rumor-central-header

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

Rumor Central has the answers! Submit your question or just browse our blog to separate facts from fiction.


Subscribe to Rumor Central

Subscribe to receive a monthly email that includes answers to recent Rumor Central questions.

Log in to myMOSERS. Click on Personal Information, then on Email Options. Check the box next to Rumor Central


  • Updating Your Mailing Address

    Aug 6, 2021, 2:05 PM By MOSERS
    I HAVE JUST MOVED, WHERE ON WEBSITE TO I CHANGE MY ADDRESS THANK YOU

    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.

    Print Friendly and PDF
  • Last working day before retirement

    Jul 26, 2021, 10:46 AM By MOSERS

     I'm retiring Aug. 1st. Is there a rule that I have to work one more day, even if your are on annual leave. Thank You. 

    MOSERS has no authority over the policies and procedures of an agency in determining onsite requirements when an employee is ending their service. Therefore, we encourage you to talk with your HR staff and/or your supervisor in advance of your retirement to find out about the policies and procedures at your agency.

    Your last day of work as a MOSERS benefit-eligible employee, as reported by your employer, must be at least one day prior to your retirement date with MOSERS. Your retirement date with MOSERS must be on the first day of a month.

    Please see the Ready to Retire page of our website and contact a MOSERS benefit counselor for more information. 

    Print Friendly and PDF
  • Refund of Employee Contributions

    Jul 21, 2021, 8:27 AM By MOSERS
    An employee in our circuit is leaving employment without being vested. Will her contributions automatically be returned to her or does she need to submit the Member Request for Refund of Employee Contributions?

    Refunds of employee contributions are NOT automatic. A former state employee who wishes to request a refund, will need to complete the Member Request for Refund of Employee Contributions form. They must get it notarized and submit it to MOSERS.

    Members of MSEP 2011 or the Judicial Plan 2011 who leave state employment may choose to either request a refund (if they don’t anticipate returning to state employment) or leave their contributions with MOSERS (if they do anticipate returning to state employment).

    There is a 90-day waiting period from the date of termination or the request (whichever is later) before MOSERS can issue a refund. To learn more, please visit our Refund of Employee Contributions page. 

    Print Friendly and PDF
  • How to make changes to your optional life insurance

    Jul 16, 2021, 3:32 PM By MOSERS
    Where can I find the application to submit for optional Life Insurance coverage for myself.?

    You can find it online by logging into myMOSERS. After logging in, click Forms, select Enroll/Chg Opt Life Ins and then submit your information from there. Or, you can contact a benefit counselor and ask them to mail you an application. If you would like more information on optional life coverage, please see our Life Insurance page. 

    Print Friendly and PDF
  • Early vs. Normal Retirement

    Jul 9, 2021, 11:20 AM By MOSERS
    I am a member of MSEP 20011. I am currently 60 years old with 9 years of service time. If I leave state employment this year at what age would I be able to start my pension payments? 62? 65? or 67?

    If you leave state employment this year at age 60 years, 9 months, you will be required to wait and draw your benefit at age 67.  In order to be eligible for early retirement, you must reach age 62 prior to leaving state employment. Please note that taking early retirement will reduce your base benefit by ½ of 1% (.005) for each month your age is younger than normal retirement age. Your normal retirement age would be at 67. You can find more information in the MSEP 2011 Handbook.

    Print Friendly and PDF
  • Returning to state employment under the same plan

    Jul 7, 2021, 10:47 AM By MOSERS

    Confidentially, please provide the outcome for these scenarios:
    An employee started in 2002, MSEP 2000, left in 2021, returned in 2023.  Would they be able to return to the MSEP 2000 plan or would they have to go to the MSEP 2011 plan?  80 and out or 90 and out? 0 or 4% withheld?

    Previously, under MSEP 2000, 80 and out, retire at 52 with 28 years of service. But let's say they don't return to state work, they have 19 years of service, when is there new normal retirement date, born 1977, 62?

    In the scenario you describe, the answer is yes, a vested member of MSEP 2000 who leaves state employment and returns to state employment will still be in MSEP 2000. Their prior service would immediately be reinstated upon reemployment. They would be eligible for normal retirement under the Rule of 80/”80 and Out” or age 62, whichever came first. As a member of MSEP 2000, they would not be required to make the 4% employee contributions.  

    In the scenario you describe, if the employee did not return to work, they would be considered an inactive vested member of MSEP 2000 and would become eligible for normal retirement at age 62.

    Note: If an inactive vested member of MSEP or MSEP 2000 elected a buyout in 2017 or 2018 then returned to state employment, they would be a member of MSEP 2011, would be required to make the 4% employee contributions and would have to meet the retirement eligibility for MSEP 2011.

    We encourage members to contact a MOSERS benefit counselor to discuss their individual situation and learn how various scenarios would impact their benefits. 

    Print Friendly and PDF
  • Unsubscribing from Rumor Central

    Jun 21, 2021, 4:25 PM By MOSERS
    I would like to unsubscribe from the Rumor Central emails because I am no longer a state employee.

    If you would like to unsubscribe from this list, log in to myMOSERS and change your email preferences. After logging in, select Personal Information then Email Options. From there you can opt out of receiving Rumor Central Updates. 

    Print Friendly and PDF
  • A Breakdown of BackDROP

    Jun 21, 2021, 4:15 PM By MOSERS
     I have never understood what "back drop" means. I do not think it was ever explained to me at the time of retirement.

    In order to be eligible for the BackDROP, a member must work at least 2 years past their first normal retirement date. The "DROP" in BackDROP stands for Deferred Retirement Option Provision. With BackDROP, eligible members can get a one-time lump-sum payment in addition to their monthly pension payments from MOSERS. Members can make the choice to take BackDROP on their Retirement Election form.

    The BackDROP period is the period of time between a member’s BackDROP date (the day their BackDROP period begins) and their actual retirement date. The maximum BackDROP period is five years. The lump-sum payment is equal to 90% of the pension benefits (based on the Life Income Annuity option) that the member would have received during the BackDROP period had they been retired. Choosing BackDROP will, most likely, reduce the amount of their monthly benefit. 

    Print Friendly and PDF
  • Email Options

    Jun 21, 2021, 8:24 AM By MOSERS
    My wife and I each receive a copy of "Retiree NEWS". We would appreciate receiving only one copy at this address. Thank you. 

    This is something we are working on improving with our new pension administration system. Currently, in order to only receive one copy per household, one of you will need to opt in to receive all notices electronically. (Note: Doing so will result in that person receiving nearly all of their correspondence from MOSERS online – not just RetireeNews.) Start by logging in to myMOSERS, selecting Personal Information then Email Options. From there you can opt in to electronic notices. 

    Print Friendly and PDF
  • Where to Find Annual Benefit Statements

    Jun 17, 2021, 9:52 AM By MOSERS
    Hello. How can I access a copy of my annual benefit statement? Thanks.

    Annual Benefit Statements for active members are available online. You can access your statement by logging in to myMOSERS, clicking on Online Documents then on Document Express. You can then download and save it or print it. If you have opted to receive your correspondence from MOSERS through the mail, we mail your statement to your home address each year in March.  

    Print Friendly and PDF

Topics

Archive

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.