Frequently Asked Questions

Membership

• How do I become a member of IPERS?
• What is a member ID number and how do I get one?
• What does it mean to be a “vested member”?
• How do I become vested?

Contributions

• How much do I contribute to IPERS and is contributing mandatory?
• Can I contribute more than the required amount?
• Do I decide how to invest my contributions or worry if stocks go down?
• How long must I contribute?
• May I apply for a loan or a hardship withdrawal?
• Can I use IPERS as collateral for a loan?

Ending IPERS-Covered Employment Before Retirement

• When can I withdraw my contributions?
• What happens if I change jobs before I retire?
• Can I continue contributing to IPERS if I end employment before retirement?
• Can I get back all my contributions and my employer’s contributions?
• Does a refund of my contributions cancel all service credit?
• Is the Application for IPERS Refund available on the IPERS Web site?

Benefits of Membership

• What service counts toward retirement?
• If I die before my first month of retirement benefits, what are my beneficiaries entitled to receive?
• What happens if I can no longer work because of a disability?

Service Purchases

• What is a service purchase and how do I apply?
• How is the cost of a service purchase determined?
• Am I obligated to purchase service by submitting an application?

Retirement

• How is my retirement benefit calculated?
• What are the Rule of 88 and the Rule of 62/20?
• Must I meet the Rule of 88 or the Rule of 62/20 to start receiving retirement benefits?
• When am I eligible to start receiving monthly retirement benefits?
• What should I do when I’m ready to retire?
• When does IPERS consider me “retired”?
• When can I expect my first retirement payment?

Divorce

• How does divorce affect my IPERS benefits? Does IPERS accept qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs)?

Help and Information

• How can I get my current account balance or a copy of my benefits statement?
• How do I get more information about my benefits?
• Where is the IPERS office located?

For Special Service Members

• Guide to Purchasing Service as a Special Service Member
• Guide to Protection Occupation Changes