Mississippi House Bill HB1409

Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/25
• Refer: 1/20/25
• Failed: 2/4/25

Caption

PERS; conduct study on feasibility of allowing all retired teachers to continue to work as a teacher in any school district and receive retirement allowance.

Impact

If enacted, HB1409 would influence the framework surrounding the employment of retired teachers within the state. The study is expected to address significant structural aspects including how this policy might impact the unfunded liabilities of the Public Employees' Retirement System, leading to substantial discussions on fiscal responsibility. The outcomes will also be critical in determining future legislative changes around teacher retirements and employment policies in public education.

Summary

House Bill 1409 mandates the Public Employees' Retirement System to conduct a feasibility study on allowing all retired public school teachers who are members of the system to work full-time as teachers in any public school district post-retirement. The bill aims to enable these retirees to receive both their retirement allowance and contract compensation from school districts simultaneously. This approach is in contrast to previous regulations, which limited eligibility based on years of service and designated critical shortage areas for such employment.

Contention

The bill surfaces points of contention regarding the implications of full-time employment for retired teachers on the retirement system’s financial health. Lawmakers may face debate over increased compensation and its possible effects on retirement patterns and system viability. Some may advocate for cautious evaluation prior to broadening employment opportunities for retirees, considering the potential strain on state funds and retirement benefits for future educators.