PERSI Brochures

The PERSI Web site is a valuable resource for retirement benefit information. The brochures below are provided to help members and retirees understand their benefits and the advantages of PERSI membership.

Benefits at a Glance - PERSI Retirement Plan, Base Plan Benefits, Disability benefits, Death Benefits, Portability of Funds, Cost of Living Adjustments, The Choice 401(k) Plan and Additional Benefits of the PERSI Base Plan.

Credited Service - You accrue one month of membership service for each calendar month you work as an active member of PERSI. A calendar month is one in which you are employed 15 days or more.

Death Benefit – In addition to the emotional stress caused by the death of a loved one, a severe blow is often dealt to the family's financial security - particularly when death occurs during the career years. To help ease this burden, PERSI offers valuable financial protection in the form of death benefits.

Disability Benefit – If your career is cut short because of a permanent and total disability, you may be eligible for a monthly disability benefit from your PERSI Base Plan if you meet certain eligibility requirements. This booklet explains those benefits.

Divorce – If a PERSI member has been married at any time while actively participating in PERSI and is considering a divorce, the spouse may be legally entitled to a portion of the member's PERSI accounts and/or benefits. PERSI is providing the following general information to help members, their spouses, and attorneys regarding the division of PERSI accounts and/or benefits upon divorce.

Early Retirement – You may retire early if you: 1) end employment after meeting the minimum age requirement, AND 2) have at least 60 months of credited service. Note: Elected and appointed officials should contact PERSI regarding service requirements.

Military Service and Your PERSI Benefits - If your PERSI employment is interrupted by military service, you retain your PERSI Base and Choice Plan 401(k) benefits. You may even earn PERSI Base Plan credit for your period of active duty without making PERSI contributions.

Outliving Your Spousal Contingent Annuitant - This brochure will help you understand what happens when a retiree receiving PERSI benefits outlives their spousal contingent annuitant (CA) and later remarries.

Purchase of PERSI Base Plan Service - If you are a vested PERSI member, you may purchase additional service to improve your Base Plan retirement benefit. You may purchase up to 48 months (4 years) of service for any reason.

Reinstatement Interest Rate - The reinstatement interest rate changes on an annual basis. This is the rate charged on repayment of Base Plan Separation Benefits, Waiting Periods, and Delinquent Contributions.

Retirement Checklist - Whether you're planning to retire in a few months or a few years, you should start thinking about what you need to do to make your transition into retirement as smooth as possible. This checklist will guide you towards retirement by identifying the steps and documents needed to complete PERSI's retirement process.

Retirement Options - This booklet explains the various Base Plan (pension) retirement options available through PERSI. Some options are very easy to understand, and others are a bit more complicated. Before choosing a retirement option, you are encouraged to make an appointment with a PERSI Retirement Specialist.

Retiring with Mixed Service - If you have part of your credited service as a general member and part as a police officer/PERSI firefighter, you have Mixed Service. If you have mixed service, you can determine the age at which you are eligible for early or service retirement by calculating your service retirement ratio.

Service Retirement – Service Retirement Age is the age at which you may retire with an unreduced benefit. You may take service retirement if you: 1) End employment on or after reaching service retirement age, AND 2) Have 60 months of credited service including six months of membership service. Note: Elected or appointed officials should contact PERSI regarding service retirement requirements.

Tax Deductibility of IRA Contributions - This brochure may help you understand the tax laws and regulations limiting the deductibility of IRA contributions for board and commission members.

Withdrawing Your PERSI Funds - This brochure will give you information on how to withdraw your funds from your PERSI Base Plan and your Choice 401(k) Plan.

Working After Retirement - If you're considering returning to work after retirement, it's important for you to know IRS regulations and Idaho State laws may affect your retirement benefit should you return to work.