MoDOT & Patrol Employees’ Retirement System
Knowing your retirement eligibility date matters well before you are ready to retire. It shapes when you can begin the formal retirement process, how you use your remaining years of service, and what your monthly benefit will look like, depending on when you leave.
MPERS has several resources that can help you find that date and understand what it means for you.
Know your plan. Eligibility requirements differ by plan tier. If you are not sure which plan you are in, start with What Plan Am I In?
Review your eligibility requirements. Once you know your plan, the Retirement Eligibility page has the specific age and service requirements that apply to you for both normal and early retirement.
Run a benefit estimate. The myMPERS benefit estimate tool lets you explore how different retirement dates affect your monthly benefit, based on your actual service and salary. You can compare early and normal retirement outcomes and see how an additional year or two of service would impact your monthly benefit amount.
Talk to a benefit counselor. If you have questions after reviewing your eligibility requirements, MPERS offers personal counseling sessions by appointment. A benefit counselor can walk through your specific situation and help you understand your options before you make any decisions.
Attend a Pre-Retirement Seminar. When you are within five years of retirement eligibility, you will be invited to attend a pre-retirement seminar. These sessions cover benefit calculations, payment options, the retirement application process, service purchases and transfers, and reemployment rules after retirement. It is an opportunity to receive detailed, plan-specific information and ask questions in a setting designed for members actively planning their next steps.
Retirement planning does not have to happen all at once. Start by knowing where you stand, then use the tools and resources MPERS provides to build from there.