Members of PERF include:
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Public employees of state and local government entities (political subdivisions).
PERF exclusively benefits eligible employees of participating employers and their designated beneficiaries. Plan benefits are paid from the contributions of participating employers and members plus returns on investment of assets.
There are 2 PERF plans: PERF Hybrid and PERF My Choice. Some employers allow new employees a choice of plans. Those members can elect either the PERF Hybrid or My Choice plan within the first 60 days of hire.
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The PERF Hybrid plan benefit is made of 2 parts: a pension and a 401(a). At INPRS, we refer to a pension as the defined benefit (DB), and the 401(a) as the defined contribution (DC) account.
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The PERF My Choice plan is DC-only. Your balance consists of both employer share and member share contributions.
Consult your member handbook for more details
PERF My Choice Second Chance
As of July 1, 2026, PERF My Choice members who are vested in the PERF My Choice Plan and are employed by an employer who has submitted a resolution allowing this election will be eligible to participate in the PERF Hybrid Plan as of the effective date of the employers' resolution allowing this option.
As of the effective date of their employers' resolution allowing the Second Chance option, PERF My Choice members who are fully vested with five years of participation will have the option to make a one-time irrevocable change, and opt-in to the PERF Hybrid Plan.
PERF My Choice members will keep the funds in their PERF My Choice account.
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You are fully vested in these funds and will continue to be responsible for their investments.
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These funds can be used to purchase service in the PERF Hybrid Plan.
Purchasing Service
You may purchase service up to the amount of full years of participation in the PERF My Choice Plan. Service purchase is not required and there is no time limit to purchase service while you are actively employed once you have earned one year of Hybrid service.
The cost to purchase My Choice years of participation may be significant. INPRS is working to create an estimate calculator, but it is not yet available. For now, use the TRF Service Purchase Calculator, using the "Substitute Teaching" service type to get an approximate one-year estimate. This estimate is not official, but it will give you an idea of the cost.
Considering Your Options
The opportunity to change your INPRS retirement plan participation from the PERF My Choice Plan to the PERF Hybrid Plan increases your options as you work and plan for retirement. To further explain how this plan change might work, we have provided two example scenarios.
Vested My Choice Member, No Prior Hybrid Service
Beth has worked as an accountant in city government for six years and is participating in the PERF My Choice Plan. She is vested in the PERF My Choice Plan and her account balance is $32,000. She's developed a passion for city government and now plans on working in public service for the remainder of her career and wants to participate in the PERF Hybrid Plan.
Her employer recently updated their resolution with INPRS to allow their employees that are active members of the PERF My Choice Plan the opportunity to make a one-time irrevocable change, and opt-in to the PERF Hybrid Plan. She decides to use her Second Chance opportunity to join the PERF Hybrid Plan, so she completes the request form and brings it to her employer to make the election. Her employer submits the completed form to INPRS, and the change is made as of the effective date submitted to INPRS. Now, each day she works, she earns PERF Hybrid service credit and a 3% contribution to her defined contribution account.
Beth is 100% vested in the $32,000 balance in her PERF My Choice account. Once she earns one year of Hybrid service, she can purchase service using these funds, her personal funds, and her employer can contribute to her service purchase, too. Since she needs to earn one year of Hybrid service before being eligible to purchase service, she makes a note to request a service purchase estimate from INPRS in a year. When she does, she'll ask for several scenarios, up to the maximum amount of allowable purchased service, which is equal to the service she's earned in the PERF My Choice plan, or six years. Any service she purchases will be creditable service, meaning it adds to her earned service toward vesting in the PERF Hybrid Plan.
Vested My Choice Member, with Prior Hybrid Service
Alan started his career in city government and earned two years of PERF Hybrid service before accepting a position with another government unit that only offered the PERF My Choice Plan. He's just reached vested status in his PERF My Choice Plan and wants to make the election to participate in the PERF Hybrid Plan, which his employer started offering after Alan became employed. Since he has prior PERF Hybrid service, Alan wants to start earning service credit toward his pension.
