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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • Am I Eligible for Pre-Tax Medical Premiums in Retirement?

    Jan 11, 2024, 11:33 AM By MOSERS
    Why are retirees not eligible for pre-tax of medical premiums?
    MOSERS cannot withhold medical premiums for retirees on a pre-tax basis because to be pre-tax, they must go through the cafeteria plan. Contributions to the cafeteria plan may only be from active employee wages. Cafeteria Plan guidelines state that only active employees are eligible for the plan.
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  • Public Pension Exemption

    Feb 21, 2023, 7:55 AM By MOSERS
    Good morning. How exactly does the public pension exemption work? Do I have to sign up for that or does someone automatically know that I qualify due to the amount I make? I’m confused on how this works. Thanks for any help you can give me.

    Your MOSERS pension benefit is subject to normal federal taxes. It is also subject to normal Missouri state income taxes if you are a resident of Missouri. However, because you are a Missouri resident, you may qualify for the Public Pension Exemption as it relates to Missouri state taxes.

    In order to be eligible for the full deduction, your Missouri adjusted gross income must fall within certain income limitations. These limitations are not decided by MOSERS, you may contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to see if you qualify or ask your tax professional. If your income exceeds the limitation, you may qualify for a partial exemption. Visit the Missouri Department of Revenue's Public Pension Exemption page or read our Missouri Public Pension Exemption flyer for more information.

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  • How to Submit Tax Withholding Forms

    Feb 7, 2023, 9:48 AM By MOSERS
    I wanted to change my tax withholding and after talking to the operator at Mosers, I understand I can't complete the form I used to for a change in the amount. I got the Authorization completed online and printed off to sign, but was unable to fill out the W-4P online so I printed and now am completing by hand. I guess I will have to mail the forms; didn't see instructions that I could email them to you online. And of course since I am needing to complete by hand the W-4P I am unable to email

    You are correct, there is a new form, which is required by the IRS as of January 1, 2023, IF you want to make any changes to your tax withholdings. (If you don’t want to make changes, no action is required.) Once you have completed both the Tax Withholding Authorization and the IRS W-4P forms and you have signed and dated them, you can return them to us by:

    1. Faxing them to (573) 632-6103,
    2. Scanning them and sending them as an attachment via email to mosers@mosers.org,
    3. Submitting them using the Document Upload feature after you have logged in to myMOSERS
    4. Depositing them in the drop box outside of our office or bringing them in to the receptionist, or
    5. Mailing them to us at MOSERS, PO Box 209, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0209
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  • Medical Premiums in Retirement

    Jan 26, 2023, 3:31 PM By MOSERS
    I retire 2/1/23. I have chosen to pre-pay health care premiums for the remainder of 2023 with my annual leave payout. 1-Are healthcare premiums taken out pre-tax in retirement? 2-As an employee, my premiums are taken out pre-tax to lower my taxable income. Does this happen with a retiree's pension payment? 3-If health care premiums are deducted prior to federal tax deductions (while in retirement) than the prepayment of healthcare premiums (at year-end) would be the same, is that correct?

    Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! Let’s address your questions one by one:

    1. Are healthcare premiums taken out pre-tax in retirement? No. All deductions from your MOSERS pension benefit are POST tax.
    2. As an employee, my premiums are taken out pre-tax to lower my taxable income. Does this happen with a retiree's pension payment? No. All deductions from your MOSERS pension benefit are POST tax.  
    3. If healthcare premiums are deducted prior to federal tax deductions (while in retirement) than the prepayment of healthcare premiums (at year-end) would be the same, is that correct? No. Healthcare premiums in retirement are NOT deducted prior to federal taxes. So, there may be tax advantage to you to pre-pay your retiree healthcare premiums for the remainder of the calendar year from pay you receive as an active employee. See the information below from the MCHCP website:

    Employees whose premiums are collected pre-tax through the cafeteria plan have the opportunity to pre-pay premiums pre-tax as a retiree. Prepaid premiums may only be paid within the same calendar year*. To prepay retirees must submit their enrollment request at least 31 days prior to their retirement date. The first month’s premium for retiree coverage will be divided between the last two active paychecks. Additional prepaid premiums may be collected from the retiree’s last two active paychecks and/or lump sum vacation/compensatory time payroll. Verify this payroll amount with the HR/Payroll personnel to determine how many months of retiree premiums can be prepaid.

