Purpose

• Change retirement rules for probation agency employees to allow an unreduced early retirement annuity and to increase employee retirement contributions beginning January 1, 2026.

Main Provisions

• Authorizes an unreduced early retirement annuity for probation agency employees. This means eligible staff could retire before the standard retirement age without a reduction in their retirement benefits.
• Beginning January 1, 2026, increases the retirement contributions required from probation agency employees.
• Amends Minnesota statutes by adding new subdivisions to multiple sections (352.01, 352.04, 352.116, 353.01, 353.27, and 353.30) to implement these changes.
• Defines who counts as a “probation agency employee” for purposes of these rules.

Definitions

• Probation agency employee: An employee of a county or state agency who is a probation or supervisory officer, supervisory staff member, or program manager who provides community supervision services or oversees the delivery of probation services.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new retirement option (unreduced early retirement) specifically for probation agency employees.
• Requires higher employee contributions toward retirement for probation agency employees starting in 2026.
• Inserts a formal definition of “probation agency employee” into statute to determine who is eligible for these changes.
• Adjusts several statutory provisions (through added subdivisions) to align retirement benefits and contributions with these changes.

Implementation and Dates

• Employee retirement contributions for probation agency employees increase starting January 1, 2026.
• Other effective dates for the unreduced early retirement option are not specified in the provided text.

Relevant Terms - unreduced early retirement annuity - probation agency employee - probation - community supervision services - supervisory officer - supervisory staff member - program manager - county or state agency - Minnesota Statutes 2024 - employee contributions - retirement annuity - sections 352.01, 352.04, 352.116, 353.01, 353.27, 353.30