When he submits his form to his employer, his retirement plan will change to PERF Hybrid as of the effective date submitted to INPRS. After this change, the service credit he earns on the job will be in the PERF Hybrid Plan. When he calculates his eligibility to retire, his newly earned PERF Hybrid service will combine with what he's already earned, meaning he only needs to earn eight more years of creditable service to reach vested status.
For now, he's not interested in purchasing service, but he's eligible to do so now because he's already earned at least one year of Hybrid service. He's fully vested in the PERF My Choice contributions he's earned already and there's no deadline to request an estimate or purchase service as long as he's still actively employed with his current employer. If he decided that he's interested in purchasing service, it will be creditable, meaning it will be added to his earned service toward vesting in the PERF Hybrid Plan.
If Alan were to purchase two years of service now, he would have a total of four years of creditable service – two from his work in city government as a PERF Hybrid member and the two he purchased. In this scenario, he would only need to earn six more years of creditable service to be vested in his pension benefit.
Making the Change
You are responsible for initiating the change from the PERF My Choice Plan to the PERF Hybrid Plan. To elect Second Chance, you must:
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Bring the form to your employer to complete, then
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Your employer will be responsible for listing the effective date of the election and submitting the form to INPRS.
You may make your Second Chance election at any time during active employment. There is no time limit to make your election while you are actively employed.
A member of INPRS's Member Advocate Team will contact you by email to let you know the plan membership change has been completed.
Members who make the Second Chance election will see both their TRF My Choice and TRF Hybrid Plans listed under "My Plans" while logged in to their secure accounts.
New to INPRS Covered Employment
Take this opportunity to register your account at myINPRSretirement.org. Ensure your information is accurate, add any beneficiaries, and make investment elections.
Then make a habit of logging in to your account regularly so that when you do move or your personal email address changes, you can easily keep it updated.
Some employers allow new employees a choice of plans. Those members can elect either the Hybrid or My Choice Plan within the first 60 days of hire. This plan election is irrevocable, whether it's by choice or by default. Election options vary depending on employer.
Contributions
Hybrid
The current composite rate is 11.2% and continues through June 30, 2027. As allowed by the Indiana General Assembly, this rate pertains to all PERF employers for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
My Choice
The current PERF My Choice Plan contribution rate for both State of Indiana and local government employers is 11.2% and will remain at 11.2% through June 30, 2027.
The breakdown of the 2026 contribution rate for State of Indiana My Choice Plan employers is 4.4% for normal cost and 6.8% for amortization of the unfunded liability, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. From July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, the breakdown will be 5.0% for normal cost and 6.2% for amortization of the unfunded liability.
For Local Government entities (participating political subdivisions), employers choose how much to contribute to employee accounts, from 0% up to the normal cost of the fund. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the normal cost is 4.4% through Dec. 31, 2026. The normal cost as of Jan. 1, 2027, will be 5.0% through Dec. 31.
In addition, local government entities (political subdivisions) must make a supplemental contribution toward the fund's actuarial unfunded liability. The contribution rate is 6.8% through Dec. 31, 2026, and will be 6.2% through Dec. 31, 2027.
What does "normal cost" mean? It's the part you have to fulfill during the 5-year vesting period to fully consider it "your money." It is the portion of the contributions made to your defined contribution account that your employer elects to make (or not make). They can elect to contribute anywhere from 0% up to the normal cost of the fund.
Please note that the breakdown of the rate can change each year.
Change Employment Before Retiring
Leaving PERF-covered employment does not mean you leave the fund. You still can make changes within your account.
If you're leaving your PERF-covered position, check these things off your list:
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Ensure your contact information is updated if you move or change your email address.
- Log in to your account at myINPRSretirement.org
- Select "More Resources" menu on the left side of the screen.
- Click on "I want to update my contact information."
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Stay up to date on all things INPRS, including any changes to legislation that may impact you.
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If you are changing to another PERF or TRF-covered employer, understand the plans available with your new employer before you make the move.
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Know your options with defined contribution balance and defined benefit eligibility.
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Check out your plan's specific vesting schedule to confirm if your years of service make you eligible for full benefits when you retire.
