As a retiree, you can access your retirement account 24/7 with Member Access. If you do not have a Member Access account, you will need to enter your last name, Social Security number, date of birth, a valid email address, and the net or gross amount of one of your most recent monthly benefit payments to register.
Change your address
To change your address, simply log in to Member Access and select the Change Address option. You may also complete a Name/Address Change Form (Form 1239). PEBA mails your annual IRS Form 1099-R for income tax purposes to the address on file, so it is important to make sure your address is current.
Change your tax withholdings
To change your South Carolina state tax withholdings, complete a Withholding Certificate for Monthly Benefit Payments (Form 7202). To change your federal tax withholdings, log in to Member Access or complete the IRS’ Form W-4P, Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments, and send it to PEBA.
Start or change your direct deposit
To initiate or change direct deposit of your monthly benefit payment, log in to Member Access and select Payment. Next, choose Set Up Direct Deposit to set up a new direct deposit or choose the View/Change Direct Deposit option to modify an existing direct deposit. You may also complete a Direct Deposit Authorization form (Form 7204).
Beneficiary and payment option changes
SCRS and PORS members
Retired member incidental death benefit
You may change your beneficiary for the retired member incidental death benefit at any time, regardless of the payment option you selected. To change your beneficiary, complete a Retired Member Change of Beneficiary Form (Form 7201).
Payment Option A
You may change your beneficiary for retirement benefits at any time. If you have a change in marital status (death of spouse, marriage, divorce), you may also select a new payment option within five years of the qualifying event. To change your beneficiary, complete a Retired Member Change of Beneficiary Form (Form 7201).
Payment Option B and Option C
If all your beneficiaries predecease you, your monthly benefit will revert to Option A effective on the date the last beneficiary died. You must notify PEBA upon the death of a beneficiary. You may then designate a new beneficiary under Option A.
If you have a change in marital status (death of spouse, marriage, divorce), you may also select a new payment option and designate a new beneficiary within five years of the qualifying event. To change your beneficiary, complete a Retired Member Change of Beneficiary Form (Form 7201).
Payment option change limitation
Your form of monthly payment may not be changed more than twice, regardless of the number of events (death of a designated beneficiary or change in marital status) that occur. A reversion to Option A after the death of your beneficiary will count as one of the two changes. If a second beneficiary predeceases you after you have again selected Option B or Option C, your payment plan will revert automatically to Option A; however, no further form of payment changes will be allowed. Changes in form of payment occurring before January 1, 2001, are not included in the limitation provision.
GARS members
Retired member incidental death benefit
You may change your beneficiary for the retired member incidental death benefit at any time, regardless of the payment option you selected. To change your beneficiary, complete a GARS Retired Member Change of Beneficiary Form (Form 7201G).
Death of a spousal beneficiary with a joint survivor payment plan
If you designated your spouse as a retirement beneficiary under one of the joint survivor payment options and your spousal beneficiary predeceases you, you may select a new GARS retirement payment option and beneficiary within one year of the spousal beneficiary’s death. To change your beneficiary, complete a GARS Retired Member Change of Beneficiary Form (Form 7201G).
Marital status change
If your marital status changes due to divorce or marriage, you may select a new retirement benefit payment option and beneficiary. If you have a change in marital status, you may select a new payment option and beneficiary even if you did not originally select a spouse as beneficiary or did not elect a joint survivor payment option. There is no time limit for new retirement elections due to a change in marital status. To change your beneficiary, complete a GARS Retired Member Change of Beneficiary Form (Form 7201G). Changes in post-retirement payment options may reduce your monthly benefit amount. You may obtain an estimate for post-retirement payment option changes by contacting our Customer Service Center.
JSRS members
Retired member incidental death benefit
You may change your retired member incidental death beneficiary at any time, regardless of the payment plan you selected. Please contact our Customer Service Center for assistance.