State of Mississippi Archives: on Social Security

Jim Hood: Let public employees run for office & still draw pensions

Some education supporters envisioned that the ruling would result in more pro-education retired teachers running and winning legislative seats.

Of Gunn's prediction that the opinion would be changed, Hood said, "The PERS Board voted overwhelmingly to move forward with adopting regulations effective at the start of the 2020 legislative session that would allow state retirees to serve in the Legislature without forfeiting their hard-earned retirement. This won't change with a new AG. I support everyone's right to run, and I think people who have worked as public servants for the state would make great lawmakers."

Jim Hood: Encourage more state retirees to run for state legislature

The once obscure question of whether retired public employees can collect state pensions while serving in the Mississippi Legislature looms large in some Democrats' electoral hopes for 2019 [by allowing more experienced candidates to run for the state legislature]. Hood accused Republicans of trying to pressure the pension system board to flout his opinion or delay complying until after the March 1 election qualifying deadline. That could cut retired public employees running for office.

David Baria: Protect Social Security from privatization

David Baria (D): No. Protect Social Security from privatization.

Roger Wicker (R): No current statement found, but some previous support for letting workers invest portion in private accounts.

Roger Wicker: Let workers invest portion in private accounts

David Baria (D): No. Protect Social Security from privatization.

Roger Wicker (R): No current statement found, but some previous support for letting workers invest portion in private accounts.

David Baria: Work hard to protect people's Social Security benefits

Vicki Slater: Fight to keep 100% full pensions for retirees

The group, undaunted by heat, held signs that said "Fund our pension 100 percent" and "It's time for criminal charges." Slater said she could relate to the loss of a promised pension plan. She said her husband worked for General Motors Co. for 28 years and when he left after a layoff, his pension was reduced by more than 75%. "You do your planning, you live life and follow the rules," she said. "Then you get up one day and your pension's not there. It's not your fault."

"We've been working hard," said one picketing retiree to Slater, "and we needed a little bit of hope. You gave it to us."

"Just her being here speaks volumes," another retiree said. "Any exposure we can get is nice."