🏛  Key Things to Know

Retirement planning can feel complex, but understanding your MOSERS benefits makes it much simpler. Here’s a quick guide to the essentials.

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🧮 Final Average Pay (FAP)

Your MOSERS pension is based on your highest 36 consecutive months of pay. This average, combined with your years of service and plan multiplier, determines your guaranteed monthly benefit.

Formula:
Retirement Benefit = FAP × Multiplier × Credited Service

Knowing your FAP helps you estimate your retirement income. (Learn more)

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🎯 Normal Retirement Eligibility & MOSERS Participation

To participate in MOSERS, you must be in a benefit-eligible position, typically full-time employment.

You become vested in MOSERS after 5 years of service, which means you are entitled to a pension at retirement once you meet age and service requirements.

Normal retirement eligibility depends on your plan:

• MSEP Members: Age 65 with at least 5 years of service; Age 60 with 15 years of service; or “Rule of 80” (age plus service = 80)
• MSEP 2000: Age 62 with 5 years of service or “Rule of 80”
• MSEP 2011: Age 67 with 5 years of service or “Rule of 90”

(More details here)

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🪑 The Three‑Legged Stool

A balanced retirement income comes from three sources:

1. MOSERS Pension – Lifetime guaranteed income
2. Social Security – Federal retirement benefits
3. Personal Savings – Supplemental retirement accounts such as MO Deferred Comp 457(b) and 403(b). These accounts can be funded via pre‑ or post‑tax deductions and are available to both full-time and part-time employees.

Each “leg” helps ensure a comfortable retirement. (More info)

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📚 Education for Everyone

MOSERS offers free webinars and seminars for all career stages:

• New employees
• Mid-career professionals
• Pre-retirement planning

Learning about your benefits now helps you make better decisions later. (Explore sessions)

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🔄 CURP Transfer Option

Faculty in CURP can transfer to MOSERS after 6 years of service:

• Immediate vesting in MOSERS
• Service earned in CURP does not count toward MOSERS pension
• Once transferred, future participation in CURP ends

Full CURP transfer guide

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💡 Takeaway

Understanding your MOSERS eligibility, FAP, retirement plan structure, supplemental savings options, and transfer choices helps you take control of your retirement planning. MOSERS education resources and counselors are available to guide you every step of the way.