Attention: Upcoming One-time Open Election Period

Attention: Upcoming One-time Open Election Period

The 2024 Pension and Retirement Policy and Supplemental Budget Bill was signed into law on May 15. The law includes a one-time open election period from October 1, 2024 to October 30, 2024 when certain public officials, city managers, and public ambulance personnel who began service with a public employer between February 1, 2024 and July 31, 2024 can make a final PERA membership decision.

IMPACTED POSITIONS

PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND PUBLIC AMBULANCE SERVICE PERSONNEL

>>Can make a final decision to join the Defined Contribution Plan (DCP). Public officials must have approval from the governing body with a resolution

>>If public officials and public ambulance service personnel started work between February 1, 2024 and July 31, 2024 and are not already participating in the DCP, making no selection results in an automatic election to opt out of the DCP. Either election is permanent for all current and future service with a governmental subdivision.

CITY MANAGERS WITHOUT PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY

>>Can make a final decision to revoke participation from the Coordinated Plan and have no PERA coverage. City managers must have approval from the governing body with a resolution.

ELECTION FORM

The Open Election Period form will be available on our Forms & Publications page on October 1, 2024. The election form with the individual’s final membership decision must be received by PERA between October 1, 2024 and October 30, 2024. Election forms received on or after October 31, 2024 cannot be accepted.

Employers must inform eligible individuals of their opportunity to make a final PERA membership decision. By law, it is the individual’s decision to participate in optional PERA membership when they hold an eligible position.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

>>Employers: Review the Employer Notice—Open Election Period to determine who is eligible to participate in the one-time open election period.

>>Eligible Individuals: Review the Employee Notice of Eligibility—Open Election Period to learn more about the one-time open election period.