The bill S. 521 proposes an amendment to the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 9-11-28, which allows municipal court judges the option to participate in the Police Officers Retirement System. This provision is set to take effect after December 31, 2025, giving municipal councils the authority to decide whether their judges will join this retirement system or remain in the existing South Carolina Retirement System.

Additionally, the bill outlines a specific timeframe from July 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026, during which municipal judges can transfer their credited service from the South Carolina Retirement System to the Police Officers Retirement System. This transfer requires the payment of accumulated contributions and interest, along with an additional five percent of the judge's annual salary for each year of service. After the specified date, the transfer process will follow the guidelines established in Section 9-11-40(9). The bill will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
04/01/2025: 9-11-28
Latest Version: 9-11-28