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Covington County approves one-time lump-sum payments for eligible retirees under Act 608
Summary
The commission unanimously adopted Resolution No. 26-05-26-01 to provide a one-time lump-sum payment to retirees (or beneficiaries) who retired before Oct. 1, 2025, directing county funds to the Employees' Retirement System with payment scheduled for October 2026.
The Covington County Commission unanimously approved a resolution May 26 adopting the state provision that allows a one-time lump-sum payment to eligible county retirees and beneficiaries.
County Administrator Karen L. Sowell told commissioners the Legislature’s Act 608 permits local units to provide the payment; the county must provide funds to the Employees' Retirement System by September and retirees would receive the lump sum in October 2026. "This is only for retirees that retired prior to October 1, 2025, and stated this is only a one-time lump sum," Sowell said during the meeting.
Commissioner Tommy McGaha made the motion to approve the county’s participation; Commissioner Ben Courson seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The commission adopted Resolution No. 26-05-26-01 formalizing the action and Michael Smith, chairman, certified the resolution as a true and correct copy of the action taken May 26, 2026.
The resolution directs the county to cover all costs required by the Employees' Retirement System for eligible retirees and beneficiaries. The commission did not specify the total dollar amount the county will remit; the timeline for county payment to the pension system is the statutory window described by Sowell.
