Probation & Telecommunicator Plan

How much of my Coordinated service transfers into the New Plan?

All Coordinated service credit you earned prior to January 1, 2027, will transfer into the New Plan regardless of what position you held. However, the benefits from your Coordinated service will be calculated using the Coordinated Plan’s benefit formula.

Will my Coordinated Service be calculated using the New Plan formula?

No. The Coordinated Plan and the New Plan will each use its own formula to calculate your retirement benefit. While each plan will use the same high-five salary, they have different features such as the benefit multiplier and full retirement age.

What if I am not actively working?

You must be active in an employer-certified Probation Officer or Public Safety Telecommunicator position on January 1, 2027, to move into the New Plan.

I am eligible for Rule of 90 (started public service prior to July 1, 1989). Will I be moved into the New Plan?

No. Members who are eligible for Rule of 90 are excluded. A member will be excluded even if they have not actually reached Rule of 90.

What is the process to purchase or convert my Coordinated service to the New Plan?

After March 1, 2027, you can request an estimate to convert your Coordinated service into New Plan service. There will be a verification form (available on our website) that employers need to complete to certify that the Coordinated service being converted was earned while working as a probation officer or telecommunicator. A separate form is required for each Coordinated position that you would like to convert.

There will be an additional form you will submit to request up to 3 different retirement scenarios.

There is a $250 fee required for purchase estimates. The fee will be applied to the purchase cost.

Once PERA receives both forms and the $250 fee, we will send out estimates showing both the purchase cost and a comparison of benefit amounts with and without the purchase.

These estimates will take approximately 6 weeks.

*If you plan to retire and start your retirement benefit in January, February, or March 2027, contact our Member Service Center at 651-296-7460.

What else do I need to know about the purchase?

• The purchase is a one-time opportunity and must be completed prior to your retirement effective date.
• The purchase must be paid in a single lump sum from a pre-tax retirement account.
• Employers must certify that you worked as a probation officer or telecommunicator during the time the Coordinated service was earned.

How will my benefit be calculated?

Both the Coordinated Plan and the New Plan will use its own formula to calculate your retirement benefit. While each plan will use the same high-five salary, they have different features such as the benefit multiplier and full retirement age.

Will my Coordinated Service be calculated using the New Plan formula?

Please see the Coordinated Service section.

Can I select different retirement options between my Coordinated benefit and my New Plan benefit?

Yes. You will be able to select different effective dates and different benefit options (single life or survivor) for each portion of your benefit. There will be 2 different applications that need to be completed.

Do I have to start my benefits at the same time?

Your Coordinated service can be deferred to a future date and will still be calculated with the same Hi5 salary (even if it is outside the 12 months of a traditional Combined Service Annuity (CSA)). There will be 2 different applications that need to be completed.

I qualify for Rule of 90. Will I be moved into the New Plan?

Please see the Coordinated Service section.

How will my estimate look? Will I see one monthly amount for both my Coordinated service and New Plan service, or will it be broken down by each plan?

Your Coordinated benefit and New Plan benefit will be displayed separately, and you will add them together for a total benefit amount.

There will be indicators to help you know which estimates go together (e.g., you choose different effective dates for the Coordinated and New Plan portions).