Why IPERS calls you a member

    You are a part of a “member-owned” trust fund and you have rights to your IPERS benefits. You became a member and gained membership rights when you started contributing to IPERS.
     IPERS deposits contributions in the trust fund, which was established by Iowa law, and invests the contributions to grow the fund. The law says the trust fund can be used only to pay benefits promised to members plus reasonable costs to operate the plan.
     As a retiree, you keep your membership rights and remain a member even after you begin receiving benefits.