Chapter ETF 52

ETF 52.14(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2) or (3), the maximum monthly duty disability benefit payable to a participant who is a state employee is 80% of the participant’s monthly salary adjusted as provided in s. 40.65 (5) (b) and (6), Stats., and s. ETF 52.12. Except as provided in sub. (2) or (3), the department shall withhold an amount equal to 5% of the monthly benefits under this section until the amount payable under s. 40.65 (5) (b) 3., Stats., is determined.

ETF 52.14(2) (2) The treatment of s. 40.65 (5) (a) and (b) (intro.), 1985-86 Stats., by 1987 Wis. Act 363, concerning duty disability benefit amounts and withholding 5% pending resolution of worker’s compensation benefits, does not apply to a state employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement under subch. V of ch. 111, Stats., until the office of state employment relations notifies the department that the treatment was approved by the collective bargaining representative and by the joint committee on employment relations.

ETF 52.14 Note Note: See 1987 Wis. Act 363, section 11 (2), concerning initial applicability.

ETF 52.14(3) (3) The treatment of s. 40.65 (5) (a) and (b) (intro.), 1985-86 Stats., by 1987 Wis. Act 363, concerning duty disability benefit amounts and withholding 5% pending resolution of worker’s compensation benefits, does not apply to a state employee not covered by a collective bargaining agreement under subch. V of ch. 111, Stats., until the office of state employment relations notifies the department that the treatment was recommended by the director of the office of state employment relations and approved by the joint committee on employment relations.

ETF 52.14 Note Note: See 1987 Wis. Act 363, section 11 (3), concerning initial applicability.

ETF 52.14 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 10-1-98.

ETF 52.15 ETF 52.15 Reduction of duty disability monthly salary based on years of service.

ETF 52.15(1) (1) As of the date of receipt of the duty disability application, the department shall apply s. 40.65 (5) (a), Stats., as follows:

ETF 52.15(1)(a) (a) If creditable service is 25 years or less, no reduction will be applied.

ETF 52.15(1)(b) (b) If the participant is eligible for benefits under subchapter II of ch. 40, Stats., the reduction will be 0.5% for each month of creditable service over 25 years.

ETF 52.15(1)(c) (c) If the participant is not eligible for benefits under subchapter II of ch. 40, Stats., the reduction will be 0.5% for each month of creditable service over 30 years.

ETF 52.15(1)(d) (d) The duty disability monthly salary will not be reduced to less than 50% if the participant qualifies for benefits under s. 40.63, Stats., subchapter III of ch. ETF 50, or disability benefits under OASDHI.

ETF 52.15(2) (2) For purposes of this section, to be eligible for benefits under subchapter II of ch. 40, Stats., on the date the duty disability application is received by the department, the participant must have terminated from covered employment and the participant may not have been approved for benefits under s. 40.63, Stats., or benefits under subchapter III of ch. ETF 50.

ETF 52.15(3) (3) Except as otherwise provided in sub. (4), for purposes of this section, creditable service includes military service if, as of the date of receipt of the application:

ETF 52.15(3)(a) (a) The service has already been credited to the participant’s WRS record; or

ETF 52.15(3)(b) (b) The department has received all documentation required for crediting military service for the participant.

ETF 52.15(4) (4) Military service will not be considered if the documentation required for crediting military service is received by the department after the date the department receives the duty disability application.

ETF 52.15 History History: CR 13-029: cr. Register November 2013 No. 695, eff. 12-1-13.

ETF 52.16 ETF 52.16 Reductions in monthly duty disability benefits.

ETF 52.16(1) (1) In general.

ETF 52.16(1)(a) (a) Income guarantee. The duty disability benefit for eligible protective occupation participants shall be administered as an income guarantee program. The amount equal to the percentage of monthly salary guaranteed under s. 40.65 (5) (a), Stats., or under s. ETF 52.14 for state employees to whom s. 40.65 (5) (a), Stats., does not apply, and adjusted under s. ETF 52.12 (3), is both the guaranteed monthly income amount and the maximum amount payable as monthly duty disability benefits. If the combined income from all sources listed in s. 40.65 (5) (b) 1. to 6., Stats., does not equal or exceed the guaranteed amount, then the difference will be made up by duty disability benefits. To determine the monthly amount of duty disability benefits payable to an eligible person, the department shall determine the dollar amount of the guaranteed percentage of monthly salary then subtract all earnings and OASDHI, unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation, disability and retirement benefits as provided in s. 40.65 (5) (b) 1. to 6., Stats., and this section.

