Mississippi House Bill HB891

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/23
• Refer: 1/16/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

PERS; conduct study on feasibility of allowing retired teachers to continue to work full-time and receive full retirement allowance.

Impact

This legislative initiative could have a considerable impact on state laws governing public employment and retirement systems. If the findings from the PERS study recommend adopting such a policy, it may facilitate a smoother transition for retired teachers wishing to re-enter the classroom. It will also necessitate changes to current regulations governing employment and retirement benefits, particularly concerning the financial implications for the PERS regarding unfunded liabilities and employer contribution rates. The study mandated by the bill will analyze how allowing retired teachers to work under these conditions would affect the overall financial health of the retirement system and patterns of retirement among educators.

Summary

House Bill 891 is designed to address a significant aspect of the public education workforce in Mississippi by requiring the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to conduct a comprehensive study. The main aim of the study is to determine the feasibility of allowing retired public school teachers who are members of the retirement system to return to full-time teaching positions. This return would enable them to receive both their full retirement allowance and a salary from school districts under new contracts. The bill signifies a proactive approach to engaging retired educators who could potentially alleviate staffing shortages in schools.

Contention

Notably, House Bill 891 may spark discussions about the balance between utilizing the experience of retired educators and the associated financial ramifications on the retirement system. Stakeholders may raise concerns regarding the adequacy of existing retirement calculations if retired teachers are allowed to return to work while drawing full benefits. Additionally, the outcomes of the PERS study could face scrutiny, particularly regarding how they would influence the attraction and retention of qualified educators in public schools. This bill points to a larger dialogue about the sustainability of teacher retirement options and strategies for addressing teacher shortages.