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

HB 784 allows retirees from Mississippi's 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 directly affects PERS retirees who qualify for such roles and their employers, which must provide specific proof of the shortage (with numbers) and confirm the retiree's qualifications. The bill replaces previous limits that restricted retirees to working only half-time or earning up to 25% of their salary while receiving benefits. Employers must submit written evidence to the retirement system before hiring, ensuring the position genuinely has a shortage and the retiree meets the role's requirements.