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Bill

HB 1409

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.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bo Brown

Study whether retired Mississippi teachers can work full-time as teachers statewide while receiving pension benefits to address teacher shortages.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1409

Legislative bill overview

HB 1409 would have directed the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to conduct a feasibility study on allowing retired teachers to continue working as teachers in any Mississippi school district while simultaneously receiving their retirement benefits. Currently, there are likely restrictions on how much retired teachers can earn while drawing pensions, or limitations on where they can work.

Why is this important

Mississippi faces persistent teacher shortages and recruitment challenges. Allowing retired teachers to return to work while collecting pensions could expand the available teacher workforce without requiring additional retirement benefit payouts, potentially addressing staffing gaps in rural or underserved districts. However, this also raises questions about pension sustainability and fairness to current workers.

Potential points of contention

  • Pension cost implications: Paying both retirement allowances and salaries to the same individuals could increase PERS obligations and strain the system's long-term solvency if not carefully structured.
  • Fairness to active teachers: Current teachers might view this as creating a two-tier system where retirees earn more total compensation than active workers, potentially affecting morale and recruitment of new teachers.
  • Earnings restrictions: Existing rules limiting retiree earnings exist to prevent pension-spiking abuse; changes would need safeguards to prevent manipulation of the retirement system.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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