Provider
PERS
Contact Information
Eligibility
Any benefits eligible employee may elect to participate in PERS. However, if an employee has made a previous ORP election while employed with another IHL institution through the State of Mississippi and holds an ORP eligible position through Mississippi State University, they are not eligible for participation in PERS.
Plan Information
PERS is a defined benefit plan that is designed to provide a monthly retirement benefit to employees at time of retirement.
Contributions
The employee's pre-tax contribution is 9% of gross wages and the university's contribution is 17.9% (effective July 1, 2024) of the employee's gross wages.
Vesting Period prior to July 1, 2007
A member who entered PERS prior to July 1, 2007, is vested after 4 years of service as a contributing member provided that he or she does not subsequently refund his or her account balance.
Vesting Period on or after July 1, 2007
A member who entered PERS on or after July 1, 2007, is vested after 8 years of service as a contributing member provided that he or she does not subsequently refund his or her account balance.
Retirement Eligibility
See page 25 of the PERS Member Handbook.
Keep your account information up-to-date
Complete Form 1C, Change of Information Form to ensure that your name, address, spouse, and beneficiary information are correct so that you do not miss timely delivery of information from PERS.
Eligible and thinking about retirement
Once you are eligible for retirement, filing Form 16, Advanced Application will allow you to pre-select any benefit option for which you are eligible and designate beneficiaries. If you should pass away before you retire, benefits will be paid in accordance with your wishes.