HB552 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Parker MooreRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Terri Collins

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

HB552 would let a retired K-12 teacher be hired full-time for one academic year without losing retirement benefits, but only under specific vacancy and documentation conditions and not in successive years.

What This Bill Does

It allows a retiree who has been retired for at least 24 months to be hired full-time as a K-12 teacher for one academic year without affecting retirement benefits or imposing a salary cap, when the employer cannot fill the position. The employer must submit job posting proof, a CEO affidavit that no qualified applicant applied, and a State Superintendent certification approving the hire due to a statewide shortage. The retiree would receive pay and benefits like other full-time teachers, the district would handle health and retirement contributions, and the retiree may not accrue service credit or contribute to retirement; it cannot be used for consecutive years, requiring a break of at least one academic year; the law takes effect June 1, 2021 and is repealed June 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Retired K-12 teachers who are at least 24 months retired and wish to return to full-time teaching for one academic year, without losing retirement benefits.
• K-12 school districts and other qualifying employers who need to fill a vacancy and approach retirement reemployment through the prescribed documentation and approval process.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 16-25-26.2 allowing full-time employment and compensation of retiree teachers by K-12 employers without limiting compensation or suspending retirement allowances, under specified circumstances.
• Eligibility and process: an employer unable to fill a position may hire a retiree not less than 24 months after retirement for one academic year, with compensation not subject to prior limits and without affecting the retirement allowance.
• Documentation requirements: (1) job posting per Section 16-22-15; (2) CEO affidavit stating no qualified applicant applied; (3) certification from the State Superintendent confirming vacancy, statewide shortage, and approval to hire.
• Benefits and constraints: the retiree’s pay and leave must match other full-time teachers; the employer covers health and retirement contributions; the retiree cannot accrue additional service credit or make retirement contributions.
• Limitations: cannot be used for consecutive academic years; a break of at least one academic year is required before reemployment.
• Effective date and repeal: becomes effective June 1, 2021 and is repealed effective June 1, 2025.

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