Public Employees’ Retirement Fund (PERF)

PERF is a defined benefit 401(a) retirement plan established by the State of Indiana to provide retirement, disability, and survivor benefits for its participants. PERF has two separate and distinct benefits, a pension benefit and a defined contribution account benefit. Both benefits are funded by Indiana University. Participants are not required, nor permitted, to make additional contributions to the Plan.

This information on this page is only a summary. Visit the INPRS web site for PERF forms, publications, and additional information.

For Support and Service Staff Employees hired on or after July 1, 2013, see the Retirement & Savings Plan.

Plan Details

Eligibility

Non-Exempt Staff (excluding PAO & PAU) and Part-Time (formerly Temporary) employees appointed prior to July 1, 2013, who normally work at least 50% full-time equivalent upon their appointment and are expected to work at least 1000 hours or more a year, are eligible to participate in PERF.

Non-exempt: overtime-eligible.

Contributions

PERF has two separate and distinct benefits, a pension benefit and a defined contribution account benefit.

  1. Pension Benefit
    The full (unreduced) pension benefit is an annual benefit payable for life that is based on the following formula:
    Years of PERF Creditable Service X Final Average Salary X 1.1% = Annual Benefit for Life
  2. Defined Contribution Account Benefit (formerly called the Annuity Savings Account)
    The  Defined Contribution (DC) account benefit is an employer contribution equal to 3% of a participant’s compensation per pay period that is contributed to an individual participant account at the end of each pay period by Indiana University.

Vesting

Participants must have at least 10 years of PERF creditable service (or at least 5 years PERF creditable service before becoming eligible for the IU Retirement Plan) to have a vested right to the pension benefit.

 Investment Options

Participants may invest their Defined Contribution (DC) account in one or more investment funds. The default investment is an age appropriate Target Retirement Date Fund.

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Distributions & Withdrawals

In-Service Withdrawals: As of January 1, 2021, participants who are at least 59½ years of age, and are age and service eligible for normal retirement, may take a distribution from their Defined Contribution (DC) account without separating service.

Millie Morgan Provision: If a participant has attained age 70 and has been credited with 20 or more years of PERF creditable service, the participant may begin receiving PERF pension while continuing to work at Indiana University. Beginning July 1, 2023, participants only need to attain age 65 with 20 or more years of PERF service to take advantage of this provision. Learn more about the Millie Morgan Retirement provision.

Non-Covered Employees: Participants that had PERF and are no long in a PERF- covered position, may be eligible to begin pension benefits. The participant must meet eligibility rules (i.e. Age 65 with 10 years of service, age 60 with 15 years of service, or meet the rule of 85).

For additional information contact IU Human Resources at or 812-856-1234.

Options When You Leave IU

Generally, a participant must terminate employment with Indiana University and all other State employers who are participating employers in PERF in order to be eligible to receive distribution of plan benefits. A participant's distribution options will differ depending on the following participant circumstances:

  • The participant terminates employment and does not qualify for a pension benefit ("cash-out provision");
  • The participant terminates employment with 5 or more years of PERF creditable service and is disabled ("disability provision"); or
  • The participant terminates employment and qualifies for a full or reduced pension benefit ("retirement provision").

To be eligible receive a full (unreduced) pension benefit, a participant must satisfy the following conditions:

  • The participant terminates employment or is in a “non-covered” position with IU;  and
  • The participant must satisfy one of the following age and service conditions:
    1. Attainment of age 65 with 10 or more years of PERF creditable service (or at least 5 years creditable service before becoming eligible for the IU Retirement Plan;
    2. Attainment of age 60 with 15 or more years of PERF creditable service; or at least 10 years PERF covered service before switching to IU Retirement Plan.
    3. Attainment of age 55 with the participant's age and total number of years of PERF creditable service equaling 85 or more.

For more information, review the PERF section of the Frequently Asked Questions or the Benefits After Separation Guide.

Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) at Age 72
Federal law requires participants to begin receiving at least a partial distribution of PERF Defined Contribution (DC) account funds by April 1 of the calendar year following the year he/she reaches age 72, or upon retirement/separation, whichever is later. Failure to withdraw the RMD annually by the applicable deadline can result in substantial tax penalties.

Resources

Customer Service Contacts

IU Human Resources

Phone: 812-856-1234

PERF
PERF Call Center: 844-GO-INPRS (have your PIN number available before calling)
Website: www.in.gov/inprs/
Fax: (866) 591-9441