This bill amends the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 5-10-52a, to the Public Employees Retirement Act. It specifically allows certain staff members employed at Hopemont Hospital, Jackie Withrow Hospital, John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center, and Lakin State Hospital to begin drawing their retirement benefit annuity before the standard retirement age of 60 for Tier 1 participants and 62 for Tier 2 participants. Eligible staff members must have been employed at these facilities on October 21, 2025, and must have been over the age of 55 on that date.

The bill clarifies that these provisions do not alter any other existing retirement laws and stipulates that individuals who begin receiving their retirement benefit annuity under this section will be considered retired from a participating public employer for the purposes of coverage by the Public Employees Insurance Agency. This change aims to provide flexibility for certain long-serving staff members in the public health sector, allowing them to access their retirement benefits earlier than typically permitted.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-10-52a