New PA Law Allows Qualified Retirees To Work As EMS Instructors Without Losing Pensions

A new bill that helps address a shortage of qualified trainers for emergency responders has been signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Act 97 of 2026, previously known as Senate Bill 782, received broad bipartisan support, passing by unanimous vote in the State Senate in March and the State House earlier this week.

Under Act 97, retirees from the Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) and the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) are now permitted to work on a part-time basis as certified EMS, fire or police instructors without losing pension benefits.

Any returning retiree would not receive additional benefits or make new contributions to pension systems under the new legislation.