TASA Board members visited with legislators in Washington D.C. last Monday and Tuesday to discuss changing federal code that will assist in allowing early retirement in Tennessee.
Currently law enforcement and firefighters are the only public safety personnel who are allowed to participate in the 25 years/55 years of age program within TCRS. Federal code change is required before addressing the issue on the State and local level.
Board members visited with Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander along with Congressional representatives; Marsha Blackburn, Chuck Fleischmann, Phil Roe, Scott Desjarlais and Diane Black. Each legislator and their staff expressed their support in changing the necessary federal code. TASA expects this legislation to be introduced during the next session due to fact legislators are currently wrapping up the current session.
Once the code is changed, TASA will immediately work with State legislators to implement the 25/55 early retirement for TCRS. After passage on the State level, local governments will have the option to participate – as this is not a mandate.
It is important to note that the federal code change will not only benefit Tennessee and TCRS, but it will also open the opportunities for other states and non-governmental retirement systems.
Bradley County EMS has been diligently working on this issue for several years and TASA is proud to join them in helping to make this very needed change.
