MoDOT & Patrol Employees’ Retirement System
MPERS provides a $5,000 death benefit to members who retire directly from active employment, work-related disability recipients, and long-term disability recipients who retire on or after September 28, 1985.
Your eligible spouse will receive 50% of the lifetime base benefit amount you are receiving at the time of your death. The survivor benefit will continue for the life of your spouse, even if your spouse remarries. In the Closed Plan, there is no reduction in your benefit to provide this option. The reduction in the Year 2000 Plan and 2011 Tier is based on your age at retirement and the age difference between you and your spouse.
A form used to report pension income distributions. MPERS mails it annually by the end of January. It is needed for tax filing and is also available electronically via myMPERS.
The percentage of salary that 2011 Tier members must contribute to the retirement system. The contributions are made on a pre-tax basis and used to help pay the cost of the member’s future retirement benefits.
Your eligible spouse receives 50% of your lifetime base benefit after your death. The benefit continues for life, even if the spouse remarries. Reductions vary by plan and age differences.
The value of a member’s creditable service held by MPERS or another retirement system, whether fully funded or not.
An expert in risk analysis and retirement plan financing, typically a member of the American Academy of Actuaries or enrolled under ERISA.
A form that allows MPERS to release specific personal information to another person or organization, with your consent.
A retirement payment option for Closed Plan and Year 2000 Plan members, offering a one-time lump-sum payment in addition to monthly benefits. Requires working at least two years past normal retirement eligibility.
Represents the core component of your retirement income, calculated using a legally defined formula based on creditable service, multiplier, and final average pay.
The formula: Final Average Pay × Creditable Service × Multiplier = Monthly Base Benefit. It determines your monthly retirement income.
If a member dies before retirement and no survivor benefits are payable, the named beneficiary receives a refund of the employee’s contributions.
A benefit estimate provides you with information outlining the amount of your future MPERS pension benefit. The amounts are based on a specific retirement date. It also shows estimates of monthly pension benefit amounts if you elect survivor or BackDROP benefits.
A form completed by survivors of deceased members to determine who is entitled to the final or continuing benefit when a beneficiary is unknown.
Choices at retirement that determine post-death payments. Options include life income annuity, joint & survivor, and life income with guaranteed payments.
A job typically requiring at least 1,040 hours per year, as determined by the employer, qualifying the employee for retirement benefits.
The 11-member governing body that oversees MPERS operations and ensures the system serves its members' best interests.
If a minor child is due survivor benefits and has no living parent, MPERS requires a court-certified conservatorship order. At age 18, the child receives payments directly.
An annual increase to retirement benefits to offset inflation. Based on 80% of the CPI-U increase, capped at 5%. Special rules apply for Closed Plan members hired before August 28, 1997.
Service accrued before your most recent MPERS membership date, used to determine benefit eligibility and amount.
The total years and full months of service earned, used in calculating your monthly pension benefit.
A military discharge record used to determine eligibility for service credit under USERRA.
Required documentation for MPERS to process survivor and death benefits.
MPERS operates as a tax-qualified defined benefit plan (DB) under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. A defined benefit (DB) plan requires a member to be vested (work a set number of years in a benefit-eligible position) and provides a set benefit (based on salary and creditable service) for life, once a member meets the age and service requirements for retirement. In other words, the “benefit” is “defined” by the law. A DB plan can be either contributory or noncontributory. The Closed Plan and the 2000 Plan are non-contributory DB plans. The 2011 Tier is a contributory DB plan, in which members contribute 4% of their pay to the retirement system.
A retirement savings plan where you and/or your employer contribute, and you manage investments to build retirement income.
A form to legally appoint someone to make MPERS-related decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
The standard method for receiving monthly pension payments, deposited directly into your bank account.
A court order allowing MPERS to divide pension benefits with an ex-spouse following divorce, up to 50% of the benefit accrued during marriage.
2011 Tier members contribute 4% of pre-tax income to fund future pension benefits.
The percentage of payroll contributed by MoDOT or MSHP to fund pensions, calculated annually by an actuary and certified by the MPERS Board.
Contributions made by MoDOT or MSHP to fund pensions, calculated annually by an actuary and certified by the MPERS Board.
