The PSPRS STARS pension administration system launched on April 13, 2026. Named after the PSPRS “Serving those who serve others” motto, the STARS system improves user experience and provides new, easier ways for employers, local boards, members and retirees to access accounts and perform necessary tasks.
Employers can review training videos and materials and check the STARS pre-flight check list for tracking their readiness. PSPRS also has a cutover/blackout and post-launch guide that includes helpful information for employers and local boards.
STARS Launch Support
Getting Started | Primary Contact | Operational Help |
TIP: Use for help gaining STARS access, entering staff and assigning user roles. | STARS Secure messaging TIP: Use when in STARS and need help with a specific task/item. | TIP: Use for help with procedures, like demographic/contribution file uploads, making payments. |
Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Mon, Wed & Fri: 9 – 11:30 a.m. Tues & Thurs: 1 – 4 p.m. |
Centralized email system to enable PSPRS to provide low-level STARS support. | Using secure messaging in STARS enables submitting member/employer specific questions and ensures inquiries are tracked and answered. | Starting April 13, PSPRS will host a daily forum for employers to join and ask for help and hear questions and feedback from other users. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Training Videos and Guides
Training below is for employers and local boards using the PSPRS STARS pension administration system. The training videos and guidebooks below provides employers and local board secretaries with support as they navigate the new system. Please see the links below for recorded training and download this training checklist.
Topic
Training video
Training manuals
- How to Reset Your Employer Account Password
- Employers Cheat Sheet/Quick Reference
STARS Milestones for Employers
File Type | Employer File Testing | Employer Training | Launch of PSPRS STARS System |
Employer Wage and Contribution | Completed October 2023 | Completed March 2026 | Launched April 13 Download Cutover/Blackout Dates and Post-Launch Support Plan/Guide |
Member Enrollment and Demographic Changes | Completed October 2023 | ||
Retiree Health Insurance Enrollment, Coverage Changes and Terminations | Completed October 2024 |
FAQS
System
PSPRS recommends that employers watch the STARS training session and employer check-in videos and review the guidebooks that are posted to this page to prepare for the launch of STARS.
The STARS system should work properly with all reputable internet browsers. PSPRS staff have tested and navigated the STARS system through multiple browsers, including Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, and have not experienced technical difficulties.
PSPRS will no longer require many of the forms we use today as the system moves many processes online. However, one exception is the STARS Account Administration Authorization Form used by employers to add or remove STARS employer administrators. These administrators have full privileges to access all information, perform tasks, enroll and assign duties to staff members in the new system.
No. Current and historical data will be preloaded into STARS. Demographics updates or new members can be added manually or via file import once STARS launches.
Yes, with the exception of Social Security numbers, employers and members will have the ability to update member information directly in the system. If a social security number is incorrect, the employer will need to contact PSPRS via secure messaging within STARS.
Yes, you can, the new system can handle processing multiple actions at a time.
Administration
Most new users will have to have their names and contact information entered and job duties assigned by their employer or local board’s designated STARS administrator to gain access to the system. PSPRS is working with employers to assign administrative roles to appropriate payroll and human resources staff and local board secretaries in preparation for launch.
PLEASE NOTE: Employers must contact PSPRS to add staff users to multiple employer accounts (ex. Police, fire, elected officials). This can be done by emailing [email protected]. Please include the requested staff user names, employer names and system numbers and include contact information for PSPRS to reach you.
That depends on the permissions assigned by the employer administrator. Ideally, each user will only have the access necessary to complete assigned duties. Example roles include human resources, cancer insurance, health insurance and finance, allowing users various access levels to carry out required tasks.
Employers can request W-9 forms from PSPRS by emailing the finance team at [email protected].
Contributions & Demographic Uploads
Yes. Employers can still, and are encouraged to, submit contribution, demographic and health insurance files for testing. PSPRS seeks a smooth transition to the STARS system and is ready to help employers with file submissions. Please consult in the “Review Your Employer Group Number/STARS Point of Contact” document in the STARS Resources section of this webpage for your PSPRS point of contact. Please allow time for responses.
Employers will have the ability to upload demographic changes and contributions in file uploads and will not have to submit information on a one-by-one basis. However, the ability to submit a change manually for single changes will be an option as well.
