MS SB2021

First responders (firefighters and law enforcement officers with 10+ years of service) hired on or after July 1, 2011, earn one year of free creditable retirement service for every five years served, provided they have no felony convictions at retirement

Reduces the vesting period for Public Employees' Retirement System benefits from eight years to four years for members who joined on or after July 1, 2007, and maintained at least four years of service as first responders

Defines "firefighter" as full-time state/local employees or registered volunteers with 10+ years of service, and "law enforcement officer" as those certified by the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training with 10+ years of service

First responders meeting the four-year membership requirement qualify for prior service credit, disability benefits, survivor benefits, and refund repayment provisions under the same terms as pre-July 2007 members rather than the stricter eight-year requirements

Effective date is July 1, 2023