You are vested in PERF Hybrid after 10 years of creditable service. Certain elected officials may be vested after eight years of creditable service.
You are vested in PERF My Choice after 5 years of participation.
Consult your member handbook for more details
Hybrid
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Know when you can start using your retirement savings.
Explore your plan's timeline for retirement distribution.
Once you reach the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) age set by the IRS, you must take a distribution if you have not separated from employment.
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Know your options for the funds in your DC account.
- You can leave the funds invested with INPRS until you retire. INPRS will send quarterly statements with your DC investment details, which is an important reason to keep your contact information updated at myINPRSretirement.org
- You can roll over the funds in your DC to a qualified retirement account, if offered by a new employer, or an IRA. You can choose either a direct rollover of all or part of the taxable portion of your DC, or a direct rollover of all or part of the non-taxable portion of your DC. You should contact the IRA sponsor or the administrator of the plan you wish to roll the money into for information.
- PERF Hybrid members who are separated from their covered position for at least 30 days may request a distribution of their DC.
- INPRS is required by law to withhold 20% for federal income taxes from any taxable lump sum distribution paid directly to you. There may be additional tax penalties. Consult a financial advisor for more details.
- PERF Hybrid members who are at least 59½ years of age and service eligible for normal retirement may request a distribution of their DC.
Consult your member handbook for more details
My Choice
While you can separate from employment and take a distribution at any age, but you must be at least 62 years of age and fully vested to purchase an annuity. Minimum balance requirements may apply.
You can also take in-service distributions if you're at least 62 years of age and fully vested.
Once you reach the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) age set by the IRS, you must take a distribution if you have not separated from employment.
Change Personal Information
Login to your personal account at myINPRSretirement.org. You will need to fill out a form and update your account display name.
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To fill out the form:
- Navigate to the left-hand side of your dashboard.
- Select Documents.
- Click on Plan Forms.
- Click on Member Data Change form.
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Download it, follow instructions to fill it out, and return it to INPRS by either:
- Scanning the completed form and emailing it to INPRS at questions@inprs.in.gov, or
- Mailing the completed form to INPRS at:
One North Capitol Avenue, Suite 001
Indianapolis, IN 46204
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To update your account display name:
- On the My Profile page, select Personal Information. Your account display name will be an option that you can edit.
- Please note: changing your marital status might also result in a change to other personal information, like mailing address and beneficiaries. Those are also found on the Personal Information page so update them as well if applicable.
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You may be eligible to receive service credit for continuous periods of employment for paid leaves of absence. These include:
- Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
- New Parent Leave and Stillbirth Support
- Worker’s Compensation Leave
- Disability Leave
- Military Service
If you’re not eligible for any of the above, you can buy Additional Service (Air-Time), if you are a Hybrid member and are fully vested. You can purchase up to 1 year of service for every 5
years of creditable service.
To report a death – call INPRS or fill out a Death Report.
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Call INPRS at 1-800-464-6777.
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To fill out the form:
- Login to your personal account at myINPRSretirement.org.
- Navigate to the left-hand side of your dashboard.
- Select Documents.
- Select Plan Forms.
- Select Death Report form.
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Download it, follow instructions to fill it out, and return it to INPRS by either:
- Scanning the completed form and emailing it to INPRS at questions@inprs.in.gov, or
- Mailing the completed form to INPRS at:
One North Capitol Avenue, Suite 001
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Hybrid Plan
If you have between 9 and 11 years of creditable service, check with INPRS to verify your actual vested status.
Why? Because vested PERF Hybrid plan members have at least 10 years of covered service, and some elected officials have an 8-year vesting schedule.
Hybrid Plan Types of Retirement:
1. Early Retirement – with a reduced benefit (DB only)
If you have 15 years of service and are age 50 through 59, you are eligible for a reduced benefit amount. The amount of the reduction is a percentage of the full amount based on your age and years of service at retirement.
