HB222 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Section 36-27-170 to allow full-time correctional officers certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission and employed by the Department of Corrections to elect the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) upon completing at least 25 years of creditable service and reaching age 52.

• Reduces the minimum age requirement from 55 years to 52 years for qualifying correctional officers, while maintaining the existing 25-year service requirement.

• DROP participation allows eligible members to continue employment for 3-5 years while deferring receipt of retirement allowance, which accumulates in an interest-bearing account until withdrawal from service.

• Maintains existing DROP restrictions including one-time participation, forfeiture of retirement allowance portion for voluntary early termination within first three years, and ineligibility for retiree cost-of-living increases during participation.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.