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Procedural Overview

It is extremely important that all parties comply with the requirements below in order to avoid delays in processing a retirement benefit to a Participant and/or the Alternate Payee. This information is strictly limited to the Defined Benefit portion of your pension.

For information on the division of the Defined Contribution portion of your pension, please contact TIAA at www.tiaa.org or call (800) 842-2252.

Once a member is divorced, a copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce and Property or Marital Settlement Agreement should be sent to ERSRI for placement in the member’s file. The Alternate Payee or a lawyer can request the Participant’s pension information and it will be disclosed once ERSRI receives a release signed by the Participant or a Subpoena, or the information will be provided to the Participant. To obtain this information, please contact our Internal Legal Counsel at (401) 462-7616. Once a QDRO has been drafted, it must be sent to ERSRI for review. Please note that a Participant who is planning to retire will not be able to begin collecting a pension benefit until a QDRO is reviewed and approved by ERSRI.

After the QDRO has been reviewed and approved by ERSRI, confirming correspondence will be sent to the lawyer who originally submitted it. The QDRO must then be entered with the Court.

Once entered, a certified copy of the QDRO, along with a copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce and Property or Marital Settlement Agreement if it was not previously submitted, must be returned to ERSRI for placement in the Participant’s file to be implemented at the time of the Participant’s retirement, death, or other termination of service, or if the Participant is already retired, when the QDRO is received by ERSRI.

In addition, a new beneficiary nomination form must be completed by the Participant. The form must include the name of the former spouse as well as one or more beneficiaries and be consistent with the order. The beneficiary nomination forms are available on the ERSRI Forms page.

Procedural Overview

It is extremely important that all parties comply with the requirements below in order to avoid delays in processing a retirement benefit to a Participant and/or the Alternate Payee. This information is strictly limited to the Defined Benefit portion of your pension.

For information on the division of the Defined Contribution portion of your pension, please contact TIAA at www.tiaa.org or call (800) 842-2252.

Once a member is divorced, a copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce and Property or Marital Settlement Agreement should be sent to ERSRI for placement in the member’s file. The Alternate Payee or a lawyer can request the Participant’s pension information and it will be disclosed once ERSRI receives a release signed by the Participant or a Subpoena, or the information will be provided to the Participant. To obtain this information, please contact our Internal Legal Counsel at (401) 462-7616. Once a QDRO has been drafted, it must be sent to ERSRI for review. Please note that a Participant who is planning to retire will not be able to begin collecting a pension benefit until a QDRO is reviewed and approved by ERSRI.

After the QDRO has been reviewed and approved by ERSRI, confirming correspondence will be sent to the lawyer who originally submitted it. The QDRO must then be entered with the Court.

Once entered, a certified copy of the QDRO, along with a copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce and Property or Marital Settlement Agreement if it was not previously submitted, must be returned to ERSRI for placement in the Participant’s file to be implemented at the time of the Participant’s retirement, death, or other termination of service, or if the Participant is already retired, when the QDRO is received by ERSRI.

In addition, a new beneficiary nomination form must be completed by the Participant. The form must include the name of the former spouse as well as one or more beneficiaries and be consistent with the order. The beneficiary nomination forms are available on the ERSRI Forms page.

ERSRI Forms

DISCLAIMER

Model QDROs are available for use under the ERSRI Defined Benefit Pension Plan. These models were drafted to assist members and benefit recipients should a division of benefits become necessary. These models should not be construed as legal advice, and ERSRI assumes no responsibility or liability for any harm resulting from the use of these models. Refer to the Rhode Island General Laws governing ERSRI to understand options and benefits available to our members. Members and benefit recipients are encouraged to seek legal advice from a knowledgeable lawyer with any domestic relations matters affecting their benefit.

ERSRI is governed by Rhode Island General Laws and the Rules and Regulations promulgated by ERSRI board members. While ERSRI has made every effort to assure accuracy of information presented here, in the event of any conflict between this publication and the laws, rules and regulations, the laws, rules and regulations will prevail.

DISCLAIMER

Model QDROs are available for use under the ERSRI Defined Benefit Pension Plan. These models were drafted to assist members and benefit recipients should a division of benefits become necessary. These models should not be construed as legal advice, and ERSRI assumes no responsibility or liability for any harm resulting from the use of these models. Refer to the Rhode Island General Laws governing ERSRI to understand options and benefits available to our members. Members and benefit recipients are encouraged to seek legal advice from a knowledgeable lawyer with any domestic relations matters affecting their benefit.

ERSRI is governed by Rhode Island General Laws and the Rules and Regulations promulgated by ERSRI board members. While ERSRI has made every effort to assure accuracy of information presented here, in the event of any conflict between this publication and the laws, rules and regulations, the laws, rules and regulations will prevail.

Benefit Payment Options

At time of retirement, you have several benefit payment options to choose from:

Payment Option Amount Spouse / Beneficiary Amount Allowed to Switch Options One Time?
Service Retirement Allowance (SRA) (State, Teachers, COs, General MERS) Full benefit paid monthly to the member None No
Service Retirement Allowance (SRA) (Police and Fire only) Full benefit paid monthly to the member Spouse will receive 30% of your final salary plus 10% for each child under age 18 to a maximum family benefit of 50% so long as the surviving spouse does not remarry No
Option 1: Joint and Survivor 100% Reduced benefit Spouse or beneficiary receives same monthly benefit after member’s death Yes - to Option 2 or SRA
Option 2: Joint and Survivor 50% Reduced benefit Spouse or beneficiary receives 50% of the monthly benefit after member’s death Yes - to Option 1 or SRA
SRA Plus
(applies to Schedule A and AB only)		 Higher benefit prior to age 62. Reduced pension after 62. None No

You will receive your first pension payment, which will be retroactive to the date of your retirement, within two to three months. Your first payment will be direct deposited into your bank account.

Annual Pension Benefit Calculation

ERSRI multiplies your Service Credit Factor by your Final Average Salary to determine your annual pension benefit amount. Depending on your schedule, the maximum percentage of your Final Average Salary (FAS) you are able to receive as a service retirement benefit will be either 75% or 80%.

TIAA Beneficiary Designation

If you worked after June 30, 2012 for an employer participating in ERSRI and have funds on deposit with TIAA, please remember to update your TIAA beneficiary information as well. To change your beneficiary online, login to your TIAA account. If you need further assistance with your TIAA beneficiary designation, please contact TIAA at (800) 842-2252.

Accidental Disability Pensions - How much is an accidental disability pension benefit? - For State Employees and Teachers:

  • 50% Disability Benefit: State employees and teachers who are permanently and totally disabled from their current job, but are able to perform other work may be granted a benefit of 50% of their salary at retirement.
  • 66 and 2/3rd% Disability Benefit: State employees and teachers who are permanently and totally disabled from all work may be granted a benefit of 66 and 2/3rd% of their salary at retirement.

2021 GASB 68 Fund Information - GASB 68 Employer Reporting Accounting Schedules – Prepared By GRS

To view the report that corresponds with your MERS reporting unit please reference the Employer Report Reference Key. First find your current ERSRI Employer Unit Number(s) that you use when submitting data to ERSRI. In the column to the right of that number will be the Reserve Reporting Employer Unit Number that is used to identify your report prepared by GRS.

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