    *Employees with a retirement date of Dec.1 cannot prepay premiums, since future premiums would be for a different plan year. Employees with a retirement date of Jan.1 can only prepay premiums using funds from their final active payroll (usually Jan.15) and/or their vacation and compensatory time payroll.

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  • W-2 or 1099-R?

    Jan 25, 2023, 3:52 PM By MOSERS
    When will we get our W2 to file taxes

    Your W-2 form shows income you have earned from your employer and comes from your employer, not from MOSERS. You will need to reach out to your employer for your W-2.

    MOSERS provides retirees and benefit recipients with a 1099-R tax form. We will mail your 1099-R forms by the end of January. You can also access it online by logging into myMOSERS. You will find it under Personal Information and available for you to print. This form lists your 2022 retirement benefit income from MOSERS. You will need this form to file your income tax return. If you receive more than one benefit from MOSERS, you may receive more than one 1099-R from us. If you are unable to log in to myMOSERS, call us at (800) 827-1063 or (573) 632-6100 and we can assist you. For security reasons, we cannot email it to you.

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  • Tax Withholding Authorization and IRS W-4P

    Jan 23, 2023, 10:41 AM By MOSERS
    I wanted to change my federal withholding. Has the format changed?? the forms i was using do not appear

    Yes, the new forms, Tax Withholding Authorization and IRS W-4P, are required as of January 1, 2023, in order to change your withholding amounts. It does look different than the form from previous years. Please keep in mind the following:

    • If you wish to change the amount of taxes being withheld, please submit both the MOSERS form (Tax Withholding Authorization) and the IRS form (W-4P).
    • If you are a retiree who is already having taxes withheld, your current withholding remains in effect, and you do not need to submit new forms unless you want to make changes.
    • Please visit the Taxes page on our website for more information.
    • MOSERS staff 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 about your tax liability and to determine your withholding amounts.
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  • The Difference Between the 1099-R and W-2 forms?

    Nov 18, 2022, 9:25 AM By MOSERS
    Hi. I retired January 1, 2022. Where would I look to find my 2021 and 2022 W-2. 

    I believe you may be referring to a 1099-R form.

     A 1099-R shows distributions you have received from pensions and other retirement plans. A W-2 form comes from an employer, not from MOSERS. A W-2 shows income you’ve earned from your employer.

    MOSERS provides you with a 1099-R tax form. This form lists your 2022 retirement benefit income from MOSERS. You will need this form to file your income tax return. If you receive more than one benefit from MOSERS, you may receive more than one 1099-R from us.

    We will mail your 1099-R form by the end of January 2023. You can also access it online by logging into myMOSERS. You will find it under Personal Information and available for you to save or print. If you are unable to log in to myMOSERS, call us at (800) 827-1063 or (573) 632-6100 and we can mail you a replacement. For security reasons, we cannot email it to you.

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  • Taxes and Living Out of State

    Oct 13, 2022, 8:52 AM By MOSERS

    In reading the "rumors" responses, it sounded as if I would not owe Missouri state taxes if I live outside of Missouri (I live in New York State since 2007), and get a pension from MOSERS for working in Missouri before we moved to New York. Is that true?

    If you are retired and not a Missouri resident, please contact the Missouri Department of Revenue and state tax agency in your state for additional information, to inquire if you will need to file a state tax return in either or both states, and to determine the taxability of your MOSERS benefit where you live. Our staff is not authorized to provide tax advice.

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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.