MS HB899

Qualified military service now counts for vesting purposes if a member dies during such service, and survivors receive additional benefits the system would provide if the member had resumed employment; differential wage payments during military service count as compensation for annual addition limits

Public Employees' Retirement System may conduct on-site compliance audits of employers with at least 5 working days' notice, with penalties of 1% of employer's monthly contribution plus expenses for failure to comply or allow access

Creditable service calculations change to monthly increments (from quarterly) for service rendered on or after July 1, 2017, and unused leave calculations shift to monthly increments for members retiring on or after July 1, 2017

Disability retirement applications must include "objective medical evidence" (medical signs, laboratory findings, examination reports) and be filed within one year of termination, with approval voided if the member does not terminate state service within 90 days

Retirees who marry after retirement now have a one-year deadline from the date of marriage to change from Option 1 to Option 2 or 4-A to provide lifetime benefits for a new spouse