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Hearing Rumors? Not sure your co-worker has it right?

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  • The Difference Between the 1099-R and W-2 forms?

    Nov 18, 2022, 9:25 AM By MOSERS
    Hi. I retired January 1, 2022. Where would I look to find my 2021 and 2022 W-2. 

    I believe you may be referring to a 1099-R form.

     A 1099-R shows distributions you have received from pensions and other retirement plans. A W-2 form comes from an employer, not from MOSERS. A W-2 shows income you’ve earned from your employer.

    MOSERS provides you with a 1099-R tax form. This form lists your 2022 retirement benefit income from MOSERS. You will need this form to file your income tax return. If you receive more than one benefit from MOSERS, you may receive more than one 1099-R from us.

    We will mail your 1099-R form by the end of January 2023. You can also access it online by logging into myMOSERS. You will find it under Personal Information and available for you to save or print. If you are unable to log in to myMOSERS, call us at (800) 827-1063 or (573) 632-6100 and we can mail you a replacement. For security reasons, we cannot email it to you.

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  • Ready to Retire Seminars

    Nov 4, 2022, 3:55 PM By MOSERS
    I was wondering if there are person to person retirement seminars. I retire in 2024. 

    Congrats on your upcoming retirement! Yes, we do offer our Ready to Retire session as both in-person seminars and online webinars. As a member who has less than 5 years until retirement eligibility, attending a Ready to Retire session is a great decision and one that will allow you to learn more about the retirement process and how you can prepare. Our seminars are full for the remainder of this year, however, we will be releasing the education schedules for 2023 in mid-December. Be sure to check the Education page on our website and watch your email for updates.  

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  • Does MOSERS use gross wages for FAP?

    Oct 21, 2022, 2:50 PM By MOSERS
    Final Average Page - I know it is highest 36 months, but do you use Gross Wages or Federal/state taxable wages. Thank you. 

    In calculating pension benefit amounts, for final average pay (FAP), we use gross salary (before taxes, health insurance, cafeteria plan, etc.).

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  • Is Amendment 1 about MOSERS' Investments?

    Oct 20, 2022, 10:58 AM By MOSERS
    I saw Amendment 1 on the ballot for November. Does that allow the state legislature to take over MOSERS funds?

    Thank you for contacting us to ask about Amendment No. 1 on the November 8th voting ballot. It is relative to “state investments” and is not a provision related to the MOSERS trust fund or our investment program. This provision was passed by the General Assembly in 2021 under HJR 35 to be placed before Missouri voters. This ballot issue would expand authorized investments in which the State Treasurer may invest State treasury funds. 

    The assets held for paying MOSERS members’ current and future retirement benefits are held in the MOSERS Trust Fund, which is governed by our 11-member Board of Trustees per state statute in Chapter 104. Likewise, this trust fund cannot be co-mingled with any other funds per state statute in Section 105.662, and is separate from State treasury dollars.

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  • Do I have to pick my plan a year before I retire?

    Oct 20, 2022, 10:51 AM By MOSERS
    I am eligible for retirement 2/1/2024, I have heard that if I don't pick my retirement plan by this February (2/1/2023) a plan will be picked for me? The seminars and webinars are full, from now to end of December. I am worried I may not get the retirement option I want now!

    All eligible state employees are members of a retirement plan based on when they are first employed in a MOSERS benefit-eligible position and their vested status.

     Our records indicate that you are a member of MSEP. State law allows members of MSEP to choose either MSEP or MSEP 2000 at the time of retirement. A plan will not be picked for you. Your plan is not dependent upon if you attend a Ready to Retire seminar or not. Additionally, you are not required to make that decision a year in advance.

     It is important for you to learn about the retirement process and your choices at retirement. Below are options:

    • We have a Ready to Retire webinar on December 1, 2022, which we have opened up to additional attendees. You may register via myMOSERS or contact us at MOSERSEducation@mosers.org.
    • At any time of year, you may call or make an in-person appointment to meet individually with a MOSERS benefit counselor to discuss your options.
    • In mid-December, we will post the education schedule for next year to our website. We encourage you to watch for that and, as soon as possible, register to attend an in-person seminar or webinar.
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  • Taxes and Living Out of State

    Oct 13, 2022, 8:52 AM By MOSERS

    In reading the "rumors" responses, it sounded as if I would not owe Missouri state taxes if I live outside of Missouri (I live in New York State since 2007), and get a pension from MOSERS for working in Missouri before we moved to New York. Is that true?

