Georgia Senate approves bill letting retired TRS beneficiaries return full time through 2034

Senator Hickman, sponsor of Senate Bill 150, told the Georgia Senate on Feb. 9 that the bill would let certain beneficiaries of the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) who retire after 25 years of service return to full‑time K–12 teaching through June 30, 2034. "If we don't have fully prepared certified educators in the classroom, our students will not succeed," Hickman said, urging support for the measure.

The bill, as read into the record, would allow a retired TRS beneficiary who has completed at least 25 years of service to return to work in a full‑time classroom role after a required one‑year break. It applies to public K–12 teaching positions in subjects including English language arts, science, social studies, special education, math and career, technical and agricultural education (CTAE). The bill requires returning teachers who teach academic content to hold an appropriate dyslexia or reading endorsement or to demonstrate approved training in the "science of reading." A sunset date in the measure sets the program to expire on June 30, 2034.

Hickman and other backers emphasized the bill responds to vacancies in Georgia classrooms. In his remarks he cited statewide vacancy counts presented to lawmakers and said the fiscal note attached to the bill indicated there is "no cost" to the TRS system as drafted. "We had actual study done. There's no cost to the system," Hickman said.

Several senators raised caveats during debate. Lawmakers asked whether permitting full‑time return could create an incentive to retire earlier or widen disparities between retirement systems; TRS retirees receive an annual 3% post‑retirement raise that other state retirement systems may not. One senator urged the body to monitor the program and consider reporting or amendments if unintended consequences — such as earlier retirements that worsen staffing shortages or actuarial impacts — emerge.

Senate leaders noted the bill has a fiscal note and that data supporting its cost estimates comes from the sources used for fiscal review, but several senators said they would watch the program's results if it takes effect.

After debate the Senate adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill by substitute on a recorded vote of Ayes 48, Nays 1. The measure will proceed to the House for further consideration.