Welcome to our employer page, designed specifically for your convenience. This quick reference guide allows you to access information faster than navigating through our website. Here, you’ll find links to relevant sections for all your inquiries.
The content is organized sequentially, covering everything from onboarding new members to retirement. Employers and local boards play a crucial role in PSPRS-managed plans, ensuring new members start contributing to their retirement promptly and accruing accurate credited service. Both of these elements are essential for determining the benefit amounts members receive upon retirement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Enrolling new and returning plan members
Employers and local boards have a role in enrolling new members into PSPRS-managed plans. This process differs for new or returning members depending on whether they would become or are participants in the public safety, corrections or elected officials plans.
There are two webpages that outline the necessary steps and requirements. The first covers new or returning members of the public safety and corrections officer retirement plans. The second covers new or returning elected officials and elected or appointed members of the judiciary.
A third page provides detailed information about local boards’ responsibilities and procedures for determining member eligibility, which is the first step in the new or returning member enrollment process. Please note that local boards serve public safety and corrections members while PSPRS serves as the local board for elected officials and members of the judiciary.
Making plan contributions
PSPRS has resources that outline Arizona employers’ responsibilities for new member pension and 401(a) plan contributions to PSPRS-managed retirement plans. Employers must contribute through the employer portal to meet their members’ pension obligations and through the Nationwide Retirement Solutions network to make 401(a) contributions.
State and federal laws concerning pensionable and 401(a) matchable income must also be considered along with contribution limits. Employer contribution rates are published annually, with PSPRS and CORP rates tailored to each employer while EORP has a standard rate. Employers hiring retired plan members pay an Alternate Contribution Rate (ACR). Please see specific PSPRS pages for pension and 401(a) plan contributions and reporting.
Defined contribution plans
PSPRS manages several defined contribution plans that are both included in member benefits and available as optional investment vehicles to help members save for retirement. These plans cover certain public safety members who receive “hybrid” benefits in which they contribute towards a pension and a 401(a) defined contribution account because they do not contribute to Social Security through their employer. New public safety members and probation/surveillance officers hired by the courts can also choose defined contribution benefits instead of a pension, while 401(a) benefits are required for new corrections and detention officers along with new elected officials and members of the judiciary.
Cancer insurance program
The PSPRS cancer insurance program (CIP) offers financial support for active and eligible retirees diagnosed with cancer. It provides payments for diagnoses and reimbursements for treatment-related expenses. Funding comes from annual premium contributions, as well as investment returns from a separately maintained trust. Cancer insurance premium payments are managed differently for public safety and corrections. Please see specific plans for details such as eligibility, premiums, benefits, applying for benefits, payment process coverage in retirement and taxation.
Retiree health insurance and premium subsidy benefit
Retiree Health Insurance and Dental Insurance
PSPRS Retiree Insurance Premium Benefit Subsidy
PSPRS managed-plan employers typically offer retiree COBRA health coverage temporarily, while insurance may also be available through Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) or the retiree insurance program provided by Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Additionally, some employers may offer health insurance directly to retirees.
PSPRS offers a health insurance premium benefit subsidy to eligible retired members or their surviving spouses, including those on disability. Members who acquire insurance outside of ADOA, ASRS or their last known public employer are not eligible for this subsidy.
Retirement – employer responsibilities
To retire and apply for benefits, members must complete the request for Retirement Estimate & Application form, which requires signatures from both the member and the employer. This ensures the employer is informed of the member’s intended retirement date and that contributions are accurately calculated through the member’s final working day. Completed forms can be emailed or faxed to the Member Services Department by either the employer or the retiring member.
Return-to-work
Employers and local boards have a role in hiring plan retirees into positions covered by PSPRS-managed pensions or defined contribution plans. Employers must understand the requirements from their retirement plan, associated procedures and the requirement for paying an alternate contribution rate on behalf of return-to-work retirees. Please note that certain return-to-work scenarios may result in the suspension of retiree pension benefits.
Employer support
Employers can email [email protected] or reach out to Employer Relations Manager Harold Greene.
Additional resources
PSPRS educational videos on topics such as enrollment and demographics, contribution reporting, retirement/DROP, cancer insurance, health insurance subsidies, and disability retirement applications are a great resource to our employers.
To view the list of PSPRS, CORP and EORP employers, please visit the Becoming a participating employer page.