    If you are retired and not a Missouri resident, please contact the Missouri Department of Revenue and state tax agency in your state for additional information, to inquire if you will need to file a state tax return in either or both states, and to determine the taxability of your MOSERS benefit where you live. Our staff is not authorized to provide tax advice.

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  • Leaving State Employment Before Retirement Age

    Oct 13, 2022, 8:23 AM By MOSERS
    What happens to my MOSERS retirement benefit if I leave employment before retirement age?

    If you are a vested member of MSEP or MSEP 2000 and leave state employment prior to retirement, your pension stays secure with MOSERS and will be available to you when become eligible and complete the retirement process. See Leaving State Employment for more information.

    Keep in mind that any benefit estimates you may have received assume you worked until your normal retirement date. If you leave employment, you will stop accruing service credit. As a result, your first eligible normal retirement date may be later and your benefit amount will be less. You may contact a MOSERS benefit counselor to get a revised estimate of your future benefit.

    If you are a member of MSEP 2011, the same is true. Alternatively, you have the option to request a Refund of Employee Contributions. If you elect a refund, there is a 90-day waiting period and you will forfeit your future rights to receive a pension from MOSERS.

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  • Locating Your 1099-R

    Sep 22, 2022, 4:05 PM By MOSERS

    How do I get a copy of my 2021 1099? 

    You can find a replacement copy of your 1099-R form by logging into myMOSERS. Select Personal Information and from there you will find it available for you to download and print.

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  • Accrued Annual Leave

    Sep 13, 2022, 1:50 PM By MOSERS

    I have approximately 8 weeks of accrued Annual Leave. Could I potentially take 4-6 weeks of my leave prior to my retirement date and theoretically leave my position early?

    Your specific question is outside the purview of MOSERS. Please discuss your questions about taking annual leave with your supervisor and/or HR representative. It is also important that you find out if there is a limit on how many hours of unused annual leave your employer will pay out when you retire. Again, it is your agency that determines the amount of vacation/annual leave that you can get paid for, not MOSERS. Limits on how much they will pay out may vary from one agency to another.

    If your employer approves the use of annual leave prior to your retirement date, you would still be considered an active employee, would still be accruing service credit, and would still have your insurance coverage while taking annual leave. Your employer may require you to return to work prior to your retirement date.

    As it relates to your MOSERS benefits, the amount of unused annual leave you have at retirement has no impact on your MOSERS retirement benefits. However, unused sick leave may increase the amount of your service credit and your monthly retirement benefit. See our Life Events page for more information on both unused annual leave and unused sick leave. Contact a MOSERS benefit counselor directly if you have any further questions about your pension benefits. 

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  • Updating Your Name

    Sep 6, 2022, 8:01 AM By MOSERS
    How do I update my marital status in my personal information?

    The process for changing your name or marital status in our system is different, depending on if you are an active employee or if you are receiving a MOSERS benefit.

    Retirees and Beneficiaries

    If you are currently receiving a pension benefit of any kind, you must submit proof to MOSERS to change your name or marital status. For proof of name change, we accept an updated Missouri driver’s license showing your new name. For proof of name change and marital status change, we can accept a divorce decree or a marriage certificate.

    We also require proof of name change for any inactive vested member or beneficiary applying for survivor or remaining guaranteed payments.

    We accept documents of proof in the form of photo or electronic copy. You can mail, e-mail, fax, or upload documents through myMOSERS

    Active Employees

    If you are currently an active state employee, you do not have to provide documentation for a name change or marital status change. You can update your marital status by logging in to myMOSERS. Simply select Personal Information, then click Update Information and scroll down to change your marital status.

    If you are unable to log in, contact a MOSERS benefit counselor for assistance. 

     

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Disclaimer

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.