MS HB1371

Establishes First Responders Retirement Incentive allowing law enforcement officers and firefighters who joined the Public Employees' Retirement System on or after July 1, 2011, with at least 4 years of membership service to receive one additional year of creditable service for every five years of service as a first responder in Mississippi, at no cost to the member.

Requires members claiming this service credit to be in good standing with no felony convictions at the time of retirement to use the creditable service toward the minimum years needed for retirement eligibility.

Authorizes retired PERS members to be reemployed as law enforcement officers with departments experiencing a critical need or shortage of officers while drawing their full retirement allowance and receiving full salary for the position.

Requires law enforcement departments seeking to employ retirees under this provision to provide quantifiable evidence to the Public Employees' Retirement System demonstrating the existence of a critical need for or shortage of officers.

Effective date: July 1, 2024.