Ballots for the retiree representative to the PERS Board of Trustees will be mailed out on March 17, 2023. The deadline for receipt of ballots is April 21, 2023. The candidates in the runoff are George Dale and Bonnie Granger. Having retired members on the PERS Board that support maintaining existing benefits of PERS for current and future retirees is critically essential. To assist retiree members in making an informed decision, MRPEA is providing Candidate Qualifications, Candidate Surveys, and historical information about the recent vote of the PERS Board to increase employer contribution rates:
Candidate Qualifications: The work of the PERS Board involves complicated financial, legal, and administrative decision-making focused on maintaining the financial integrity and benefits of the retirement system.
George R. Dale (Clinton)
• Mississippi College, master’s
• Mississippi Department of Insurance, commissioner
• Moss Point High School; teacher, coach, and principal
• Administrative Assistant to Governor Bill Waller
I am completing my first term as a member of the PERS Board. It has been an honor to serve. During my term, I have not missed a board meeting. When I started on the Pers Board, we had a cash reserve of approximately 26.5 billion dollars. That amount has increased to around 36 billion dollars. This board has been very conservative with your retirement funds. I have championed the idea that retired teachers collect their pension, but be allowed to work under contract with the public school system. I would appreciate your vote. George Dale
Bonnie J. Granger (Ocean Springs)
• Loyola University School of Law, Juris Doctorate
• University of Southern Mississippi, master’s
• Hattiesburg Public School District, chief financial officer
• Certified Public Accountant
• Attorney, Mississippi and Louisiana
I have vast knowledge and experience in government finance. My career began with the State Auditor’s Office and transitioned into public school district finance, where I served three districts as Finance Director. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi and my law degree from Loyola University. I am a licensed CPA and an attorney in Mississippi. My experience gives me an unparalleled advantage in understanding the PERS system. I strongly support maintaining both the health and member benefits of the PERS system for current and future retirees. Thank you for your support.
Candidate Surveys: MRPEA conducted surveys of each candidate to assess their support for maintaining current retirement system benefits. Members are urged to review the full response of each candidate to the survey. Below are the answers from the survey typed for viewing.
Recent vote of the PERS Board to increase employer contribution rates: At its meeting on December 20, 2022, the PERS Board, based on recommendations of the system’s actuaries and staff, voted to increase employer contributions to make PERS benefits sustainable now and into the future. An excerpt from the PERS Board Meeting Minutes that includes the vote of each member is below for your review.
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Minutes | Board of Trustees
Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi
December 20, 2022 | PERS Board Room
Page 4
Motion: To increase the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi employer contribution rate from 17.4 percent to 22.4 percent as of October 1, 2023.
• Made by: McCoy.
• Seconded by: Hanna.
• Discussion: None.
• Voting for: Benson, Breland, Hanna, Howard, McCoy, Rutledge, and Smith.
• Voting against: Dale, Graham, and McRae.
• Absent: None.
• Duly Passed
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Please check your mail and complete and return your ballot right away after carefully reviewing all of the information provided here. Make your choice for the person you believe will best serve the interests of current and future retirees. Also, please encourage other retirees to vote as well and share the information provided in this communication. Thank you in advance for your participation in this very important election. Your voice matters!!!