ETF 52.16(1)(b) (b) Receipt assumed. The department may assume that any benefit or amount listed s. 40.65 (5) (b) 1. to 6., Stats., is payable to a participant until it is determined to the department’s satisfaction that the participant is ineligible to receive the benefit or amount.

ETF 52.16(1)(c) (c) No carryover. All amounts described in s. 40.65 (5) (b) 1. to 6., Stats., received by a person entitled to duty disability benefits after that person’s effective date shall apply to reduce the person’s maximum monthly duty disability benefit in the month in which received without any carryover to other months, except that lump sum payments of worker’s compensation benefits shall reduce duty disability benefits as provided in s. 40.65 (5) (b) 3., Stats., and sub. (4) and lump sum payments of disability or retirement benefits under s. 40.65 (5) (b) 4., Stats., shall reduce duty disability benefits as provided in that subdivision.

ETF 52.16(1)(d) (d) Limit on reductions. Duty disability benefits for a particular month may not be reduced below zero.

ETF 52.16(2) (2) Oasdhi benefits. The reduction of monthly duty disability benefits for OASDHI benefits received shall be affected by annual increases in monthly OASDHI benefits. If OASDHI benefits are increased for a month during which the recipient is also entitled to duty disability benefits and the department is administratively unable to immediately adjust the person’s monthly duty disability benefits, then any excess duty disability benefits paid for that month as a result shall be treated as an overpayment of duty disability benefits as provided in s. ETF 52.20.

ETF 52.16(3) (3) Unemployment compensation. Maximum duty disability benefits shall be reduced by the amount of unemployment compensation benefit paid to the participant for that month regardless of who employed the participant or the nature or period of employment which is the basis for the benefit.

ETF 52.16(4) (4) Worker’s compensation.

ETF 52.16(4)(a) (a) Withholding requirement. Until the worker’s compensation permanent disability benefits payable to the participant are paid or otherwise determined, the department shall withhold from each monthly payment of duty disability benefits an amount equal to 5% of the maximum monthly duty disability benefits, except as otherwise provided by s. ETF 52.14.

ETF 52.16(4)(b) (b) If a person subject to 5% withholding under par. (a) subsequently receives a lump sum payment of worker’s compensation benefits, including a lump sum payment made pursuant to a compromise settlement under s. 102.16 (1), Stats., the department shall do one of the following:

ETF 52.16(4)(b)1. 1. If the participant receives a lump sum worker’s compensation payment or compromise settlement, only the portion of the lump sum which exceeds the accumulated total of the amounts then withheld under this subsection shall be treated as a lump sum under s. 40.65 (5) (b) 3., Stats., for purposes of reducing the participant’s monthly duty disability benefits.

ETF 52.16(4)(b)2. 2. If the accumulated total of the amounts withheld under this subsection exceeds the participant’s lump sum worker’s compensation payment or compromise settlement, then the difference between the duty disability benefit that was paid and the benefit that would have been paid had the 5% not been withheld shall be refunded to the participant when the participant’s worker’s compensation benefits have been determined and the lump sum payment shall not otherwise reduce monthly duty disability benefits.

ETF 52.16(4)(c) (c) Payable to the participant. Worker’s compensation benefits payable to the participant, within the meaning of s. 40.65 (5) (b) 3., Stats., are all worker’s compensation benefits other than amounts expressly identified in the worker’s compensation order, or order approving a compromise settlement, as being paid as attorney fees, as medical expenses or as reimbursement for other costs, or any amounts awarded under s. 102.18 (1) (bp) or 102.22 (1), Stats.

ETF 52.16(4)(d) (d) All worker’s compensation benefits apply; no carryover except for lump sum payments. Worker’s compensation benefits paid to a participant receiving duty disability benefits after the effective date shall reduce the participant’s maximum monthly duty disability benefits for the month in which paid, without regard for the nature or date of the injury or the time period covered by the benefits. Any lump sum worker’s compensation benefit shall reduce the participant’s maximum monthly duty disability benefits as provided in s. 40.65 (5) (b) 3., Stats.

