Investing In Your Future

The road to retirement is paved with preparation, and the MERS Defined Contribution Plan helps you do just that — by taking an active role in planning for the future.

MERS Defined Contribution Plan provides you with an account to which contributions are made and assets are invested. When you retire, your benefits are based on the total amount of money in your account. As a qualified plan, you are not taxed on your employer contributions or earnings until you withdraw your assets.

Action Items

  • Update beneficiary information
    1. Log in to myMERS
    2. Select your plan in the Accounts dashboard under Retirement
    3. Select Manage My Beneficiaries on the right side
  • Roll funds from outside eligible accounts
  • Update personal contact information
    1. Log in to myMERS
    2. Select your plan in the Accounts dashboard under Retirement
    3. Select Edit My Profile on the right side
  • Review investment options
    • Log in to myMERS
    • Select your plan in the Accounts dashboard under Retirement. Current investment information is located here
    • Change your investments by clicking Change My Investments on the right side
  • View account statements
    • Log in to myMERS
    • Select your plan in the Accounts dashboard under Retirement
    • Select View My Statements on the right side

 

HOW IT WORKS

 MERS Defined Contribution Handbook (pdf)

Your MERS Defined Contribution Plan benefit is made up of any contributions from you and your employer, and investment interest earned. When you enroll in the Defined Contribution Plan, you select from the streamlined MERS Investment Menu. For more investment information, please read Understanding the MERS Investment Menu(pdf).

Contributions are deposited into your individual account, and invested under your direction. At retirement, your benefits are based on the total amount of money in your account. This amount is determined by:

  • Your contributions
  • Any employer contributions
  • Market performance, minus fees

You must be vested at termination to withdraw your employer’s contributions.

RETIREMENT ELIGIBILITY

You can begin receiving retirement benefits when you reach the age and service requirements under your plan provisions. Additionally, if you are still active and have reached age 60, you are eligible for in-service voluntary distributions of your vested assets. You can also leave your account invested with MERS under your direction. A few reasons to keep your account active include:

  • Access to the MERS Investment Menu
  • Low administrative fees
  • Excellent customer service.

Public safety officers (as defined by the IRS) may be eligible to use DC funds to pay for health insurance premiums. View more information on this topic.

Learn about the Defined Contribution Plan retirement process.

MERS Investment Menu

Streamlined MERS DC Investment Menu.

Rollover Funds


Did you know, you may be able to transfer or rollover funds into your MERS account?

Find Forms

Want to change your investments, or your named beneficiary? Find your form.

Start Planning

Do you know how much you’ll need in retirement? Estimate your future costs.

Leaving Your Employer?

Find out when you’ll be able to access your account. Here’s how to start.

Ready To Retire?

Learn how to start the retirement process.