Eligibility
Police and fire personnel of municipalities, agencies and districts in the state of Arizona may become members of the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) as determined by several factors:
- Is your employer a participant in the Plan?
- Does your position meet the qualifications of "Member" and covered by the Plan?
- Have you completed the necessary pre-membership medical evaluation?
- Have you properly applied for membership into the Plan?
- Has your local pension board reviewed and determined your eligibility for membership?
If you meet the qualifications stated above, as determined by your Local Board, you are required to participate in the PSPRS with membership traditionally beginning on the first date of employment in a qualified position. If you are not certain who your Local Board Secretary is, please Contact Us. Your right to benefits will vest when an application for benefits is filed and you are found to be eligible for those benefits, or on the last day of employment under the PSPRS, whichever occurs first.
New Member Physicals
As a condition of participation in the PSPRS, you will be required to undergo a medical evaluation. The evaluation is used by your Local Board to identify any physical or mental conditions that exist prior to your participation in the PSPRS that may be referenced in the future should you ever need to apply for disability benefits. These pre-existing conditions may prevent you from becoming eligible for future disability benefits and, refusal to participate in this evaluation, will forfeit your eligibility for any potential disability benefits.
Membership Tiers
Once you become a member of the PSPRS, your membership is designated as Tier 1, 2 or 3 based on your membership date, which determines your eligibility for retirement and other benefits:
|
Tier 1 Members DB Plan Only |
Tier 2 Members DB Plan + DC Plan (hybrid) for Non-Social Security positons |
Tier 3 Members¹ DB Plan + DC Plan (hybrid) for Non-Social Security positons, or DC Plan only |
|
Hired into PSPRS position before January 1, 2012 |
Hired into PSPRS position on/after January 1, 2012 |
Hired into PSPRS position on/after July 1, 2017 |
¹Pension Reform under SB1428 (2016)
For an outline of the differences between the membership tiers, benefit eligibility, options, and other System-related information, see PSPRS Matrix of Plan Provisions. Please note that this outline does not apply to the CORP or EORP membership.
Additional Resources
For additional resources, Plan summary, guide books and forms, you may access our Forms & Resources webpage and for the latest news and information, we encourage you to Sign Up for News and Updates. To estimate future benefits, you may access your Members Only online account, or contact your Local Board for an estimate, or retirement packet. If you are not certain who the Local Board contact person is, please Contact Us, or visit our Applying for Benefits webpage for retirement information.
