South Carolina law enforcement agencies could soon have another way to bring experienced retired officers back to work.

The General Assembly has approved a state budget proviso that would allow eligible members of the Police Officers Retirement System to return to PORS-covered employment after being retired for at least 90 consecutive calendar days. A returning retiree could earn up to $80,000 annually without affecting the monthly retirement allowance received from PORS.

For SCFOP, passage of the proviso represents an important step in an effort that has required sustained advocacy, work with legislative partners, and compromise.

SCFOP has supported changes to South Carolina’s return-to-work rules to give experienced retired officers greater opportunities to continue serving and to give law enforcement agencies another option as they work to meet staffing needs across the state.

The proviso is not everything SCFOP has sought. But it moves the issue forward.

What the Proviso Would Change

Under the proviso approved by the General Assembly, a retired PORS member who has been retired for at least 90 consecutive calendar days could return to employment covered by PORS.

The retiree could earn up to $80,000 annually without affecting the monthly retirement allowance received from PORS.

The proviso also includes two additional limitations. A law enforcement officer who held a supervisory rank at the time of retirement would not be eligible to return to a supervisory position under the proviso. Returning to covered employment would not result in additional service credit.

The change is contained in the state budget and still requires the Governor’s signature.

Putting Experience Back to Work

For law enforcement agencies, the significance extends beyond retirement policy.

Recruiting and retaining qualified officers continues to be a challenge for agencies across South Carolina. Retired officers represent a group of experienced law enforcement professionals who may still want to serve and whose knowledge and experience can be valuable to an agency.

Allowing eligible retirees to return under more workable earnings rules gives departments another option as they address personnel needs.

It is not a complete answer to law enforcement staffing challenges, nor should it be treated as one. Recruiting new officers, retaining current officers, and developing the next generation of law enforcement professionals remain essential.

But allowing qualified retired officers who want to return to service a greater opportunity to do so can be part of the solution.

Progress Through Partnership and Compromise

SCFOP has advocated for changes to the return-to-work rules and has worked with legislative partners to improve the options available to retired law enforcement officers.

Sen. Brian Adams has been a key partner in advancing this issue in the Senate. During consideration of the budget, Adams offered the PORS return-to-work amendment and explained it on the Senate floor.

The amendment ultimately adopted by the Senate was sponsored by Sens. Brian Adams, Billy Garrett, Jeff Zell, and Ronnie Sabb. It passed the Senate on a 24-17 vote before becoming part of the budget approved by the General Assembly.

SCFOP appreciates their work, as well as the support of the other members of the General Assembly who helped move this proviso forward.

Legislative progress often requires compromise, and this proviso is an example.

SCFOP would prefer a return-to-work framework without an earnings cap or mandatory separation period. The $80,000 earnings limit and 90-day separation requirement were part of the compromise necessary to advance the issue.

Accepting those limitations does not change the longer-term objective. It allowed meaningful progress to be made while creating an opportunity to continue working toward a better permanent solution.

The Work Continues

The budget proviso is an important step, but a budget proviso is not the same as permanently changing South Carolina law.

SCFOP’s goal remains permanent legislation that provides an appropriate and sustainable pathway for qualified retired law enforcement officers who want to return to work.

That work will continue with our legislative partners.

For now, the General Assembly’s approval of the return-to-work proviso represents progress for retired officers who still have more to contribute and for agencies that can benefit from their experience.

It took sustained work and compromise to reach this point. SCFOP will continue building on that progress toward a permanent solution for South Carolina law enforcement.