URGENT: ACTION NEEDED NOW! CALL YOUR HOUSE MEMBERS!
(601) 359-3770
Today, the Mississippi State House of Representatives passed House Bill 1 (HB 1), which includes provisions for a new Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Tier 5 for pension reform. However, this version of the bill does not include any additional funding for the PERS system, which was part of the original proposal.
The original bill proposed allocating $100,000 annually from the net proceeds of the Mississippi Lottery to fund PERS until the system's funded ratio reaches 80%. This crucial funding provision has been removed from the bill.
The new PERS Tier 5 hybrid plan would offer significantly reduced benefits to future members, with no guarantee that the projected benefits will be met. Most concerning, the new Tier 5 does not include a guaranteed Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). This change will severely impact the ability to recruit and retain firefighters across the state of Mississippi.
We need to make our voices heard. Contact your representatives immediately and let them know that we oppose the changes to PERS in HB 1. We strongly urge them to support the funding provisions originally included in Senate Bill 2439 and to vote NO on this revised version of HB 1.
Call the State House of Representatives at (601) 359-3770 and take action now!
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