FL H1121

After July 1, 2023, volunteer services no longer constitute employment by, or provision of services to, an employer for purposes of Florida Retirement System termination requirements, allowing retirees to volunteer without jeopardizing their retirement benefits.

Employers may establish postemployment volunteer programs allowing retirees to provide civic, charitable, and humanitarian services during the first 12 calendar months following retirement without violating termination-of-employment requirements.

Volunteer programs must prohibit any compensation or cash equivalents to volunteers and may not provide employee benefits such as health or life insurance, though necessary perquisites like uniforms or equipment may be provided.

Volunteer hours per week, including training, are capped at no more than 20 percent of the hours the retiree was expected to work per week before retirement, and the volunteer must control his or her own schedule and assignments.

Both the employer and retiree must maintain adequate records documenting compliance with the volunteer program criteria, to be made available to the Department of Management Services or state board upon request.