Retiree Resources

Learn More about PERS and Your Retirement

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Change of Account Information

Keeping PERS up to date with changes to your name, address, and, or spouse and beneficiary information allows us to provide you with the most efficient service possible, including timely delivery of your PERS newsletter, issuance of your annual Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-R each January, and other mail outs from your retirement system. For the protection of our retirees and members, PERS does not accept a change of address or change of beneficiary information over the telephone. To make a change to your account, submit a completed Form 1C, Change of Information.​

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Annual Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-R

PERS mails to each benefit recipient every January his or her Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-R. Duplicate 1099-Rs may be requested by calling PERS at 800-444-7377 or 601-359-3589. You will be required to provide your Social Security number and the tax year for the 1099-R needed. Please allow one to two weeks for PERS to process your request.

A Guide to Your IRS Form 1099-R

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Updating Federal Tax Withholding Preferences

Federal tax withholding is based on the tax withholding preferences you elected for your monthly PERS retirement benefit (e.g., marital status and exemptions claimed). PERS recommends that retirees review their federal tax withholding preferences with their tax preparer to determine if any adjustments need to be made. 

If adjustments are needed, retirees may update their federal tax withholding with PERS anytime. To update federal tax withholding from your PERS retirement benefit, complete, sign, and submit a PERS Form 17, Certificate of Withholding Preference. This form may be downloaded from the PERS website or requested by mail from PERS staff by calling 800-444-7377 or 601-359-3589.

PERS Form 17, Certificate of Withholding Preference​

NOTICE: Recent communication from PERS to those retirement benefit recipients who had previously elected specific dollar amounts be withheld for tax-withholding purposes.

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Request Benefit Verification

You may request a verification of your benefits by contacting PERS Customer Service. You may call in your request at 800-444-7377 or 601-359-3589, or you may fax your request to 601-359-6707 with the following information:

1. Name
2. Retirement Plan (PERS, SLRP, MHSPRS, or MRS)
3. Last Four Digits of Social Security Number
4. Current Address*
5. Contact Telephone Number
6. Signature

* Please make sure you have kept your mailing address up to date with PERS. If you need to update your address with your current address, please submit to PERS a completed PERS Form 1C, Change of Information​.

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Thinking of Returning to Work?

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Retiree Organizations

Cost-of-Living Adjustment

The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) helps maintain your purchasing power as a retiree no matter how long you live after retirement and despite the effects of inflation. Retirees and beneficiaries who have been receiving benefits for at least one full fiscal year receive a COLA.

At retirement, you have the option to choose whether to receive your COLA monthly or in a lump sum paid each December. If you choose lump sum but would rather receive your COLA monthly, you must complete and submit Form 20, Election of Monthly Cost-of-Living Adjustment. Choosing monthly payments is irrevocable.

PERS sends COLA notices in late June/early July of each year to inform retirees of their December COLA amount and the amount to be withheld in taxes. Once an individual receives and reviews his or her notice, he or she has the option to adjust his or her lump sum COLA tax withholding preference. This change must be done by the last working day in October of that same year. Click here for an overview of the COLA notice.

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Direct Deposit of Monthly Benefits

Enjoy the convenience and timeliness of direct deposit of your benefits on the first banking day of each month by submitting a completed Form 21, Direct Deposit Authorization, to PERS. Your check by mail will continue for one to two months after submitting the form.

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Direct Deposit and Check Mailing Schedules

Federal Reserve Bank Holiday Policy​: When holidays fall on Saturday, Federal Reserve Banks and branches will be open the preceding Friday. For holidays falling on Sunday, all Federal Reserve offices will be closed the following Monday.

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Insurance

Each retiree is responsible for deciding on the right insurance coverage to fit his or her personal needs. However, for the members who continue participation in the state-sponsored insurance plan after they retire and for the Medicare-eligible retirees who choose participation in the PERS-sponsored plan, PERS conveniently withholds premiums from benefit payments.

State-Sponsored State and School Employees' Life and Health Plans

The state-sponsored plans are administered by the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration. For more information, contact DFA’s Office of Insurance at 866-586-2781 or 601-359-3411 or visit knowyourbenefits.dfa.ms.gov.

State and School Employees' Life and Health Plan

PERS-Sponsored Group Medicare Solutions

The PERS-sponsored group medical insurance plans are underwritten by Transamerica Life Insurance Company of Cedar Rapids, IA. For more information call 844-304-6636. 

Retiree Medical Insurance Plan​​​​​​

PERS-Sponsored Senior Term Life Insurance Plan

The PERS-sponsored senior term life insurance plan is underwritten by Securian Life Insurance Company, Saint Paul, MN. For more information call 877-863-1499. To enroll, call 877-863-1497. 

Senior Term Life Insurance Plan​

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Serving on the Retiree Insurance Advisory Committee

The Retiree Insurance Advisory Committee of PERS was created by the Board of Trustees for the purpose of providing information and recommendations to the Board relative to the health and life insurance needs of the retirees of PERS and other systems administered by the Board.

A member of the committee can look forward to participating in the process of considering and evaluating alternative proposals to the PERS-sponsored life insurance and medical insurance programs.

The committee consists of seven members, each retired under a system administered by the Board. Terms of office are for a period of three years, and no committee member serves more than two consecutive terms. Generally, the term of office begins on November 1 of the year of the appointment, except when the appointment is to fill an unexpired term. In a typical year the committee will meet once or twice a year.

In Accordance with PERS Board Regulation 40, the PERS executive director is responsible for making appointments to the committee with approval of the Board. If interested, email your resume to riac@pers.ms.gov.