The Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) is an agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that administers the retirement plan for Pennsylvania’s public school employees. For over 100 years, PSERS has provided secure retirement benefits for millions of public school employees. It's time for you to start your own retirement journey!
Depending on your membership class, you may have a Defined Benefit (DB) Plan, a Defined Contribution (DC) Plan, or both DB and DC components.
- In PSERS DB Plan, the retirement benefit is based on a formula. The formula used by PSERS includes a pension multiplier, your credited years of service, and your final average salary. Class T-C, Class T-D, Class T-E, and Class T-F are defined benefit only plans.
- In PSERS DC Plan, the retirement benefit is based on the amount of contributions in your account and investment performance. Your DC contributions and earnings, if any, are available for you to withdraw when you terminate your employment or retire. Class DC is a defined contribution only plan.
- PSERS also offers membership classes with both DB and DC components. Class T-G and Class T-H have a retirement benefit based on a formula and a separate benefit based on DC contributions and investment earnings, if any.
In addition to the informational packet, Class T-E and Class T-G members will receive a separate letter notifying them of the opportunity to elect a new membership class. Members who wish to nominate a new membership class must do so within the specified time frame. More information on Class Election.
Your Retirement Needs You
New members of PSERS will receive several important pieces of information from us explaining that an account was established for you. PSERS will ask you to verify information such as:
- Personal information
- Contact information
- Beneficiary information
- Membership class information
- Employer information
Your Responsibilities
- Read PSERS Communications - Once qualified, new members will receive some important items such as the Welcome Packet and Class Election Packet (if applicable). If you have a PSERS Member Self-Service (MSS) account, you are automatically enrolled in Paperless Delivery which means that PSERS will deliver information to you electronically instead of through physical mail. You should check your account periodically to ensure you do not miss important information.
- Nominate and Maintain Beneficiaries - A beneficiary is the person(s) or entity(ies) you wish to receive your retirement benefits upon your death. You may nominate and change your beneficiary nomination electronically at any time through the MSS Portal. Alternatively, you may submit a Nomination of Beneficiaries (PSRS-187) form to PSERS. Please note that your most recently submitted Nomination of Beneficiaries will supersede previous nominations.
- Elect Multiple Service (if applicable)- If you have former service credited with the Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) for work performed for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you may elect multiple service, which combines state and school service. You must elect multiple service through the MSS Portal within 365 days of the date stated in your membership letter or prior to termination, whichever is earlier.
- Purchase Service Credit (if applicable)-Certain types of service credit purchases have time restrictions.
- Review information on PSERS website and take advantage of resources such as free Foundations for Your Future (FFYF) programs conducted by PSERS retirement representatives.
- Keep your email and mailing address current through the MSS Portal.
As a PSERS member, you'll join with over a half million fellow public school employees who are also members. You'll contribute to your own personal PSERS retirement account and have a safe and secure benefit payment(s) from one of the largest public retirement plans in the nation.
If you are under 18, restrictions apply. Please visit Members Under Age 18 for more information.
