JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – WJTV 12 News talked to former state employees about the challenges they’ve seen facing the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).
Former Yazoo City Police Chief Terry Gann said his biggest concern is that it takes too long to get his first retirement check. Gann, who started his law enforcement career in 2005, had his last day with the department on October 10, 2025. That’s when he turned in his paperwork to start drawing retirement.
After speaking with his case manager in recent weeks, Gann said he was supposed to receive a packet before he can receive his first retirement check.
“They hadn’t even sent me that packet yet, so I know I’m no closer to getting my retirement yet. And then to hear that it was going to take three to six months,” he said.
Dr. Lenora Hogan worked for 28 years as a teacher and an administrator in Mississippi before retiring in 2024.
“I was at a position where I could go to a neighboring state and work, as well as start my own consulting company,” she said.
Hogan is now working in Memphis, Tennessee.
“Doing the same job, career tech director. It’s pretty cool to have retired from Mississippi and only have to work five additional years to be vested and ready to retire again,” she said.
Hogan said there’s another upside to working in another state.
“After you retire in PERS, you’re now responsible for the insurance. That was very costly for me. That was that was like $800 plus each month from my check,” she said.
Gann, who is now living in Arkansas, is looking for another job while he waits for the PERS paperwork to get taken care of. He said there are concerns about the longevity and the promise that retired employees will be able to get their checks. Lawmakers have expressed concerns about paying out benefits in about 30 years.
“What I don’t understand is why they’re having trouble. They took this money out of my check and my employer contributed. So, the money was there. And I don’t understand why I can’t just get it back,” Gann said.
Hogan said she started getting a better understanding of PERS during the COVID-19 pandemic. She learned that taking a lump sum lowers your monthly retirement salary.
“It also penalizes you with taxes. So, it’s actually it feels like you’re being double taxed, so you’re taxed on the front end. And then your taxed again once you take your lump sum,” she said.
Beginning March 1, 2026, new state employees will have to work 35 years or until age 62 to draw full benefits. Both Gann and Hogan said they don’t think people will be willing to work that long.
