Police Officers Retirement System

The Police Officers Retirement System (PORS) is a defined benefit retirement plan primarily for public safety employees of state agencies, public and charter school districts, public higher education institutions and other local subdivisions of government that participate in PORS. The retirement plan assumes life expectancy and investment risk.

Eligibility

  • To be a member of PORS, you must be employed as a police officer, firefighter or peace officer for an employer that participates in PORS. Magistrates and probate judges are also eligible to participate in PORS.
  • Unless your position is exempted by state law, you must earn at least $2,000 per year and devote at least 1,600 hours per year to this work.

Contributions

You contribute a tax-deferred 9.75% of gross pay. Your account earns 4% interest compounded annually until you retire, or your account becomes inactive.

Benefits

  • Monthly retirement benefit is based on a formula (2.14% of average final compensation multiplied by years of service), not on your account balance at retirement.
  • Current state law provides for an annual benefit adjustment of 1% of your annual benefit up to a maximum of $500 per year.
  • Monthly retirement benefit is payable until your death.
  • Three payment options for monthly retirement benefits are available at retirement. Two of these options provide survivor protection.
  • Service purchase options.
  • Disability protection.
  • Accidental death protection and incidental death benefit if provided by your employer.

Retirement eligibility

As a member of PORS, you need to meet the plan’s eligibility requirements to retire and receive a benefit. These requirements vary depending on when you first became a PORS member. Currently, there are two classes of membership: Class Two and Class Three.

Class Two members: membership effective prior to July 1, 2012

  • You can retire after 25 years of service or at age 55 or older.
  • You must have at least five years of earned service to receive a monthly retirement benefit.

Class Three members: membership effective on or after July 1, 2012

  • You can retire after 27 years of service or at age 55 or older.
  • You must have at least eight years of earned service to receive a monthly retirement benefit.

Retiree insurance eligibility

It’s important to understand that eligibility for retiree group insurance is not the same as eligibility for retirement. Only PEBA can make retiree insurance eligibility determinations. You are encouraged to contact PEBA before making final arrangements for retirement.

Planning for your future

PEBA’s retirement awareness series, Be Aware and Prepare, provides you with information that can help you make smart decisions about your financial future. Regardless of how we define retirement awareness, PEBA believes it’s important to plan for a secure financial future and think about what life will be like after you quit working. We encourage you to use these resources and act now to help secure your financial future.