Tennessee Senate Bill SB2058

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 7 and Title 8, relative to retirement benefits for state public safety officers.

Impact

The STAR Act creates a specific pathway for state troopers to potentially increase their retirement payouts as they can receive a calculated monthly retirement benefit after 25 years of service, reaching up to 75% of their average final compensation (AFC). It also provides options for contribution into a Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) where troopers can continue working while having their retirement benefits deposited into a DROP account. This is anticipated to attract and retain quality personnel in law enforcement roles, addressing the growing concerns over officer retention and service quality.

Summary

Senate Bill 2058, known as the Supporting Troopers through Advanced Retirement (STAR) Act, aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically focusing on providing enhanced retirement benefits for state public safety officers, particularly state troopers. The bill introduces a defined benefit retirement plan that allows eligible state troopers to participate in a new STAR plan while offering them various options for their retirement benefits based on their service duration. The new regime will take effect starting July 1, 2026, marking a significant shift in the retirement structure available to this category of public servants.

Contention

Notably, the bill stipulates that state troopers who do not make an irrevocable election to join the STAR plan by a specified deadline will lose eligibility for the enhanced benefits. This has raised concerns from various stakeholders about the pressure it places on existing officers, requiring them to make significant retirement decisions within a limited timeframe. Critics argue this could lead to confusion and disadvantage those who may not fully understand the implications of their choices regarding retirement planning, ultimately impacting their financial security post-employment.