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  • Changing Jobs Before Vesting

    Jan 31, 2025, 2:00 PM By MOSERS

    I currently work for Missouri State University, I will not be vested until 11/01/2026. I am thinking of applying for a job with Missouri Department of Economic Development, if I do I will start prior to my vested date with MSU, how would this affect my pension account?

    Since you are already working in a MOSERS benefit-eligible position, you can transfer to any other MOSERS-covered employer in a benefit-eligible position, and your service credit will transfer with you, even if you are not yet vested. Once vested, you are eligible for a lifetime pension benefit when you also meet the retirement age requirement for your plan.

    If you are an MSEP 2011 member, your employee contributions will earn interest as long as you are actively employed, even if you transfer from one MOSERS-covered position to another.

    MOSERS administers retirement benefits (defined benefit pension and deferred compensation plans) for most benefit-eligible state employees. See our list of MOSERS Covered Employers to learn which state agencies and regional colleges & universities are covered by MOSERS, and the Benefit Providers table to find out who administers various benefits.
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  • Leaving State Employment and Your Pension

    Feb 26, 2024, 8:32 AM By MOSERS
    I started with the State of MO in 2008. If I leave before my early retirement, do I simply walk away from any pension, or is there some type of pension available to me when I reach a certain age? Basically, is my pension an all-or-nothing situation?
    If you are a vested member of MSEP or MSEP 2000 and leave state employment before you are eligible to retire, your pension stays secure with MOSERS and will be available to you when you meet the age requirement and complete the retirement process. Retirees receive a lifetime payment based on a.) a formula set by law and b.)  the option they elect at retirement. See Leaving State Employment for more information.

    There are no forms for you to complete with MOSERS when leaving your position; however, we ask that you keep your contact information current with us as you will receive periodic mailings regarding your retirement information. If you have address, email, or phone number changes, please log in to myMOSERS and to update your personal information or contact our office at (800) 827-1063.

    If you are a vested member of MSEP 2011 and leave state employment before you are eligible to retire, the above information is true unless you take a refund of your employee contributions. If you take a refund, you will forfeit your future rights to receive a pension (lifetime monthly retirement benefits) from MOSERS. Missouri law requires MOSERS to pay your refund within an administratively reasonable period but no sooner than 90 days from the date your state employment ended.
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  • Returning to State Employment

    Aug 16, 2023, 10:35 AM By MOSERS
    Hi there, If I worked for the state for 2.5 years and were to take a position with the state again, would that time count going forward in terms of vested years?

    If you were not vested (did not have at least 5 years of service) when you left state employment, you must complete 12 continuous months of benefit-eligible employment.

    Additionally, if you were a member of MSEP 2011 and took a refund of contributions, you would need to return any refunded contributions plus interest to restore your past service credit.

    See Returning to State Employment and MOSERS Covered Employers for more information. Please feel free to contact a MOSERS benefit counselor at (800) 827-1063 (toll-free) or (573) 632-6100 (in Jefferson City) to discuss your individual situation. 

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  • Leaving State Employment after Becoming Vested

    Dec 14, 2022, 11:41 AM By MOSERS
    Hello, I wanted to know ...Now that I am vested if I leave my employment and take my MOSERS money how much would that be? Also, currently, I contribute .4 percent, can I increase that amount? Thank you!

    Once you are vested (5 years of service for general state employees), you are eligible to receive a future pension benefit from MOSERS, even if you leave state employment. Once you reach retirement age and complete the retirement process, you will receive a monthly pension payment for your lifetime.

    You cannot increase your 4% employee contributions that go into the MOSERS trust fund, but you can certainly increase the amount of supplemental savings that you put in MO Deferred Comp. For many state employees, income in retirement comes from three sources:

    1. Your MOSERS defined benefit pension (based on your years of service and final average pay)
    2. Social Security retirement benefits
    3. Supplemental personal savings, such as with MO Deferred Comp

    Another thing to consider is that, even if you aren’t vested, you may leave your employee contributions with the System if you think you might return to work for the state at some point in the future and would like for those years of service to count toward an eventual retirement benefit.  

    However, if you leave state employment, you may request a refund of your employee contributions plus any credited interest. By law, there is a 90-day waiting period before we can issue a refund. By taking a refund, you forfeit all your credited service.

    You can log in to myMOSERS to find your total employee contributions plus any interest. Once logged in, you can view your accumulated balance listed under Employee Contributions on your Member Dashboard. If you are unable to log in, you may contact a MOSERS benefit counselor for your balance. See our Employee Contributions brochure for more information.

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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.