2. Normal Retirement – minimum age with a full benefit (DB only)
You can apply for full retirement benefits if you:
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Have at least 10 years of service and are at least age 65 or at least age 60 with 15 years of participation, or
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Meet the Rule of 85, which requires that a member be at least 55 years old and their age and years of service total 85.
3. Disability Benefit
You must have earned a minimum of 5 years of service and become disabled while in a covered position. You must also be considered disabled by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and provide INPRS an SSA award letter.
4. Survivor Benefit
If a vested member passes away prior to receiving their pension, their surviving spouse or dependent children qualify for pension benefits.
5. Millie Morgan
You must be at least 65 with 20 or more years of creditable service (while working in a PERF or TRF covered position).
6. Elected Official
You must be at least 55 with 20 or more years of creditable service (while serving in your elected position) with a reduced benefit unless you meet the Rule of 85.
My Choice Plan
My Choice Plans offer only one retirement option.
You're always 100% vested in your fixed 3% mandatory member contributions and any optional contributions you may have rolled into your My Choice plan.
For your employer's contributions, the vesting schedule is:
Retirement Application Process
Submit your retirement application to INPRS at least 90 days before you plan to retire. The maximum retroactive benefit allowed under Indiana law is 6 months.
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Choose a retirement date.
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For the application you will need:
- A personal email address
- A retirement date
- A retirement plan option (for the Hybrid Plan)
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Defined Contribution Option(s):
- Defer
- Rollover
- Lump Sum
- Annuity
- Systematic Withdrawal Plan
- Split balance among the above
- Survivor and Beneficiary information
- Tax withholding information
- Banking information, including account and routing number
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Know the application submission date.
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How to apply:
Consult your member handbook for more details
COLAs and 13th Checks do not apply to My Choice Plans.
13th Check Payments
Members (or survivors or beneficiaries of members) who were retired or disabled on or before Dec. 1, 2025, and are entitled to receive a monthly benefit on July 1, 2026, are entitled to receive a 13th check no later than Oct. 1, 2026, in the amounts shown in the service tiers below, based on the member’s creditable service. If multiple beneficiaries or survivors are entitled to a 13th check payment, the amount is allocated using the same percentages as those used for the monthly benefit.
| Member's Years of Service |
Payment Amount |
| At least 5 but less than 10 years |
$150 |
| At least 10 but less than 20 years |
$275 |
| At least 20 but less than 30 years |
$375 |
| At least 30 years |
$450 |
There is no guarantee of any future 13th checks or future COLAs that the Indiana General Assembly has not yet granted. The Indiana General Assembly may or may not grant future 13th Checks (beyond those specifically granted by HEA 1221) or future COLAs. INPRS is only permitted to grant fully funded 13th checks or COLAs as explicitly provided by the Indiana General Assembly and retirement fund law.
2026 Payment Dates
Your pension payment date is the 15th of each month. If you receive your check in the mail, it will be mailed out before the payment date but is not guaranteed to arrive by the 15th. If the 15th falls on a weekend, your payment will be mailed on the prior business day. If you have direct deposit, the deposit is made on the same day as the payable date. If you have questions, please call (844) 464-6777.
Download 2026 Benefit Calendar
| Month |
Payment Date |
Day of the Week |
| January |
15 |
Thursday |
| February |
13 |
Friday |
| March |
13 |
Friday |
| April |
15 |
Wednesday |
| May |
15 |
Friday |
| June |
15 |
Monday |
| July |
15 |
Wednesday |
| August |
14 |
Friday |
| September |
15 |
Tuesday |
| October |
15 |
Thursday |
| November |
13 |
Friday |
| December |
15 |
Tuesday |
Return and Continue to Work
To return to a PERF-covered position, you must have a 30-day separation from your retirement date. Under Indiana law, you cannot have any formal or informal agreements to reemploy in a covered position.
To collect retirement benefits while continuing to work, there are 2 options:
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Millie Morgan – Minimum age of 65 with 20 or more years of creditable service (while working in a PERF or TRF covered position).
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Elected Officials – Minimum age of 55 with 20 or more years of creditable service (while serving in their elected position), with a reduced benefit unless you meet the Rule of 85.
Consult your member handbook for more details