Concerned about the retirement buyout coming up. I don't understand how its figured out, will they take in consideration how many years you will be actually in retirement, help with taxes if you cash out, financial advice. Also, when can we expect more of the information to come out. Thank you!We are currently finalizing the list of members who are eligible for the Buyout Program and verifying all their information. We cannot yet answer any questions about eligibility or individual lump-sum amounts until we have mailed your letter. We will send letters about the Buyout Program to all eligible members by the end of September. This voluntary program will be offered to eligible former state employees who are vested in a MOSERS retirement plan.
Not Eligible: You are not eligible for the buyout if you are actively employed in a MOSERS or MPERS-covered position, already retired and receiving a MOSERS benefit, have applied for early retirement or will reach normal retirement eligibility with MOSERS prior to 12/1/2017. (See our Rumor Central post “Lump-Sum Payout?” for other reasons vested former state employees may not be eligible.)
If you are eligible, we will send you a personalized letter which will contain both the estimate of your one-time lump-sum amount (if you choose to elect the buyout) and also your future estimated normal retirement annuity/monthly benefit amount. If you do not choose to participate in the Buyout Program, we will contact you prior to retirement eligibility and provide information about the retirement application process.
The amount of the lump-sum payment will be 60% of the present value of your future normal retirement annuity. In order to estimate how long a member might live in retirement, we will use unisex mortality tables. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of your future normal retirement annuity is 7.50% (this is the amount we assume we will earn each year through our investments). All lump-sum payment amounts will be calculated as of October 1, 2017.
With regard to taxes,
• If eligible, you should read the Special Tax Notice and consider discussing it with a qualified tax advisor to ensure you fully understand the tax implications of electing the buyout payment.
• If eligible, you may take the lump-sum buyout payment as a cash payment, as a rollover to a qualified retirement plan, or as a combination cash and rollover distribution.
• Any distribution not directly rolled over to a qualified retirement plan will be reported as taxable income in the year of payment. MOSERS is required to withhold 20% of the taxable portion of a cash distribution for federal income tax. If you are younger than age 59 1/2, an additional 10% early distribution federal tax penalty may apply.
To give members a heads-up so they will be watching for their letter, we will send a newsletter (by email and to home mailing addresses that we have on file) to eligible members with more information about the Buyout Program.
No comments