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Are Retirees Eligible for Travel Assistance?

Feb 26, 2024, 8:34 AM By MOSERS

I recall that as a state employee there was some type of Travel Assistance benefit, I forget the name of the company, but it was like a traveler assistance service if you were on a trip and ran into trouble. I don't recall more details than that. Is there something like that for retirees as well?
MOSERS members who have basic life insurance through MOSERS are eligible for Travel Assistance when traveling more than 100 miles from home. Eligible spouses and children younger than age 25 are also covered. The service is provided by Assist America, Inc. For more information, check out the Travel Assistance Service Overview.

Travel assistance includes:
- 24-hour phone support with registered nurses.
- Emergency ticket, passport, and credit card replacement.
- Emergency medical evacuation, plus return travel for companions or return of dependent children during prolonged hospitalization.
- Connection to interpreters, consular office, and local attorney.
- Pre-trip services, such as passport and visa assistance.
Travel Assistance is not travel insurance. Travel Assistance provides specific support services while traveling. Travel insurance provides monetary compensation for losses that occur while traveling.
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.
How to Schedule an In-Person Meeting with MOSERS Before Retirement

Feb 16, 2024, 4:20 PM By MOSERS

I couldn't find anything about this on your site, only how to enroll in webinars and such. I am planning on retiring on 11/1/24 and would like to come down sometime this Summer for an in-person MOSERS retirement meeting. How would I go about setting this up, and what would be the best time frame based on my planned retirement date?

You can schedule an appointment in advance to meet with a benefit counselor in our office. Our benefit counselors can print off benefit estimates while you are here, discuss your retirement options, show you how to retire online, and assist you with any other questions you may have about the retirement process. To schedule an appointment, call (800) 827-1063 or (573) 632-6100. We encourage you to schedule this sooner rather than later to give yourself time to process the information and schedule an additional meeting if you like.

Keep in mind that there must be one entire month between the date we receive your application and your retirement date. Using your example, if your retirement date is November 1, your Retirement Application is due no later than September 30 and your Retirement Election Form is due no later than October 31. You can submit your retirement application as early as 4 months (120 days) prior to your retirement date.

We also encourage you to attend a Ready to Retire in-person seminar or webinar before you retire. You can find dates for all our in-person seminars and our webinars by going to the Education page of our website and clicking on Ready to Retire. Once you find the session you want to attend, log in to myMOSERS to register.
Can I take a loan out of my retirement savings account?

Feb 15, 2024, 4:00 PM By MOSERS

I would like to know if there was a way to take a loan out of my retirement account.
Your contributions to MOSERS defined benefit pension are not available for loans or partial withdrawals.
In addition, if you have an account with MO Deferred Comp, loans are not permitted. However, the MO Deferred Comp 457 retirement savings plan does permit in-service withdrawals from your account under the following circumstances:
- You experience a qualifying, unforeseeable emergency that causes extreme financial hardship, or
- If your account balance is $5,000 or less – you may elect a one-time, in-service distribution, provided you have not made a contribution during the prior two-year period.
Please visit www.modeferredcomp.org for more information, or if you have any questions, please call (800) 392-0925.
Will Proposed Legislation Affect My Benefit?

Feb 6, 2024, 3:30 PM By MOSERS

Based on the Governor's State of the State address, he proposed an increase of wages for state workers. Does that include retirees also? If not, what is MOSERS doing to be included in that increase?

Any proposed legislation would have to be passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate then signed by the Governor to become effective. We're not currently aware of any proposed legislation that would increase retiree benefits. However, it's important to note that all general state employees receive cost-of-living-adjustments (COLAs) each year as part of the existing plan provisions.

You can follow bills potentially affecting MOSERS through the legislative process on our website by viewing the 2024 Weekly Legislative Tracking sheet.
How Can I Change My Tax Withholding?

