HB159 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Parker MooreRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Teachers' Retirement System, certain retired K-12 education employees authorize to return to work for academic year without suspension of retirement allowances, Sec. 16-25-26 am'd.

Summary

The bill would let certain K-12 retirees return to full-time work for one academic year without pay limits or suspending their retirement, but only under a special waiver process and specific conditions.

What This Bill Does

It would allow a retiree from the Teachers' Retirement System or Employees' Retirement System to be employed full-time for one academic year in K-12 education without a cap on pay or suspension of retirement benefits, under certain circumstances. It creates a waiver path for employers who cannot fill a position, requiring job postings, an affidavit that no qualified applicants exist, and certification of vacancy. If a waiver is used, the retiree would be paid and insured like other full-time staff, but could not accrue retirement service credits or make retirement contributions, and could not work for the same employer in consecutive years without a break. The plan also requires employer and retiree to report to the Teachers' Retirement System and limits reemployment by the same employer to at least one academic year apart.

Who It Affects

• Retired teachers and other personnel in TRS/ERS who may want to return to K-12 work full-time for one academic year (potentially with no pay cap or retirement suspension when allowed).
• K-12 school districts and other education employers who need to hire retirees to fill positions and must apply for a one-year waiver if no qualified applicants exist.
• State oversight entities (Teachers' Retirement System and State Superintendent of Education) that administer the waiver process and verify postings, vacancies, and compliance.

Key Provisions

• Allows one-year, full-time post-retirement employment for TRS/ERS retirees in K-12 education without limiting compensation or suspending retirement benefits, under a waiver framework when conditions apply.
• Establishes a waiver process requiring: (a) job posting as proof of vacancy, (b) an affidavit from the employer stating no qualified applicants exist, and (c) certification from the State Superintendent of Education of a statewide shortage.
• Requires the retiree to be paid and receive benefits like other full-time staff, but prohibits accruing additional retirement service credits and prohibits retirement contributions during the WAIVER employment.
• Prohibits consecutive-year employment by the same employer; a break of at least one academic year is required before the same retiree can be rehired by the same employer.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Teachers' Retirement System