The following provides answers to some of the more frequently asked questions regarding membership and reporting requirements for PSERS.
Q1. A PSERS corrections officer is hired into a full time position, but the position is scheduled to last six months. Is this individual eligible for membership in PSERS?
A1. No. The PSERS retirement system law states that position must be permanent.
Q2. A person is hired as a full time corrections officer, but the officer does not carry a firearm on a daily basis. Is this individual still eligible for membership in PSERS?
A2. Yes. If you are using the member criteria item #1 to determine eligibility, the member must be authorized to carry a firearm, but does not need to carry a firearm every day.
Q3. An individual is employed as a corrections officer at one of the state correctional institutions. Another individual is employed as a jailer at a county jail facility. Is either of these individuals eligible for membership in PSERS?
A3. Yes, beginning July 1, 2006, these employees may be eligible for membership if these positions are permanent and full-time. Refer to PSERS Plan Rules and use the PSERS Eligibility Worksheet to assist you in your determination.
Individuals working in less than full-time positions may be eligible for membership in PERS if they are employed in eligible positions for a PERS-covered employer. (See PERS Membership for details.)
Q4. An individual is employed by a PSERS employer in a half-time position as a corrections officer. Is this individual eligible for membership in PSERS?
A4. No, employment must be full time. The individual may be eligible for membership in PERS if employed in an eligible position for a PERS-covered employer. (See PERS Membership for details.)
Q5. An individual is employed by two cities as a limited peace officer in two half-time positions. Is this individual eligible for membership in PSERS?
A5. No. The individual is not eligible. Employment from separate employers cannot be combined to meet the full time requirement. Only individuals who are employed full time for the same employer meet the eligibility requirement for PSERS. The individual may be eligible for membership in PERS if employed in eligible positions for a PERS-covered employer. (See PERS Membership for details.)
Q6. What if a PERS member was working in a PSERS eligible position during the election window, but chose to remain in PERS; then after September 30, 2006 takes a different PSERS position with their current employer?
A6. The member must remain in PERS as long as they remain employed with their current employer. Moreover, if the PERS member goes to a LEOFF position then back to a PSERS eligible position, the employee would remain in PERS because the member hasn't changed employers. However, if the member accepts employment in a PSERS position with a different employer, the member is mandated into PSERS.
Q7. A member in an eligible position takes an extended unpaid leave of absence. Is this individual still eligible for membership?
A7. Yes. An unpaid leave of absence does not affect the eligibility of a position. If the position requires 160 or more calendar hours of compensated employment, then the position is still eligible. The employer should continue to report the employee on the monthly transmittal using status code B.
Q8. Is everyone who supervises a PSERS member eligible for PSERS membership?
A8. No. Only those supervisors whose primary responsibility is to directly supervise PSERS members is eligible.
Q9. An employee works in a PERS eligible position from March 1 through November 10. On November 11, you redefine this as a PSERS eligible position. When do you begin reporting the individual in the PSERS position?
A9. With November's report using November 11 as the PSERS begin date. You would report an end date for the PERS position using November 10.
Q10. An employee is working in a PERS eligible position for another employer. You hire the employee into a PSERS position on November 11. How is this employee reported?
A10. There is no PSERS/PERS concurrent employment. When hiring a new employee, use MRV and the Retirement Status Form to determine prior retirement history, including concurrent employment. If a member is simultaneously working in a PERS eligible position for another employer, you must contact ESS.
You will report a November 11 begin date for the PSERS position. ESS will contact the other employer who will need to transmit an end date for the PERS service--November 10, one day prior to the PSERS begin date. PERS hours and compensation occurring during the simultaneous employment will also need to be backed out by the PERS employer.
Q11. The city where I work does not have a department called "Corrections Department," but we employ police support officers and corrections officers. Does this mean that these employees are not PSERS eligible?
A11. No. Your corrections department may be identified by a different name. If these employees meet at least one of the four PSERS member criteria, and are employed in a permanent, full time position, they may be PSERS eligible. Refer to the PSERS Plan Rules and the PSERS Eligibility Worksheet to determine eligibility.
Q12. What if two employees request to job-share a PSERS position? Can they be reported in PSERS?
A12. No. Not only must the position be permanent and full time, but the person must be working full time to be eligible for PSERS membership.
Q13. An individual who has been in PSERS is appointed by the Governor to an state elective position on an interim basis. Can the individual continue PSERS membership during the time in the elective position?
A13. Yes, but membership does not continue automatically. Upon being appointed to office, the individual must make a written application to DRS to continue membership in PSERS. (The individual could also choose PERS membership.) When the application is accepted, membership will continue without loss of service credit.
Q14. An individual who has been in PSERS is elected to state office and takes office in January. Should the individual be reported on the January transmittal?
A14. No. The individual must first make a written application to DRS to continue membership in PSERS. When the individual has received written acceptance from DRS, he or she should then be reported on the monthly transmittal. Membership and reporting will be required retroactively to the first day of the term of office.