HB389 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Teachers' Retirement System, UAB employees who served as postdoctoral fellow, allowed to purchase up to two years credit in the system

Summary

HB 389 would let active, contributing Teachers' Retirement System members buy up to two years of service credit for time spent as a postdoctoral research fellow at Alabama public colleges or universities by paying the full cost.

What This Bill Does

It allows any active and contributing TRS member to purchase up to two years of credit for postdoctoral fellowship time at Alabama public colleges/universities. The member must pay the full annual cost for each year, as determined by the system actuary, within one year from October 1, 2021, and the claimed service must be certified under TRS rules. Credits cannot duplicate service already credited in TRS or another public retirement plan, with an exception related to Social Security, and the act would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Active, contributing members of the Teachers' Retirement System who served as postdoctoral research fellows and wish to purchase credit for that time.
• The Teachers' Retirement System and its administration (including the actuary) that would certify eligibility, determine costs, and collect contributions.

Key Provisions

• Allows an active TRS member to purchase up to two years of service credit for time served as a postdoctoral research fellow at any Alabama public college or university.
• Certification of prior service must follow TRS rules; credit awarded only after the member remits the required contributions for the claimed service.
• Member must pay the full cost for each year of claimed service within one year from October 1, 2021, as determined by the system's actuary.
• No credit for service already credited in TRS or any other public retirement plan, with the exception of the federal Social Security program.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Teachers' Retirement System