As a member of PERA, you have options when you leave public employment.
Moving to Another Public or State Job
If you move to another PERA-covered job, you will continue to contribute to PERA. If you move to other Minnesota public service, such as a state or teaching job, your contributions can remain with PERA for a potential future Combined Service Annuity. Please keep your information up-to-date with PERA.
Leaving Public Employment
If you are leaving PERA covered employment, you have a few options based on whether you are vested or not.
Vested
If you are vested, you may leave your contributions with PERA and draw a benefit when you retire.
Not Vested
If you are not vested, you have five years after your last contribution to either return to public service, or take a refund. If you return to public service within five years, you can pick up where you left off.
If you remain out of PERA service, you should apply for a refund, or roll over your contributions into another tax- qualified retirement plan. If you don’t do anything within five years, you will forfeit your contributions.
