There are two deductions from your paycheck for retirement purposes.

MOSERS members who are in MSEP 2011 or the Judicial Plan 2011 are required to contribute 4% of their pay, which is maintained in an account with interest credited annually. This is an automatic withdrawal and cannot be changed. These mandatory contributions help fund your defined benefit pension from MOSERS. While it cannot be changed, you will get your contributions back in some way; whether it be through a guaranteed lifetime monthly income in retirement or through a refund, if you leave state employment.

Or, you may be referring to MO Deferred Comp. The MO Deferred Comp Plan is a voluntary retirement savings plan designed to help you save additional income to supplement your defined benefit pension and Social Security benefits in retirement. New employees are automatically enrolled at 1% of pay. Unlike your defined benefit pension and Social Security benefits, YOU have control over how much you save in this plan throughout your career, how your dollars are invested, and how you will withdraw those savings in retirement. Visit Just Getting Started to learn more or contact MO Deferred Comp at (800) 392-0925 to make changes. 

Retirement benefits for general state employees (including university employees) are calculated using a three-part formula: FAP x Multiplier x Credited Service = Monthly pension benefit payment. 

Learn more about your benefits in the Summary of Pension Benefit Provisions (All Plans) and by plan on our website: MSEP, MSEP 2000, and MSEP 2011.

You can change your mailing address by logging in to myMOSERS. Select Personal Information then click Update Personal Information. You can also make changes to your email address and phone number(s). Updates to email addresses become effective by the next working day. If you wish, you may choose a future date (up to 3 months ) for other changes to become effective. If you are unable to do so online, please contact a MOSERS benefit counselor, who would be happy to assist you.

It is the responsibility of your employer, not MOSERS, to determine if the position you are working in is a MOSERS 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. If your employer determines that the position is not benefit-eligible and you have followed the termination and reemployment rules outlined below, you may work in that position and still get your MOSERS pension benefits.

Termination and Reemployment Rules

Before receiving a benefit payment from MOSERS, IRS rules require a “bona fide termination” of your employment. 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.

See FAQs on Termination and Reemployment Rules and a flyer on Termination and Reemployment Rules for more information.

Reemployment

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.

If you return to work for the state of Missouri in a MOSERS or MPERS benefit-eligible position:

• Your monthly pension payment will stop.
• Depending on various factors (your plan, how long you work, etc.), you may or may not earn additional credited service during reemployment.
• When you retire again, your monthly pension payment will equal the amount you were receiving when you returned to work plus any additional benefit you may have earned during reemployment.

The Authorization to Release Information form gives us your permission to share or discuss your benefit information with someone else. You may amend or revoke it at any time. You can also set it up to automatically revoke after 90 days. You may submit it at any time by logging in to myMOSERS. During the retirement process, we encourage you to submit this form but it is optional.

Common Reasons to Complete this Form

• Another Person Takes Care of Your Finances - Some members prefer to have a spouse, other family member, advisor, or some other trusted person assume the responsibility for getting information from MOSERS about their benefits either because that person is well versed in such matters or because it is simply easier for that person to understand or get the information in person, over the phone, or via email.
• Housing - If you move, your new housing provider may require proof of your income.
• Military Leave or Other Extended Absence - If you will be away from home for an extended period of time, you may wish to authorize another trusted person to be able to get information from MOSERS on your behalf.
• Change in Marital Status - If you previously completed an Authorization to Release Information form and later get married, divorced, remarried, or have another life event, you may want to consider completing and submitting a new form.

It is possible this employee may have prior state service or may have purchased or transferred service in order to meet the requirements for “80 and Out” or they may be misstating or misunderstanding the terminology. Also, it is important to remember that, in order to retire, members are not required to have age and service equal 80 (or 90 for MSEP 2011) if they meet another set of age and service requirements first. If you or your co-workers have any additional questions about retirement eligibility, see the requirements and click on the plan information below or contact a MOSERS benefit counselor.  

NORMAL (UNREDUCED) RETIREMENT ELIGIBILITY  REQUIREMENTS:

MSEP Members

• Age 65 + 5 years of service or
• Age 60 + 15 years of service or
• “Rule of 80” – (at least age 48) when age + years of service = 80 or more

MSEP 2000 Members

• Age 62 + 5 years of service or
• “Rule of 80” – (at least age 48) when age + years of service = 80 or more

MSEP 2011 Members

• Age 67 + 5 years of service or
• “Rule of 90” – (at least age 55) when age + years of service = 90 or more at time of termination

EARLY (REDUCED) RETIREMENT ELIGIBILITY  REQUIREMENTS:

If you elect early retirement, your base benefit will be reduced by one-half of one percent (0.005) for each month your age at early retirement is younger than your normal retirement age.

MSEP: Age 55 with 10 years of service

MSEP 2000: Age 57 with 5 years of service

MSEP 2011: Age 62 with 5 years of service

Any member who is currently receiving a pension benefit of any kind or who is an inactive-vested member must submit proof to change their name or marital status.

Proof of name change is required:

• For any member when applying for retirement or after retirement if the name or information provided on the retirement application or other form differs from our records.
• For any member when applying for a refund of employee contributions.
• For any beneficiary applying for survivor or remaining guaranteed payments.

For proof of name change and marital status, we can accept a divorce decree or a marriage certificate.

We accept documents of proof in the format of photo or electronic copy. You can mail, e-mail, upload through myMOSERS account, or fax them to us.

If you have additional questions, please contact a MOSERS benefit counselor at (800) 827-1063 or (573) 632-6100.

If you are currently an active state employee, you do not have to provide any documentation for these changes. Just contact a MOSERS benefit counselor at (800) 827-1063 or (573) 632-6100 so that they can verify your identity and update your name in our system.

However, any member who is currently receiving a pension benefit of any kind or who is an inactive-vested member must submit proof to change their name or marital status.

Proof of name change is also required:

• For any member when applying for retirement or after retirement if the name or information provided on the retirement application or other form differs from our records.
• For any member when applying for a refund of employee contributions.
• For any beneficiary applying for survivor or remaining guaranteed payments.

We accept documents of proof in the format of photo or electronic copy. You can mail, e-mail, upload through myMOSERS account, or fax them to us.

When you move into a new age bracket, the premiums go up. To decrease your optional life insurance, please complete an Enrollment/Change - Optional Life Insurance form and submit it to MOSERS. You can complete the form and submit it electronically by logging in to myMOSERS This can be done any time throughout the year. Remember, to be eligible for future annual review periods, you must maintain at least $10,000 of optional life insurance coverage.

Any change in the employer contribution rate does not impact retiree benefits. As compared to last year, the employer contribution rate certified this year by the MOSERS Board of Trustees represents a higher contribution for one year of service for active members and one year of payment on the plan’s unfunded actuarial accrued liability.

 System funding comes from three sources:

• investment income,
• employer contributions, and
• employee contributions (from those first employed on or after January 1, 2011).
  

For more information on MOSERS’ Employer Contribution Rate,  please see the Employer Contribution Rate infographic or feel free to contact us if you have further questions.