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GeorgiaSB 1432025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Georgia Firefighter's Pension Fund; certain members to retire at age 50; provide

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Chuck Payne (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican), Rick Williams (Republican)

Signed by Governor

RetirementGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Lifetime pensions for long-serving Georgia firefighters

Eligible Georgia Firefighter's Pension Fund members gain lifetime pension rights after 15 years of credited service. For 15–24 years, the monthly pension equals years served divided by 25, multiplied by the maximum monthly benefit. After leaving service and getting board approval, payments start at age 55 or when employment ends, whichever is later. Members with 25 years gain the maximum benefit; those leaving before 55 can get board approval to stop dues and collect at 55, using the maximum then in effect. These changes begin July 1, 2026, only upon a finding of concurrent funding under Georgia's retirement standards law.

Georgia firefighters get earlier, smaller pensions

Eligible fund members who qualify for benefits at 55 can choose to start between ages 50 and 54. Monthly payments equal 70% of the unreduced benefit at 50, 76% at 51, and 82% at 52. The amount is 88% at 53 or 94% at 54. A surviving spouse with an Option A survivor benefit can also choose early payments if the member qualified for this option. This change begins July 1, 2026, only upon a finding of concurrent funding under Georgia's retirement standards law.

Georgia firefighters keep pensions while working

Fund members age 55 or older with at least 25 years of service can collect pensions without leaving fire service. Payments start on the board's approval date, and members can keep working or volunteering. While collecting these benefits, they pay no monthly dues and earn no additional service credit. Retirees covered by this rule also keep pension payments when returning to paid work with a fire department or volunteer fire department. These changes begin July 1, 2026, only upon a finding of concurrent funding under Georgia's retirement standards law.

More service counts toward firefighter pension increases

Eligible retirees can count full years of credited fund membership beyond 25 years toward pension increases. Counting is no longer limited to service specifically as a firefighter or volunteer firefighter. The increase is 1% per extra service year for retirements after July 1, 1984, or 2% after July 1, 2002. The 2% rate is the total allowed under this rule, not an addition to the 1% rate. This change begins July 1, 2026, only upon a finding of concurrent funding under Georgia's retirement standards law.

New pension choices for returning firefighter retirees

Fund retirees covered by Code Section 47-7-100(b)(2) or (3) can choose to pay dues and earn service credit after reemployment. This choice applies when they return to paid work with a fire department or volunteer fire department. The law removes the former route for qualifying retirees to rejoin the fund within six months of reemployment. It also removes the linked benefit limit that applied unless they earned at least seven more years of credited service. These changes begin July 1, 2026, only upon a finding of concurrent funding under Georgia's retirement standards law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • John Albers

    Republican • Senate

  • Kay Kirkpatrick

    Republican • Senate

  • Chuck Payne

    Republican • Senate

  • Randy Robertson

    Republican • Senate

  • Shawn Still

    Republican • Senate

  • Rick Williams

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Lauren McDonald III

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 267 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 52 • No: 1 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/31/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 168 • No: 0 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 47 • No: 3 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2026Senate

  3. Act 630

    5/12/2026

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    4/2/2026Senate

  6. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/31/2026House

  7. House Third Readers

    3/31/2026House

  8. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/31/2026House

  9. House Second Readers

    2/19/2026House

  10. House First Readers

    2/18/2026House

  11. Senate Third Read

    2/17/2026Senate

  12. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    2/17/2026Senate

  13. Senate Read Second Time

    2/6/2026Senate

  14. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/5/2026Senate

  15. Senate Read and Referred

    2/12/2025Senate

  16. Senate Hopper

    2/11/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 143/AP* (v13)

    PDF

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