ETF 52.16(5) (5) Disability and retirement benefits.

ETF 52.16(5)(a) (a) Lump sum payments. The treatment under s. 40.65 (5) (b) 4., Stats., of the full amount received as a lump sum benefit applies only to lump sum benefits received under s. 40.25, Stats. Lump sum payments received from any other retirement system shall reduce duty disability benefits for the month in which received only.

ETF 52.16(5)(b) (b) Disability annuity alternatives. Monthly duty disability benefits shall be reduced by benefits received under s. ETF 50.52 (1). Notwithstanding s. 40.65 (5) (c), Stats., if the employee trust funds board determines that some or all of a disability annuity benefit provided from the Wisconsin retirement system shall instead be provided through group insurance plans established by the group insurance board, then benefits received under the insurance plan shall reduce monthly duty disability benefits as did the disability annuity benefits.

ETF 52.16(5)(c) (c) Benefits payable to non-vested participants. Monthly duty disability benefits shall be reduced by benefits payable to a non-vested participant under s. 40.25 (2), Stats., at age 50.

ETF 52.16(6) (6) Earnings; income from therapy or rehabilitation. The department may elect not to reduce a participant’s benefit because of income related to therapy or rehabilitation, following written request by the participant.

ETF 52.16 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 10-1-98; CR 13-029: renum. (4) (a) (intro.) to (4) (a) and am., r. (4) (a) 1., 2., am. (4) (c) Register November 2013 No. 695, eff. 12-1-13; CR 14-055: cr. (5) (c) Register May 2015 No. 713, eff. 6-1-15; CR 19-097: am. (4) (b) 2. Register May 2021 No. 785, eff. 6-1-21.

ETF 52.18 ETF 52.18 Establishing estimated monthly reductions.

ETF 52.18(1) (1) The department may reduce monthly duty disability benefits consistently during a year by estimating applicable reductions and correcting any resulting over- or under-payments in an annual reconciliation.

ETF 52.18(2) (2) The department shall provide each participant receiving duty disability benefits with a written statement showing the monthly salary amount, effective date, maximum amount of duty disability benefits and reductions to monthly benefits.

ETF 52.18 Note Note: “Monthly Payment and Offsets,” Form ET-5507.

ETF 52.18(3) (3) A participant eligible to receive duty disability benefits may request that his or her estimated reductions be adjusted to more accurately conform to anticipated income from sources specified in s. 40.65 (5) (b), Stats.

ETF 52.18 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 10-1-98.

ETF 52.20 ETF 52.20 Collection of excess benefits paid in error. The department shall inform the participant of any overpayment of duty disability benefits as identified and determined by the department. If not immediately repaid by the participant, the department shall utilize its authority under s. 40.08 (4), Stats., to collect the amount overpaid and the interest it determines to be due.

ETF 52.20 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 10-1-98.

ETF 52.22 ETF 52.22 Death benefits.

ETF 52.22(1) (1) Fatalities. For purposes of paying a death benefit under s. 40.65 (7) (am), Stats., and sub. (2), a protective occupation participant who suffers fatal injury while performing the participant’s duty, or who dies due to a disease contracted due to the participant’s occupation, is deemed to have died as the result of an injury for which a benefit would be payable under s. 40.65 (4), Stats., even if there was no inability to perform the job immediately prior to death.

ETF 52.22(2) (2) State employee death benefits. Except as provided in par. (a) or (b), death benefits with respect to deceased state employee participants receiving duty disability benefits are determined under s. 40.65 (7), Stats.

ETF 52.22(2)(a) (a) The treatment of s. 40.65 (7) (a) (intro.) and (am), 1985-86 Stats., by 1987 Wis. Act 363, affecting death benefits, does not apply to a state employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement under subch. V of ch. 111, Stats., until the office of state employment relations notifies the department that the treatment was approved by the collective bargaining representative and by the joint committee on employment relations.

ETF 52.22 Note Note: See 1987 Wis. Act 363, section 11 (2), concerning initial applicability.

