided by contract or may identify in the resolution only specified coverages that are authorized by contract to be offered separately. Employees may file an application under sub. (1) (b) for the amount of coverage provided under s. 40.72 (1) and for any other coverage offered by their employer. The department shall determine the method of administration and the procedure for collection of premiums and employer costs.

40.70(4) (4) 

40.70(4)(a) (a) The governing body of any employer may do any of the following:

40.70(4)(a)1. 1. Change the coverage that it makes available to its employees under s. 40.72 (2) or (3) by adopting an amended resolution and filing a certified copy of the amended resolution with the department.

40.70(4)(a)2. 2. Withdraw from making coverage under this subchapter available to its employees by adopting a withdrawal resolution and filing a certified copy of the withdrawal resolution with the department.

40.70(4)(a)3. 3. Nullify its amended resolution or withdrawal resolution at any time before it becomes effective by adopting a nullifying resolution and filing a certified copy of the nullifying resolution with the department.

40.70(4)(b) (b) Except as provided in sub. (5), amended resolutions and withdrawal resolutions take effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after the date of filing. Nullifying resolutions take effect on the date of filing.

40.70(4)(c) (c) If a withdrawal resolution becomes effective, the employer may not file another resolution under sub. (1) (a) during the first 12 months after the effective date of the withdrawal resolution.

40.70(5) (5) The department may accept or reject an amended resolution, or a resolution under sub. (1) (a) that is filed after the employer’s withdrawal resolution becomes effective, and may charge the employer for any postretirement insurance liability.

40.70(6) (6) Except as provided in sub. (7m), any employee who has not applied for coverage under sub. (1) within the time period specified by rule or contract after becoming eligible for coverage or any employee whose insurance terminates under sub. (8) shall not thereafter become insured for that coverage unless the employee furnishes evidence of insurability satisfactory to the insurer, at his or her own expense. If the evidence is approved, the employee shall become insured on the first day of the first month beginning after the approval.

40.70(7m) (7m) If, as a result of employer error, an employee has not filed an application with the department as required under sub. (1) (b) or made premium contributions as required under sub. (1) (c) within 60 days after becoming eligible for group life insurance coverage, the employee is considered not to be insured for that coverage. The employee may become insured by filing a new application under sub. (1) (b) within 30 days after the employee receives from the employer written notice of the error. An employee is not required to furnish evidence of insurability to become insured under this subsection. An employee becomes insured under this subsection on the first day of the first month beginning after the date on which the employer receives the employee’s new application under sub. (1) (b).

40.70(8) (8) An insured employee may at any time cancel one or more of the types of life insurance coverage provided under this subchapter by filing a cancellation form with his or her employer. The cancellation form shall be transmitted immediately to the department.

40.70(9) (9) The life insurance shall terminate as provided in the contract which shall also provide an option for an employee to convert insurance coverage upon termination of employment if covered by the insurance during the entire 6 months preceding termination or if covered by the insurance from the initial effective date for that employer, to the date of termination.

40.70(10) (10) The group insurance board may provide for the continuation or suspension of insurance coverage during any month in which no earnings are received during a leave of absence.