Mississippi House Bill HB784

Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Failed: 2/4/25

Caption

Retirees; may be employed full time in critical need or shortage position with PERS employer and draw full benefits.

Impact

The bill's enactment would allow employers to tap into a skilled labor pool by making it easier to rehire retired personnel in areas experiencing significant workforce shortages. Prior statutory stipulations prevented retirees from being employed for a minimum of 90 days post-retirement while still receiving benefits, creating gaps for essential roles. Supporters of this change suggest it could enhance service delivery in various public agencies by quickly filling positions that face chronic shortages, thereby potentially improving efficiency and continuity of services.

Summary

House Bill 784 proposes amendments to Section 25-11-127 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, aimed at enabling retired members of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to be reemployed in positions deemed to have a critical need for employees. Under this bill, retirees can receive their full retirement allowance while working in full-time positions if their employers can demonstrate the existence of a shortage of employees and confirm their qualifications for those roles. This adjustment to the existing law intends to address staffing gaps in critical public sector positions while allowing retirees to reintegrate into the workforce without losing retirement benefits.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention regarding HB 784 includes concerns over the possible financial implications on the retirement system if a substantial number of retirees return to work full-time. Critics may argue that it risks undermining the integrity of the retirement system by increasing the number of beneficiaries receiving simultaneous salary and retirement benefits. Additionally, there are worries about job competition, where the reemployment of retirees could potentially displace younger workers who are seeking permanent positions in the state’s workforce.