Mississippi House Bill HB218

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/23
• Refer: 1/4/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

PERS; allow retirees working in nonlicensed school position to earn full amount of salary for position.

Impact

The bill's enactment would facilitate greater employment opportunities for retirees in educational settings, potentially bolstering workforce levels in public schools. By allowing retirees to earn full salaries, the legislation aims to attract experienced individuals back into the workforce without compromising their financial security. This flexibility could lead to enhanced instructional capacity in schools during times when schools are increasingly challenged by staff shortages.

Summary

House Bill 218 amends Section 25-11-127 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, allowing retirees from the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) employed in nonlicensed positions within public school districts to earn the full salary for their roles while receiving their retirement allowance. This change represents a significant shift in how retired personnel can engage in public sector work without financial penalties on their pensions. Previously, retirees could only earn a limited fraction of their salary while drawing benefits, which may have deterred them from rejoining the workforce, especially in educational roles where there are often staffing shortages.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, the bill may also raise concerns among certain stakeholders regarding its impact on the retirement system's financial health. Opponents might argue that increasing the number of retirees receiving full salaries while also drawing pension benefits could strain PERS funds. Additionally, there could be debates over the fairness of such provisions, particularly in the context of younger teachers or personnel who may not have access to similar opportunities, thereby potentially creating disparities in employment equity within the school system.