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  • Returning to Work

    Jun 22, 2022, 8:59 AM By MOSERS

    Hello. Quick question. I am a current state retiree, and am starting to work part time with a state agency. I know that I'm limited to 1,000 hours in a calendar year. However, is there a weekly or monthly maximum of hours? I have never heard that there was, but I may be working quite a few hours for short periods of time, and I wanted to make sure there would be no issues. Thanks!

    Before receiving a benefit payment from MOSERS, IRS rules require a “bona fide termination” of your employment. Upon meeting the termination and reemployment rules, you may return to work and continue receiving your monthly pension payment, as long as your position is not a MOSERS or MoDOT and Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS) benefit-eligible position.

    Generally speaking, an employee must work in a position normally requiring at least 1,040 hours per year to qualify for MOSERS benefits. It is the responsibility of the employer, not MOSERS, to determine if a position is eligible for MOSERS benefits. Therefore, your new employer would make the decision regarding your question about a maximum amount of weekly or monthly hours. Once your employer has notified you if it is a benefit-eligible position or not, we encourage you to contact a MOSERS benefit counselor to discuss your specific situation.

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  • MOSERS Covered Employers

    May 14, 2021, 8:21 AM By MOSERS

    I was wondering what other occupations may qualify towards my retirement? 

    You can review the full list of MOSERS covered employers to see what state agencies receive our benefits. Generally speaking, an employee must work in a position normally requiring at least 1,040 hours per year to qualify for MOSERS benefits. It is important to note that it is the responsibility of the employer, not MOSERS, to determine if a position is eligible for MOSERS benefits. If you were to go to work for any other MOSERS covered employer in a benefit-eligible position, it would add to your existing state service.

    Depending upon your plan membership (MSEP, MSEP 2000, or MSEP 2011), you may be able to purchase or transfer service from one retirement system to another, including the following types of service

    • Service with MODOT or the Missouri Highway Patrol
    • Service with a city, county, or public school in Missouri
    • Prior military service

    Purchasing or transferring service may increase your pension benefit and may make you eligible for retirement sooner. For more information contact a MOSERS benefit counselor and see

    Purchasing and Transferring Service Guide for MSEP (Closed Plan) Members

    Purchasing and Transferring Service Guide for MSEP 2000 Members

    Purchasing and Transferring Service Guide for MSEP 2011 Members

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  • Re-employment with the State

    Feb 19, 2021, 4:50 PM By MOSERS
    Regarding the new severed employment rule, is the University of Missouri or State Technical College considered part of "the State of Missouri". When can someone who left a position under MOSERS begin interviewing for positions with the University of Missouri or State Tech? Thank you.

    As you consider reemployment after leaving your current position, please review the list of MOSERS-covered employers.

    The University of Missouri is not a MOSERS-covered employer, so you could begin interviewing with them at any time.

    State Technical College of Missouri is a MOSERS-covered employer so you must have a “bona fide termination” with your current employer before reemployment with State Tech or any other MOSERS-covered employer.

    For purposes of MOSERS Board Rules, a "bona fide termination" occurs when:

    • You have completely severed employment;
    • You have not entered into a prearranged agreement (written or oral), prior to retirement, with the State of Missouri or any MOSERS-covered employer for subsequent employment on any basis (full-time, part-time, or other); and
    • You are not subsequently employed with the State of Missouri or any MOSERS-covered employer on any basis (full-time, part-time, or other) within 30 days after your employment with your prior employer has ended.

    Practically speaking that means you must wait until after your retirement date (the first day of the month in which you begin receiving retirement benefits) to interview with any MOSERS-covered employer. However, you could not be rehired prior to the expiration of the 30-day separation-of-service period.

    Example: Let’s say you plan to retire in May. Your last day at work is April 23rd but you take annual leave for the rest of the month until April 30.

    • Your “termination date” would be April 30.
    • Your “retirement date” would be May 1.
    • Assuming you meet the deadlines and complete all the steps for retirement, we would issue your first monthly pension payment on May 31.

    In this scenario, you may begin interviewing with other MOSERS-covered employers on or after May 1. You may begin reemployment with a MOSERS-covered employer on or after May 31. Please note, if your reemployment is in a MOSERS benefit-eligible position, your monthly pension payments from MOSERS will stop.

    For additional information, please see: Ready to Retire and Working After Retirement on our website or contact us to speak with a MOSERS benefit counselor about your particular situation.

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  • The Impact of Reduced Salary on Benefits

    Jun 9, 2020, 10:17 AM By MOSERS
    Assuming someone is nearing retirement and their salary is at its highest point to date, would there be any difference between a salary reduction or a furlough in terms of how it impacts FAP or MOSERS benefits? And would it make a difference if furloughed employees were allowed to use FMLA or other accrued leave to cover furloughed days?

    The impact of a salary reduction or furlough/layoff without pay on retirement benefits depends on the employee’s individual pay history and their service credit relative to retirement eligibility. FAP refers to final average pay and it is one part of the 3-part formula used in calculating retirement benefits:

    FAP x Multiplier x Credited Service = Monthly pension benefit payment

    FAP is calculated from the employee’s highest 36-consecutive months of pay, not necessarily their last 36 months of pay. See some FAP calculation examples that illustrate the impact of a salary reduction or a furlough/layoff without pay on FAP and monthly pension benefits. A furlough/layoff without pay may also delay eligibility for retirement since the employee would not be earning service credit.

    You should discuss using annual leave or FMLA leave with your Human Resources staff. If you go on paid leave at your current salary or unpaid FMLA leave due to your own illness, it would have no impact on your pension benefits. Payment for unused annual leave, unused sick leave or any other one-time payouts are not considered pay for retirement purposes and are not included in an employee’s highest 36-consecutive months of pay.

    If you are close to retirement, we encourage you to contact a MOSERS benefit counselor to discuss your individual situation and options.

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We strive to provide the most accurate information possible in our answers to Rumor Central questions. However, occasionally, laws, policies or provisions change and individual circumstances may vary. Please contact a MOSERS benefit counselor or see the handbooks in our website Library for more detailed information. If there is any difference between the information provided in this blog or on the MOSERS website and the law or policies that govern MOSERS, the law and policies will prevail. See our Privacy, Security & Legal Notices for more information.