Yes, STARS is versatile, allowing file-importing employers to make entries or adjustments manually (one-at-a-time) and vice versa.
No. In the new system, the former employer will not delay employers from being able to add and remit contributions on behalf of a transfer/lateral hire.
Yes, but credits will not be separately distinguished between employer and member contributions. They will all be classified as pension contributions.
When STARS launches, any credits created in the system will be approached on a “first in, first out” basis, following this hierarchy:
- Fire insurance premium tax credit (applied to both employer and member contributions)
- Prepaid credit contribution
- Work report adjustment credit contribution
As credits become available, they will be applied to any open invoices or work reports, then applied to the next upcoming invoice/work report.
Any unused prepaid credit account or contribution prepayment credits at year’s end (June 30) will be automatically applied to the employer’s unfunded liability or reserve balance(s) based on the new application of credits mentioned above (FIPTC, prepaid credit, work report adjustment). STARS cannot carry over prepayment balances from one fiscal year to the next.
No, errors that need to be resolved will be listed first when viewing reporting.
No. Employers have the option but do not have to adjust their work reports in response to contribution calculation differences for warnings to submit files and proceed to invoicing and payment. Most of the time, these differences are minor – often less than several cents in total – and result from STARS breaking down submitted employer contribution files and then rounding calculations by individual member, benefit plan, tier and benefit elections. Please note that invoices will reflect calculations performed by STARS if employers do not adjust work reports. Also, STARS includes notifications of file errors, which unlike warnings must be corrected by employers in order to process the record.
Health Insurance
Yes. Employers will use STARS to enter retiree health insurance changes performed through file uploading and manual entry. These files notify PSPRS of changes to ensure appropriate pension deductions and subsidy calculations, as well as benefit election updates and amendments to employer-administered health insurance plans.
Yes. Public safety and participating corrections/detention/court probation and surveillance employers will use STARS to administer cancer insurance tasks, including the payment of premiums.
Local Board
No. Local board secretaries will use STARS to send meeting minutes, notes and notices of changes to local board members and personnel.
Payment
No. We are excited about the enhancements that STARS brings for our employers particularly when it comes to payments, as this has been a common inconvenience for employers regarding payment method and timing of payment. STARS will be able to accept Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments in the new Employer Self-Service (ESS) portal. STARS will no longer support E-Bill payments.
Physical checks are also discouraged because they are less secure, less efficient and more expensive than modern electronic payment methods. The federal government and banks have actively pushed for this transition, with the U.S. Treasury moving to phase out most paper checks for federal payments by September 30, 2025. However, we do understand that this is the primary or only payment method for some of our employers, and for that reason we do continue to accept physical checks.
The ACH payment process enhancement is easier for employers and also helps supports PSPRS transition to comply with the statutory requirement to calculate an interest penalty on contributions not remitted within 15 business days after an employer’s pay period end date.
Yes. STARS will be able to accommodate multiple bank accounts, which can be used by employer administrators and users who need to make payments for multiple employers, like police, fire, corrections and elected officials.
No. PSPRS recognizes that the blackout period will temporarily disrupt operations and that employers may need time to successfully navigate the contribution reporting and payment process. Accordingly, PSPRS is offering a good faith “grace period” through May. During this time, which PSPRS may elect to extend, employers will not be charged interest for late payments associated with payroll reporting that fell within the blackout period and initial attempts to report contributions and make payments through STARS.
Employers can generate a record of transactions through the Transactions tab, which includes work reports history, billing adjustments, payments and credits. Employers can click on the transaction number Hyperlink to view the transaction details.
In the details, there will be summary at the very top including pay-period end date, the created date, who created the transaction, and then lower down, there is a summary of the fund buckets, contribution types, dollar amounts that were calculated and payment amounts. Users are able to print this view as a record of transactions by right clicking and selecting “print”.
STARS Employer Check-in Monthly Zoom Meetings
Designated employer point-of-contact staff members are encouraged to participate in monthly meetings on Zoom to stay up to speed with STARS developments.
“The meetings are easy and at the same time monthly,” said PSPRS local board relationship manager and meeting host, Joann Lowey. “We’ve been covering contribution and demographic reporting file specifications, project deadlines and helping our employers prepare for the STARS launch.”
Contact Joann Lowey at [email protected] for meeting information.
STARS Employer Update (March 2026) — Presentation