PERS; certain education majors shall be considered as if they are Tier 4 members if employed by a public school district after graduation.

HB 831 changes Mississippi's retirement system rules for new education teachers. It ensures that individuals who majored in education during 2024-2026 and are hired as public school teachers within six months of graduation (starting March 1, 2026) will be treated as Tier 4 members for retirement purposes. This means their retirement benefits and contributions will be calculated as if they joined the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) between July 1, 2011, and March 1, 2026 - instead of under newer membership tiers. The bill amends several sections of PERS law to implement this retroactive classification for qualifying education graduates.