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The road to retirement takes planning and preparation. That’s why IPERS offers its members several opportunities for education, ranging from individual counseling to on-demand group workshops. No matter what you choose, we are here to help you understand your benefits and plan for a secure retirement.
Back to topLive education
Virtual workshops
IPERS works in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to offer education for members throughout their journeys to retirement. Effective April 2026, new programming will replace the former Ready, Set, Retire and Creating a Secure Retirement workshops. A full list of all classes offered through this partnership will soon be available on the Iowa State University's Extension and Outreach website. IPERS is hosting twice-monthly, virtual retirement benefit workshops. The next three upcoming sessions can be found in the list below. A full list of all scheduled upcoming workshops is available on the event calendar.
Individual counseling
IPERS offers one-on-one retirement counseling by phone or in-person at our office in Des Moines. IPERS' skilled Retirement Benefit Officers can estimate your benefit payment in a variety of scenarios and explain the retirement payment options that are available to you. IPERS strongly encourages you to make an appointment for either phone or in-person counseling. Without an appointment, you will likely wait for a counselor's availability. Guests may join members during their appointments. Call 800-622-3849 or login to My Account to schedule your appointment.
| Counseling type | Business hours (Central Time) |
|---|---|
| Appointment | Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
| Phone counseling | Monday - Friday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. |
IPERS on the Road
Occasionally, IPERS' staff travels to communities around Iowa to offer individual retirement counseling or group workshops. Events are published on IPERS' calendar and are posted to the IPERS on the Road webpage.
Back to topOn-demand education
Whether you’re unable to attend a workshop, or if you’ve attended previously and need a refresher, you can visit IPERS’ On-Demand Education page to review the information covered in IPERS’ presentation at Creating a Secure Retirement and Ready, Set, Retire.
Please note: IPERS strongly suggests that retirees within three to five years of retirement attend a live education session. On-demand education is not intended to fully replace a live education session.
Back to topDAS webinars for state agency employees
The Iowa Department of Administrative Services offers education for state employees to understand retirement savings programs that supplement IPERS. These presentations are available on the department's website.
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