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    PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM (PSERS)

    Multiple Service Membership

    Combining PSERS and State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) service

    Multiple Service membership allows you to combine your PSERS service with SERS service (e.g., Department of Human Services, Department of Labor and Industry, Department of Transportation, etc.). Electing multiple service may enhance your retirement benefit; however, combined benefit payments may be higher if the PSERS and SERS accounts are maintained separately and you retire from each System individually. If you are or were a SERS member and you have questions about the effect of electing multiple service, you should contact a PSERS retirement representative to discuss your options prior to making a multiple service election.

    Electing Multiple Service Membership  

    New or returning members of PSERS have 365 days from the date of notification from PSERS to elect multiple service membership. You may apply for multiple service membership through the MSS Portal or by submitting an Application for Multiple Service Membership (PSRS-1259) form. Your application must be filed with PSERS while you are an active, contributing member of PSERS. You must submit your application for multiple service membership to PSERS within 365 days of the deadline stated in your initial membership letter or prior to termination, whichever is earlier.  PSERS will determine your eligibility after we review your election form.

    The election must also occur while you are an active contributing member of PSERS. Therefore, PSERS must receive your request for multiple service membership within 365 days of the date of the initial membership letter or prior to termination, whichever is earlier.

    You may apply to elect multiple service membership through the PSERS Member Self-Service (MSS) Portal. Alternatively, you may complete and submit the Application for Multiple Service Membership form. You can print the form directly from the PSERS website or contact PSERS to receive a copy. 

    Important Facts about the Election of Multiple Service  

    • The election for multiple service membership is irrevocable.
    • If you are currently receiving a monthly benefit from SERS and you are granted multiple service membership, your SERS pension will be stopped immediately.
    • Your contributions and interest will continue to earn interest as long as you remain active in either of the two Systems, or you are vested.
    • Your record of service, contributions, and interest will remain separate in each System until you terminate service and apply for a refund or retirement.
    • If you are granted multiple service and you contributed to both PSERS and SERS at the same time within the same year, you may initially have received credit for more than one year of service. This is known as having overlapping service. When you retire, only one year of service credit will be given per year. You should check your service credit with each System prior to retirement, as when overlapping service is leveled to one year of service credit per year, you may have less service than you anticipated.
    • When you apply for retirement, each system independently calculates your retirement benefit. The retirement is based on the average of your three highest years’ salary in either System, your combined contributions, interest, and years of credited service. The System from which you are retiring will pay you a combined retirement benefit.
    • You will receive a refund of your contributions and interest from each System if you are not entitled to a monthly benefit.