Retirement System - PSRS/PEERS
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PSRS provides lifetime retirement benefits for Missouri public school teachers and other qualified individuals who work for covered employers. If you don't have an educator certificate from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), you may be a member of PEERS.
In May 1945, Governor Forrest C. Donnell signed into law the Public School Retirement Act of Missouri, which established the Public School Retirement System of Missouri (PSRS) effective July 1, 1946. Missouri was the 47th state to adopt legislation leading to a statewide teacher retirement system. PSRS was established to provide certificated public school employees and their families with a significant and stable source of retirement income, disability and survivor benefits.
The Non-Teacher School Employee Retirement System of Missouri (NTRS), was created on October 13, 1965, with the adoption of House Bill 88. The goal was to build a plan similar to PSRS, but for non-certificated public school personnel. The name of the non-teacher system was changed to the Public Education Employee Retirement System of Missouri (PEERS) in August 2005 to more positively represent members.
Membership in PSRS/PEERS is automatic for eligible employees, regardless of position. Since membership is automatic, eligible employees will see deductions from their paychecks for the retirement system contributions. The current contribution rates are as follows.
PSRS - Certified Educators 14.5%
PEERS - Non-Certificated Employees 6.86%
Social Security and Retirement Benefits
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The Windfall Elimination Provision may affect how we calculate your retirement or disability benefit. If you work for an employer who does not withhold Social Security taxes from your salary, such as a government agency or an employer in another country, any pension you get from that work may reduce your Social Security benefits.
Other Investment & Retirement Investment Options - Voluntary Participation
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Additional retirement savings options are available through the District's payroll deduction programs for 403b and 457 plans. A number of different types of options exist, some of which are tax-deferred. The first step in learning more about these options is to set up an account with your provider of choice; contact a provider directly by selecting from the list of vendors.
Valic, an additional optional retirement(s) beyond PSRS/PEERS.