Utah Retirement Systems administers a defined benefit plan intended to provide a meaningful retirement benefit to employees who have chosen a career in public service. It’s a qualified tax-deferred plan under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a). The laws governing this retirement system are set forth in Utah Code Ann. Title 49.
Members who meet URS age and service requirements are eligible to receive a lifetime, monthly retirement benefit. A summary of plan provisions is listed in the table below.
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Public Employees Contributory System |
Public Employees Noncontributory System |
Public Safety System |
Firefighters System |
Judges System |
Governors & Legislators Plan | |
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Qualifications (years/age) |
30 yrs any age 20 yrs age 60¹ 10 yrs age 62¹ 4 yrs age 65 |
30 yrs any age 25 yrs any age¹ 20 yrs age 60¹ 10 yrs age 62¹ 4 yrs age 65 |
20 yrs any age 10 yrs age 60 4 yrs age 65 |
25 yrs any age 20 yrs age 55¹ 10 yrs age 62 6 yrs age 70 |
Governor 1 term/age 65 10 yrs/age 62¹ |
Legislator 4 yrs/age 65 10 yrs/age 62¹ | |
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Formula |
1.25% per yr to 6-30-75
2% per yr 7-1-75 to present |
2% per yr all years |
2.5% per yr up to 20 yrs
2% per yr over 20 yrs |
5% 1st 10 yrs
2.25% 2nd 10 yrs 1% over 20 yrs |
$500² per mo per term |
$10² per mo for each yr of service | |
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Final Average Salary |
Highest 5 yrs |
Highest 3 yrs |
Highest 3 yrs |
Highest 2 yrs |
Not Applicable | ||
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Cost-of-Living (max) |
4% Simple4 |
4% Simple4 |
2.5% Simple4 |
4% Simple4 |
4% Compounded |
4% Simple4 | |
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Continuing Monthly Spousal Benefits |
Option 1– None Option 2– None, refund of unused contributions Option 3– Same monthly amount Option 4– ½ monthly amount Option 5– Same monthly amount3 Option 6– ½ monthly amount3
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Option 1– None Option 2– None, refund of unused contributions Option 3– Same monthly amount Option 4– ½ monthly amount Option 5– Same monthly amount3 Option 6– ½ monthly amount3 |
Option 1– 65% Public Safety Option 2– 75% Public Safety 75% Firefighters |
Option 1–65% Option 2–75% |
With 4 or more years 50% | ||
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Partial Lump-Sum Option (PLSO) |
One-time payment at retirement equal to 12 or 24 months of the monthly retirement benefit. Along with the PLSO the retirement benefit is actuarially reduced for the member’s lifetime. This pertains to ALL systems. | ||||||
1. Actuarial reduction.
2. The monthly benefit amount is increased semiannually by 2%.
3. If the member’s spouse dies before the member, the benefit reverts to the amount payable under Option 1.
4. Eligible after one year; percentage increase based on original benefit and change in CPI. Effective 7-01-08 public safety employers have the option to raise COLA from 2.5% to 4%.
*Firefighter disability retirees become eligible for the PLSO when their benefit converts to a service retirement.