ETF 52.22(2)(b) (b) The treatment of s. 40.65 (7) (a) (intro.) and (am), 1985-86 Stats., by 1987 Wis. Act 363, affecting death benefits, does not apply to a state employee not covered by a collective bargaining agreement under subch. V of ch. 111, Stats., until the office of state employment relations notifies the department that the treatment was recommended by the director of the office of state employment relations and approved by the joint committee on employment relations.

ETF 52.22(3) (3) Limitations. If a protective occupation participant who was approved for duty disability benefits dies of a disease listed under s. 891.45, 891.453, or 891.455, Stats., but the benefit was not approved based on that disease, the surviving spouse, domestic partner, or surviving children of the protective occupation participant are not eligible to apply for death benefits as a result of that disease.

ETF 52.22 Note Note: See 1987 Wis. Act 363, section 11 (3), concerning initial applicability.

ETF 52.22 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 10-1-98; CR 13-029: cr. (3) Register November 2013 No. 695, eff. 12-1-13; CR 19-097: am. (3) Register May 2021 No. 785, eff. 6-1-21.

ETF 52.24 ETF 52.24 Required reporting by duty disability recipients; failure to submit.

ETF 52.24(1) (1) Monthly earnings from employment. A person receiving duty disability benefits shall keep records of all earnings received, including profits from self-employment, during each month beginning with the effective date, whether paid by the employer under whom the duty disability occurred or from any other employer. The department shall request the records at least annually and, upon request, the person shall supply the records to the department. As used in this subsection and in s. 40.65 (5) (b) 6., Stats., the terms “earnings” and “employer” have their broad, plain meaning and are not limited to the definitions in s. 40.02 (22) and (28), Stats.

ETF 52.24(2) (2) Duty to report receipt. A person receiving duty disability benefits shall respond within 30 days to any request for income information from the department and, regardless of any requests, shall disclose in writing, within 30 days after receipt, any retroactive or other lump sum payment of any Social Security, worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation, disability or retirement benefit or employment earnings, including sums received in lieu of earnings, such as an award for lost earnings, which is received on any date after the participant’s duty disability benefit effective date.

ETF 52.24(3) (3) Duty to report known errors. A person receiving duty disability benefits shall disclose in writing to the department any error known to the person with regard to the amounts by which the department is reducing the participant’s monthly duty disability benefits due to the participant’s receipt of Social Security, worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation, disability or retirement benefit or earnings, including sums received in lieu of earnings.

ETF 52.24 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 10-1-98.

ETF 52.26 ETF 52.26 Termination of duty disability benefits.

ETF 52.26(1) (1) The department may terminate duty disability benefits for any person who refuses to submit or fails to timely submit information requested by the department, including but not limited to income or benefit information, or information concerning a person’s marital status, or who submits false information.

ETF 52.26(2) (2) A person whose duty disability benefits are terminated may not reapply for duty disability benefits based upon the same disability.

ETF 52.26 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 10-1-98.

ETF 52.28 ETF 52.28 Appeals.

ETF 52.28(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2) all determinations made by the department under this chapter, including, but not limited to the calculation of the applicant’s monthly salary, are subject to appeal to the Wisconsin retirement board as provided in ch. ETF 11. Both the applicant and the employer may request an appeal.

ETF 52.28(2) (2) Determinations made by the department under this chapter as to an applicant’s eligibility for duty disability benefits may be appealed to the division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration under s. 40.65 (2) (b) 3., Stats. The department is a necessary party.

ETF 52.28(2)(a) (a) The employer may appeal a determination granting an application for duty disability benefits, including determinations based upon ss. 891.45, 891.453, and 891.455, Stats.

ETF 52.28(2)(b) (b) If an application is denied based upon receipt of a qualifying medical report and a medical report which was not a qualifying medical report, and the participant appeals the denial as provided in s. 40.65 (2) (b) 3., Stats., then the administrative law judge determining eligibility may decide between the 2 conflicting medical reports to determine eligibility.

ETF 52.28 History History: Cr. Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 10-1-98; CR 13-029: am. (2) (a) Register November 2013 No. 695, eff. 12-1-13; CR 23-023: am. (2) (intro.) Register May 2024 No. 821, eff. 6-1-24.