Retirees; may be employed full time in critical need or shortage position with PERS employer and draw full benefits.

HB 783 allows Mississippi retirees covered by the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to work full-time in positions where their employer has a documented critical staffing shortage while receiving their full retirement benefits. It requires employers to provide specific, quantifiable evidence of the shortage and confirm the retiree has the necessary qualifications for the role. This change modifies existing rules that previously limited retirees to part-time work with reduced benefits (e.g., half days or 25% of salary) in similar situations. The bill directly affects PERS retirees and state/local government employers facing staffing challenges in critical roles.