Senate Bill 2685 Summary

• Creates new Section 25-11-126 allowing retired public school teachers with at least 30 years of creditable service (or 25+ years as of July 1, 2024) to return to teaching in critical shortage areas and continue receiving retirement benefits for up to 5 years.

• Retired teachers may work consecutively or intermittently to fulfill the 5-year eligibility period, with salary prorated for work less than a full academic year; they are not restricted to a single school district.

• School districts pay retired teachers up to 50% of their calculated compensation as salary (based on up to 125% of the standard salary schedule), with the remaining 50% paid directly to PERS as a pension liability assessment to offset pension obligations.

• Retired teachers must hold valid teaching licenses, have satisfactory performance reviews from their last employment, and be hired for critical subject-matter areas or critical teacher shortage areas designated by the Department of Education; superintendent certification is required.

• Amends Section 37-19-7 to allow retired teachers who held National Board Certification prior to retirement to continue receiving the annual $6,000 supplement; also amends Sections 25-11-123 and 25-11-127 for conformity with these provisions.