SB51 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Donnie ChesteenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Teachers Retirement System, 30-year service retirement and conversion of sick leave allowed for Tier II, plan members, member contribution rate increased, Secs. 16-25-11.1, 16-25-14, 16-25-21 am'd.

Summary

SB51 would add a 30-year service retirement option for Tier II teachers, raise member contributions, and adjust sick-leave credit rules (with sick-leave conversion allowed for Tier I but not for Tier II).

What This Bill Does

The bill would modify retirement benefits for Tier II members by providing a 30-year service retirement option. It would allow unused sick leave to be converted into creditable service for retirement, but the conversion would not apply to Tier II members. It would increase the member contribution rate toward retirement benefits. The changes would be enacted by amending Sections 16-25-11.1, 16-25-14, and 16-25-21 of the Alabama Code.

Who It Affects

• Tier I plan members (teachers in Alabama): would be able to convert unused sick leave into creditable service for retirement under current rules, subject to annual limits.
• Tier II plan members (teachers in Alabama): would gain a new 30-year service retirement option and experience higher member contribution requirements; sick-leave credit conversion would not apply to them.

Key Provisions

• Create a 30-year service retirement option specifically for Tier II members.
• Maintain or clarify that unused sick leave can be converted to creditable service for retirement for Tier I members, but disallow this conversion for Tier II members.
• Increase the member contribution rate toward the Teachers' Retirement System.
• Amend Sections 16-25-11.1, 16-25-14, and 16-25-21 to implement these changes.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Teachers' Retirement System