JACKSON — Mississippi law enforcement leaders say changes to the state’s public employee retirement system have put first responders at a disadvantage and are worsening recruitment and retention challenges across the state.
Andy “Ski” Matuszewski, Mississippi division president of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, said a task force of first responder representatives formed in July 2025 following the passage of House Bill 1 during that year’s legislative session. The measure made significant changes to the Public Employees’ Retirement System, or PERS, including the Tier 5 retirement structure for newer employees placing first responders in a 35 year plan with less benefits than under the previous retirement tier.
Matuszewski said the group, made up largely of presidents and representatives of public safety organizations, began meeting to develop a response to the legislation and advocate for Tier 5 reforms in the face of evidence of a growing disconnect between legislators and the men and women who protect and serve Mississippians.
“We felt we had no choice other than to organize a response,” Matuszewski said, noting that a study conducted by the Stennis Institute supported concerns that Mississippi’s new Tier 5 retirement benefits for first responders now lag behind neighboring states.
MORE: First responders fire back about Tier 5 after Hosemann’s life-expectancy remarks
He said the group’s position is that public safety careers should be treated differently than other state jobs because of the physical and mental demands of the work. Higher cancer rates, heart disease, and more suicides for first responders also point to reasons why their retirement should be different, in addition to the immediate dangers of the job.
“Expecting a first responder to work for 35 years for a fraction of what the people they are working beside daily receive is not only unreasonable but patently unfair,” Matuszewski said.
Members of the task force met with lawmakers and officials several times over the past year, including a January meeting with staff from PERS and meetings with legislators supporting proposals to modify the system.
Matuszewski said the group also sought meetings with Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, whose office oversees the Senate. In addition the SSPBA has supported Hosemann in the past, believing him to have first responders’ best interests in mind.
During one meeting in February at the Capitol, Matuszewski said members of the task force met with Hosemann, his staff, Sen. Daniel Sparks, who authored legislation related to Tier 5 retirement, and PERS Executive Director Ray Higgins.
According to Matuszewski and others in the meeting, the meeting began with the lieutenant governor skipping all ceremony such as handshaking and standing in front of his desk and asking the group flat out what they wanted, stating that he had to get back to the Senate floor. As the discussion continued, Sparks began explaining details of proposed legislation addressing retirement concerns.
Matuszewski and others said Hosemann interrupted Sparks during one part of the explanation and suggested the first responders present would not understand the technical details being discussed.
“He interrupted him as Sparks started to go into some detail on a particular nuance, saying words to the effect of ‘these guys won’t understand that,'” Matuszewski said.
Matuszewski said the comment was frustrating for members of the task force, which includes experienced law enforcement officers, firefighters and other public safety professionals.
The retirement debate has been a major issue during the current legislative session. On March 6, House Speaker Jason White announced that the House had amended Senate Bill 2103 by replacing its language with provisions addressing some concerns raised by first responder groups.
Matuszewski said first responders across Mississippi are closely watching the outcome.
He said the state is already struggling to recruit and retain police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, corrections officers and 911 telecommunicators, and warned that failing to address future retirement benefits could push experienced workers to leave for neighboring states offering better compensation and incentives.
“If public safety doesn’t work, nothing else matters,” Matuszewski said.
The SSPBA president also noted that the first responders fighting for the Tier 5 specifications to be fair have nothing to gain from it. The whole point is future generations, not only of first responders, but of those they will be protecting.
The pushback also follows comments late last year by Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who said first responders “live longer than most people do because they stay healthy.”
Medical and occupational research has repeatedly shown that police officers and firefighters face elevated health risks that can shorten careers and lives. A long-term mortality study of police officers published in Policing: An International Journal found officers experienced a higher risk of early death compared with the general population, particularly during the first years of service.
Mental health is also a significant concern among public safety workers. Studies show that about one in four first responders experience depression, a statistic that reflects only reported and diagnosed cases.
Suicide has also emerged as a leading cause of death among first responders. The Ruderman Family Foundation reported that more police officers and firefighters died by suicide in 2017 than were killed in the line of duty, citing higher rates of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder tied to repeated exposure to traumatic incidents. Nationally, more officers die from suicide than from line-of-duty deaths in many years.
Firefighters also face increased cancer risks due to repeated exposure to hazardous materials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says firefighters are frequently exposed to carcinogens such as benzene, formaldehyde and asbestos during emergency responses. The agency created the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer to study those risks, while the International Association of Fire Fighters reports firefighters are more likely than the general population to develop several types of cancer.
Research also shows first responders are exposed to far more traumatic events than most civilians. The Law Enforcement Alliance for Peer Support cites research indicating first responders encounter an average of 178 critical incidents over the course of their careers, compared with two to three traumatic events experienced by the average civilian.
Occupational stress has also been linked to higher rates of family strain among public safety workers. Research published by the University of Maryland School of Public Health found that irregular schedules, cumulative trauma and shift work contribute to increased marital instability among police officers and other first responders.
Public safety organizations across Mississippi have also weighed in on the debate surrounding Senate Bill 2103 and proposed retirement changes.
In a March 6 Facebook statement, the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police said it appreciates the House’s efforts to work with first responders as lawmakers consider changes to the retirement system.
“We appreciate the House working with first responders and recognizing that recruitment and retention are critical for Mississippi’s public safety community,” the organization said in a Facebook statement. “First responders face extraordinary physical and mental health demands while protecting our communities, and many are looking for the stability needed to continue serving safely and effectively. We look forward to continuing to work with the Senate as discussions move forward to support those who protect Mississippi every day.”
The organization also said the House amendment maintains eight-year vesting for first responders and does not include a back-to-work provision.
The Mississippi Deputy Sheriffs Association has also urged lawmakers to continue considering the legislation, warning that allowing the bill to die could send the wrong message to public safety workers and educators across the state.
“The men and women who serve as deputies, police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and teachers across Mississippi do not ask for much,” the association said in a social media statement. “They simply ask for the ability to do their jobs, protect their communities, and provide for their families with dignity and security.”
The group emphasized that Senate Bill 2103 represents more than a political debate.
“SB 2103 is not a political talking point. It is about the future of public safety and education in our state,” the Mississippi Deputy Sheriff’s Association posted.
The organization also urged lawmakers to give the House amendment full consideration and called on first responders and citizens to contact senators and the lieutenant governor’s office about the issue.
“We are hearing concerning rumors that Senate leadership may allow this bill to die without proper consideration,” the Mississippi Deputy Sheriff’s Association said, encouraging first responders to attend the First Responders Caucus at the State Capitol on March 12.
“When we stand united, our voices are harder to ignore,” the association said.
Matuszewski said first responder organizations are increasingly paying attention to how lawmakers approach public safety issues and retirement policy.
He said groups representing thousands of public safety workers are closely tracking legislative votes and will likely play a larger role in evaluating candidates in future elections.
“First responders show up for the people we protect and serve each and every day,” Matuszewski said. “We have the right to expect our elected officials to do the same for us.”
An email seeking comment from Hosemann’s office was not answered by press time.
