PERS; certain law enforcement officers and firefighters shall receive one year of creditable service for every five years of service in Mississippi.

HB 1043 would amend Mississippi's retirement system (PERS) to provide law enforcement officers and firefighters who joined PERS on or after July 1, 2011, with one additional year of creditable service for every five years they serve as first responders. This benefit applies to members with at least four years of membership service and is provided at no cost to the employee. The change directly affects eligible first responders by accelerating their retirement eligibility without requiring additional contributions. It modifies existing PERS service credit rules to recognize frontline service duration more favorably for this specific group.