CERTAIN RETIREES RETURNING TO WORK

SB 251 expands New Mexico's retirement rules to allow certain retired peace officers (like police and sheriffs) to return to public sector work without having their pension benefits suspended during employment. The bill amends Section 10-11-8 of the state retirement law to include peace officers in the existing exception categories, which previously covered roles like legislators, election workers, and elected officials. Under this change, retired peace officers returning to work would retain their pension benefits during employment - unlike the standard rule where pensions are paused - and would not accrue new service credit or make contributions during that period. This policy change directly affects retired peace officers seeking to return to state or local law enforcement jobs.