News
Census 2020: Be Counted!
A friendly reminder to complete your census form by the end of September!
Participating in the 2020 census is key to Georgia’s future. Response rates determine how billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to states for education, infrastructure, public health, and related areas.
How to Respond:
Georgians can respond to the 2020 Census in one of three ways:
SB 26 Allows ERS Members to Purchase Prior GDCP Service
Effective July 1, 2020, ERS members with at least 5 years of ERS service, who were also GDCP members immediately prior to beginning ERS Membership, may be eligible to transfer or purchase such GDCP service in ERS. This GDCP service will be valued at full actuarial cost to members’ ERS benefit, which can be higher than the contributions to GDCP.
Post-Retirement Benefit Adjustments
Fiscal Year 2021
For all four plans (ERS, LRS, JRS, Public School Systems): No post-retirement adjustment for fiscal year 2021.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates: 4/2/2020
Update 4/2/2020
CARES Act and Your PSR Account – COVID-19
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill contains certain provisions affecting Peach State Reserves (PSR) 401(k) and 457 plans. Please log in to your account at GaBreeze for information and updates.
This bill will not affect the administration any of ERSGA’s pension plans.
Disruptions to Paper Checks
Visitors to ERSGA Must Have a Scheduled Appointment
To ensure the best possible service to our Members, effective February 1, 2020, ERSGA will only see visitors who have scheduled an appointment before coming to our office.
Fraud Alert: Dating Documents in 2020
For this year, 2020, it is especially important to use the full year when writing dates to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud.
Abbreviating to the last two digits of the year can create a fraud opportunity, as the date could easily be changed by adding numbers to the end.
For example: 1/9/20 could become post-dated to 1/9/2019 or dated to be in the future to 1/9/2021.
Protect your information and write out the full year of 2020 on checks, forms, and other documentation.
The 5 Ws & H of GSRA
Who:
An inspired group of long-time state employees gathered to form an advocacy group for those who dedicate their careers to state employment.
This group formed the Georgia State Retirees Association (GSRA) as an advocacy organization created by retired state employees for the benefit of state retirees. GSRA’s goal is to promote the education and welfare of Georgia State government retirees relative to their retirement and health care benefits.
What:
Is Your Beneficiary Information Current?
As a member of one of ERSGA’s retirement plans, you’ve already taken an important first step in securing your financial security in retirement. But what about the financial security of your loved ones? Keeping your beneficiary information current ensures benefits from the retirement plans are paid in accordance with your wishes in the event of your death.
Beneficiary Information for Retirees
Keeping your beneficiary information current ensures benefits from the retirement system are paid in accordance with your wishes in the event of your death.
If you are not sure who you elected as your beneficiary(ies), you can view your selection online using the Log In button at the top of any page on our website, or by contacting us. It is important that we have your most current beneficiary information on file.
Alert: Phishing Attempts
Attempts to gain access to ERSGA Active and Retiree Accounts
The Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia (ERSGA) has become aware that retirement systems along with their members, retirees and beneficiaries are being targeted with phishing emails attempting to gain access to their login credentials. DO NOT DO THIS!
Jim Potvin Elected President of NASRA
August 2019
The National Association of State
Retirement Administrators (NASRA) has elected Jim Potvin,
Executive Director of the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia
(ERSGA), as the new President for 2019-2020. Mr. Potvin joined
ERSGA in February, 2009 as the Deputy Director, after 15 years in
private industry working in retirement plan administration and
consulting. He was appointed as the Executive Director in
February, 2012.
Payment Dates PSERS
Post-Retirement Benefit Adjustment
PSERS Retirees and Beneficiaries who receive a July, 2019 pension payment, and are eligible for a post-retirement benefit adjustment, will see cost of living increase with their July 2019 pension payment (payable on July 31, 2019). Click here for details.
Post-Retirement Benefit Adjustment
February 2020 Payment
During the Annual Board meetings on April 18, 2019, the Boards of Trustees for the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), the Legislative Retirement System (LRS), and the Judicial Retirement System (JRS) considered whether to grant post-retirement benefit adjustments to retirees and beneficiaries in fiscal year 2020. Actions taken by the Boards for February 2020 are as follows:
ERS
Payment Dates ERS, LRS, JRS
Post-Retirement Benefit Adjustment
ERS, LRS, & JRS Retirees and Beneficiaries who receive a July 2019 pension payment and are eligible for post-retirement benefit adjustments, will receive a one-time benefit adjustment payable the first week of August 2019. Click here for details.
PSERS Benefit Multiplier Increase
Effective 7/1/2019
The benefit rate for members of the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) has been raised for PSERS members, retirees, and beneficiaries with retirements on or after 8/1/2012, from $15.25 to $15.50 per month per year of service. This increase is effective 7/1/2019 and will be reflected in the July 2019 pension payment.
Post-Retirement Benefit Adjustments
Benefit Payment Information - January 2020
During the Annual Board meetings on April 18, 2019, the Boards of Trustees for the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) considered whether to grant post-retirement benefit adjustments to retirees and beneficiaries in fiscal year 2020. Action taken by the PSERS Board for January 2020 are as follows:
ERS Personal Benefit Statements
February 27, 2020
Personal Statements of Retirement Benefits
Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia (ERSGA) mailed
annual Personal Statement of Retirement Benefits to ERS members
on February 27, 2020.
This integrated statement combines ERSGA pension benefits
and Peach State Reserves (PSR) (if applicable) balances to
provide an overview estimate of where members currently stand in
achieving their retirement goals. In addition, if members
have a PSR balance, their Social Security estimate will be
factored into the summary.
Notice: Print Changes to 1099-R Forms
January 28, 2019
ERS recently changed the forms for 1099-R documents.
Instead of a pre-printed, perforated form, you will receive your 2018 1099 forms on plain paper, enclosed in an envelope.
You can also download a copy of your 1099 form by logging into your account using the Log In button at the top of this page.