SB11: SB11 Retirement; creditable service for certain military service; provide

Georgia's retirement law (O.C.G.A. Title 47) currently has a reserved, unused section for crediting military service toward state retirement benefits. This bill fills in that section, Code Section 47-2-95, to let members with at least ten years of membership service obtain up to 36 months of creditable service for active-duty military service performed on or after January 1, 1990. To get the credit, a member must apply in a way set by the board of trustees, submit proof of qualifying service, and pay the full actuarial cost as determined by the board. Members can pay the full amount within 90 days or use a payment plan. Credit is denied if the member was not honorably discharged, if the service was reserve duty, if the member already has membership service for that period, or if the service is already counted toward another state or federal retirement program (except Social Security). The law only takes effect July 1, 2026 if it is certified as funded under the Public Retirement Systems Standards Law; otherwise it is automatically repealed that same date.

• Creates a new option for retirement system members with at least 10 years of membership service to buy up to 36 months of creditable service for active military duty served on or after January 1, 1990.
• Requires members seeking this credit to apply through a process set by the board of trustees and provide proof of qualifying military service.
• Requires members to pay the full actuarial cost of the credit, either as a lump sum within 90 days or through a payment plan similar to one used under O.C.G.A. § 47-2-101.
• Bars the credit for members who were not honorably discharged, for reserve duty, for periods already counted as membership service, or for service already credited toward another state or federal retirement program (other than Social Security).
• Makes the law's effective date, July 1, 2026, contingent on certification that it is funded under the Public Retirement Systems Standards Law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 20 of Title 47), with automatic repeal if that funding certification does not happen.

Members of Georgia's state retirement system covered by Title 47 who have at least ten years of membership service and served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces since 1990, as well as the board of trustees that administers applications, proof requirements, and payment calculations.

Eligible members could increase their retirement benefits by purchasing credit for time they spent on active military duty, potentially letting them retire earlier or with a larger pension, but only if they pay the system's full actuarial cost and only if the state confirms the change is properly funded.

• Section 1 rewrites Code Section 47-2-95 to allow up to 36 months of purchased creditable service for active military service performed on or after January 1, 1990, for members with at least 10 years of membership service.
• Subsection (b) requires an application, proof of qualifying service, and full payment of the actuarial cost as set by the board of trustees.
• Subsection (d) allows a one-time payment within 90 days or a payment plan under the same terms as O.C.G.A. § 47-2-101(e).
• Subsection (e) lists disqualifications: non-honorable discharge, reserve duty, periods already counted as membership service, or service already used for another retirement program besides Social Security.
• Section 2 ties the law's effectiveness to funding certification under the Public Retirement Systems Standards Law, with automatic repeal on July 1, 2026 if that certification is not made.

1. 2026-03-10House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-03-09House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-06Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
4. 2026-03-06Senate Third Read (Senate)
5. 2026-03-06Senate Taken from Table (Senate)
6. 2026-03-06Senate Tabled (Senate)
7. 2026-02-19Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2026-02-18Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)Primary sponsor
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2026

   47 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 7 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #690

• retirement benefits
• military service credit
• state pensions
• veterans