PERS Focus Session Videos
Video 1
Overview
For those who are unable to attend a live or virtual Focus Session, we have created a series of 11 videos with all of the same information presented at our in-person sessions.
If, after watching these videos, you feel you need more information about the retirement process or your PERS account, please feel free to make use of our many other available online resources, like our retirement guides, handbooks, online benefit calculators, and forms.
To begin the retirement process, download the PERS Service Retirement Guide for a step-by-step explanation.
Video 2
Vesting, Service Credit, and Retirement Eligibility
This video will help you find the answers to questions about when you are eligible for a benefit and when you can actually retire.
For more information, download the PERS Member Handbook.
Video 3
Benefit Determination and Estimate of Benefits
This video will help you understand how your benefit amount is determined and how you learn what your benefit amount could be.
For more information, download the PERS Member Handbook or visit the online benefit calculators.
Video 4
Single Life Annuities with Refund and Pop-Down Provisions Benefit Options
This video outlines the two base options under the Single Life Annuities with Refund and Pop-Down Provisions category. These options are:
- Maximum Retirement Allowance Option
- Option 1 - Pro-rated Single Life Annuity
For more information or to view a comparison chart of all base options, download the PERS Member Handbook or the Service Retirement Guide.
Video 5
Joint and Survivor Annuities with Pop-Up Provision Benefit Options
This video outlines the three base options under the Joint and Survivor Annuities with Pop-Up Provision category. Offering protection for a single beneficiary only, these options are:
- Option 2 – 100 Percent Joint and Survivor Annuity
- Option 4 – 75 Percent Joint and Survivor Annuity
- Option 4A – 50 Percent Joint and Survivor Annuity
For more information or to view a comparison chart of all base options, download the PERS Member Handbook or the Service Retirement Guide.
Video 6
Joint and Survivor Annuity Fixed
This video outlines the base option under the Joint and Survivor Annuity Fixed category. Offering protection for two beneficiaries, this option is:
- Option 3 – 100 Percent Joint and Survivor Annuity
For more information or to view a comparison chart of all base options, download the PERS Member Handbook or the Service Retirement Guide.
Video 7
Guaranteed Payment Periods Fixed
This video outlines the base option under the Guaranteed Payment Periods Fixed category. Offering protection for one or more beneficiaries, this option is:
- Option 4B – 10, 15, or 20 Years Certain
For more information or to view a comparison chart of all base options, download the PERS Member Handbook or the Service Retirement Guide.
Video 8
Partial Lump Sum Option
For some retirees, having a sum of cash at retirement is needed or wanted to better prepare for leaving the workforce. Whatever that need or want is, the Partial Lump Sum Option, or PLSO, is available to eligible members in addition to the selected base option. This video outlines the PLSO and how it works.
For more information, download the PERS Member Handbook or the Service Retirement Guide.
Video 9
Cost-of-Living Adjustment
This video provides an overview of the Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA, which is designed to help offset the effects of inflation while in retirement.
For more information, download the PERS Member Handbook or the Service Retirement Guide.
Video 10
Disability Retirement
Disability Retirement benefits provide you with a secure income if you become permanently sick or injured while employed and can no longer perform the essential duties of your job. These benefits are only available to members who have not begun receiving Service Retirement benefits.
This video outlines PERS' two types of Disability Retirement benefits: Non-Duty Related and Duty Related. Disability Retirement offers the same options available for Service Retirement with the exception of the Partial Lump Sum Option.
For more information, download the PERS Member Handbook or the Disability Retirement Guide.
Video 11
Survivor Retirement
As a spouse or dependent child of a member of PERS, you may be entitled to certain survivor retirement benefits should that member die before retiring. This video outlines the eligibility requirements for survivor retirement benefits, which are determined by whether the member's death was duty related or non-duty related and whether the member was vested at the time of death.
For more information, download the PERS Member Handbook or the Survivor Retirement Guide.