JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippi Senate leaders heard from the current Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Board in the wake of a House bill that aims to replace them.

A majority of their testimony to Senate leaders was to ensure that PERS is in no immediate financial danger. Kimberly Hanna, chairwoman of the PERS Board of Trustees, said she’s raising red flags now to ensure the system is in no immediate danger.

House Bill 1590 aims to address potential financial turmoil in PERS. The bill passed the House earlier this month and would restructure the PERS Board of Trustees to 11 appointed members in lieu of the elected members who currently serve.

Hanna said the Board matters little, and it just comes down to the math.

“This is really just a numbers issue. And regardless of who is on that board, the numbers are still going to be the numbers,” she said.

Senate leaders were able to hear directly from the board on Wednesday.

“Over the last six days, I’ve been contacted by many, many people throughout Mississippi, and there’s true fear with many of them, and I don’t think it’s warranted. I think that, I think the retirement system is, is sound, as it is. We’re just looking at what could happen in the future and how to prepare for it,” said State Senator Chris Johnson (R-District 45).

While both the PERS Board and Senate leaders agree there is no immediate threat, solutions for shoring up PERS are being discussed, everything from adding more PERS Board members to a potential cash infusion from the state.

“Ultimately, that decision will be made in appropriations. But I think from everything I know, that’s an option that’s on the table. We want to make sure that retirees benefits are sound. And so whatever we need to do to do that, we will,” said Johnson.

He said Wednesday’s hearing was more informational than anything. Johnson could not say whether the Senate committee would take up House Bill 1590.