The average of your highest 36 consecutive months of pay, used in calculating your pension benefit.
The full monthly benefit paid for the month in which a member passes away, deposited or paid as provided by law.
The largest source of MPERS pension funding, supplemented by employer and employee contributions.
State laws passed by the Missouri legislature that govern MPERS pension provisions.
A retirement benefit option with no survivor benefits; payments stop at death, but a beneficiary receives the final benefit payment.
This option reduces your retirement benefit but allows you to name any person or organization as a beneficiary to receive your final benefit payment and the remaining number of guaranteed payments (if any). For the Closed Plan, you have the choice of 60 or 120 guaranteed payments. For the Year 2000 Plan and 2011 Tier, you have the option of 120 or 180 guaranteed payments.
A one-time payment available through BackDROP at retirement. It equals 90% of the monthly benefits during the BackDROP period and reduces future monthly benefits.
Online sessions by MPERS and MO Deferred Comp to educate mid-career employees on pension benefits and retirement planning.
May qualify for automatic or purchased service credit under USERRA. Closed and 2000 Plan members may purchase up to four years of prior active-duty service.
A voluntary retirement savings plan to supplement your MPERS pension and Social Security.
A recurring monthly payment after retirement, based on final average pay, creditable service, and multiplier.
A percentage used in the benefit formula: 1.6% for Closed Plan, 1.7% for 2000 Plan/2011 Tier, and 0.8% for Temporary Benefit.
MPERS’ online portal for accessing personal benefit info, submitting forms, and generating estimates.
Completed by the natural parent with custody of a minor child. At age 18, the child receives payments directly.
A National Guard Bureau form showing retirement points, used to verify service for Closed Plan members.
A state job without retirement benefits. You can work in such a position and still receive MPERS retirement benefits.
A former employee who didn’t meet the vesting requirement (usually five years). Service may be restored after reemployment and one year of membership.
The age and service point at which you qualify for full, unreduced pension benefits.
Step 1 of the retirement process. Must be submitted at least one month and one day before retirement, and no more than 120 days in advance.
MPERS benefit payments are made on the last working day of each month via direct deposit.
If a spouse dies after a survivor option was selected, the retiree’s benefit increases ('pops up') to the full amount.
A legal document allowing someone to act on your behalf for MPERS matters. Must be approved by MPERS.
In-person sessions for members within five years of retirement, covering pension benefits and retirement planning.
Online sessions for members nearing retirement, covering the same topics as the seminars.
A Missouri tax deduction for part of your MPERS pension. Consult the Department of Revenue or a tax advisor.
Allows eligible members to buy credit for prior public service to increase future pension benefits. Must be completed before retirement.
See the Leaving State Employment brochure for more information about receiving a refund of your contributions.
A member who has met age and service requirements and completed the retirement process by submitting the required forms.
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Step 2 of the retirement process where you choose your pension plan, BackDROP (if eligible), and benefit payment options.
For Closed and Year 2000 Plan members: age 48+ with age + service = 80 or more qualifies for full retirement.
For 2011 Tier members: age 55+ with age + service = 90 or more qualifies for full retirement. Not for vested-former members.
A feature on the MPERS website to send documents electronically instead of mailing or faxing.
Allows eligible members to buy prior public service credit, potentially increasing benefits or allowing earlier retirement.
Allows eligible members to transfer prior public service credit at no cost, increasing benefits or allowing earlier retirement.
One month of creditable service for every 168 hours of unused sick leave at retirement. Cannot be used for eligibility.
A separate retirement benefit from MPERS. Apply at ssa.gov or your local SSA office.
A $90/month benefit until age 65 for eligible uniformed patrol members under the Closed Plan. Subject to earnings limits.
The person to whom you are legally married.
A form required for eligible recipients to begin receiving survivor benefits.
Individuals legally entitled or designated to receive benefits after your death (e.g., spouse, child).
MPERS pension payments are taxable. A 1099-R is issued annually for tax reporting.
A supplemental benefit for Year 2000 Plan and 2011 Tier retirees until age 62. Ends at age 62.
Your last day of work in a benefit-eligible position. Coordinate with your employer to finalize.
Having enough service (usually 5 years) to qualify for a future pension benefit.
A former employee who is entitled to a future pension benefit once age requirements are met.