Feb 6, 2024, 3:10 PM By MOSERS

I may be interested in changing my federal withholding. It's been awhile since I did that, and it appears that I can't change it directly on the website like I did in the past. Is there any way I can see my current withholding status online? I used to be able to do that, but don't seem to be able to now.
You may at any time contact a MOSERS benefit specialist at (800) 827-1063 to discuss your current withholding election. Your withholding election may be changed during the year by completing the Tax Withholding Authorization and IRS W-4P forms. You are correct that you used to be able to complete and submit the form online. However, effective January 1, 2023, members are required to use the IRS form rather than the substitute W-4P form we previously had on our website. We are working on programming now that will allow electronic submission later in 2024.

Until then, if you need to change the amount of taxes being withheld, please submit both the MOSERS form (Tax Withholding Authorization) and the IRS form (W-4P). You can return the forms to us by:
- Faxing them to (573) 632-6103,
- Scanning them and sending them as an attachment via email to mosers@mosers.org,
- Submitting them using the Document Upload feature after you have logged in to myMOSERS
- Depositing them in the drop box outside of our office or bringing them in to the receptionist, or
- Mailing them to us at MOSERS, PO Box 209, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0209
MOSERS staff cannot provide tax advice and cannot advise you on how to fill out tax forms or your tax liability as it pertains to your MOSERS pension. We suggest you contact the IRS and/or a qualified tax advisor to determine your withholding amounts.
Which Universities are MOSERS Covered Employers?

Feb 6, 2024, 2:20 PM By MOSERS

What universities in Missouri do you serve?
MOSERS administers retirement benefits (defined benefit pension and deferred compensation plans) for benefit-eligible employees of the following universities.
- Harris-Stowe State University
- Lincoln University
- Missouri Southern State University
- Missouri State University
- Missouri Western State University
- Northwest Missouri State University
- Southeast Missouri State University
- Truman State University
- University of Central Missouri
We administer retirement benefits, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance for benefit-eligible employees of State Technical College of Missouri.

We do not administer life insurance or long-term disability benefits for university employees, except for eligible employees of Lincoln University.

See our list of MOSERS Covered Employers and our Benefit Providers flyer for more information.
2024 Ready to Retire Seminars

Feb 5, 2024, 12:01 PM By MOSERS

When is the next retirement seminar?

Visit our Education page and click in the Ready to Retire box to view all the 2024 in-person retirement seminars and online webinars that are available statewide. If you have co-workers at other career stages, please encourage them to check out the Newer Employees & MOSERS and the Mid-Career webinars.

To register for a session, log in to myMOSERS and go to Education Enrollment. Once you've reviewed the schedule, select the session you wish to attend and complete the registration information.
How Can I Get a Copy of My 1099-R?

Jan 18, 2024, 1:20 PM By MOSERS

I'm trying to get a copy of my 1099-R and all I see is 2022 1099-R. Can you help me?

MOSERS will mail 1099-R forms to all retirees and beneficiaries by January 31, 2024. If you prefer an electronic copy of your 1099-R, the form will be available for you to view or print after they have been mailed. You can access your 1099-R by logging in to myMOSERS and you will find it listed under Personal Information.

This form lists your 2023 pension benefit income from MOSERS. You will need this form to file your income tax return.
Returning to Work in a Non-Benefit-Eligible Position

Jan 17, 2024, 1:45 PM By MOSERS

I retired by Missouri state government in 2012 and am currently receiving monthly retirement benefits. I am currently working part-time (in a non-benefit eligible position) at Lincoln University, which participates in the MOSERS retirement system. My question is: I've been employed by Lincoln for several years and have been told that in order to keep receiving my monthly benefits, I can only work 1040 hours per calendar year. Is this still a MOSERS policy?

MOSERS must administer the retirement plans according to applicable state and federal laws. It is the responsibility of your employer, not MOSERS, to determine if the position you are working in is a MOSERS benefit-eligible position. Generally speaking, an employee must work in a position normally requiring at least 1,040 hours per year to qualify for MOSERS benefits. If your employer determines that the position you are working in is not benefit-eligible and you have followed the termination and reemployment rules, you may work in that position and still get your MOSERS pension benefits. Please see Working After Retirement and Benefit Eligibility 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.

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