MS HB1121

Retired public school teachers with at least 25 years of creditable service who have been retired for at least one year may return to work as teachers in critical shortage areas while continuing to receive their full retirement allowance

Returning retired teachers receive a salary based on beginning teacher pay calculated at one-half their years of experience and equivalent credentials at the time of retirement, with annual increases following standard teacher pay schedules

School districts must certify that the retired teacher has requisite qualifications, no other qualified candidates are available, there was no pre-arranged employment agreement, and the retiree had satisfactory performance before retirement

Employers must pay the standard employer contribution plus 3% of the returning teacher's earned compensation to the retirement system; however, returning teachers do not accrue additional retirement benefits

The bill takes effect July 1, 2022, and requires the State Department of Education to transfer Mississippi Adequate Education Program funds to the retirement system to offset pension liability for districts employing retired teachers under this program