New Members

Welcome to the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island. Below are a few tips to get you started as a new member.

Understand your ERSRI Retirement Benefit

As a member of the Employees’ Retirement System, you’ll likely have a hybrid benefit plan made up of a Defined Benefit plan and a Defined Contribution plan. Click here to view the current member contribution rates.

(Note: Correctional Officers, State Police, and certain public safety employers only provide the Defined Benefit plan and do not participate in the Defined Contribution Plan pursuant to Rhode Island General Law.)

A Defined Benefit Plan is commonly known as a “pension.” This plan pays you a specific benefit amount each month when you retire, for your lifetime. These plans have formulas to determine how much you will receive each month, based on criteria such as how long you worked and your salary.

The Defined Contribution plan allows you to save money for your retirement in a tax-deferred account that is similar to a 401(k) plan. Both you and your employer are required to contribute a percentage of your salary to your Defined Contribution plan. TIAA invests these funds on your behalf and as you instruct and when you retire, you are able to begin withdrawing these funds. To learn more, visit the TIAA webpage.

TIAA Webpage

Register for an ERSRI Online Retirement Account

First time users can self-register online if you have an email address on file with ERSRI. For more information about how to register click the link below.

Account Login

Designate a Beneficiary

At the time of hire and following major life events, including marriage, divorce, births and deaths, all members should review the beneficiary information on their ERSRI retirement account to ensure that it is up-to-date. Use the link below to learn more about designating a beneficiary.

Beneficiary Designation

Review the Member Handbook

The ERSRI’s Membership and Retirement Handbook will help you navigate the features and benefits of your pension plan. The information in this handbook can be a valuable resource throughout your career in public service and when you are considering your retirement plans. Topics covered include service, contributions, retirement schedules and eligibility, service credit purchases, benefit options at retirement, and death and survivor benefits.

ERSRI Membership and Retirement Handbook
ERSRI Membership and Retirement Handbook

A guide of features and benefits in your pension plan.

Stay up to date

ERSRI mails our newsletter The Compass four to six times a year. Past issues can also be read online. In addition, the Office of the General Treasury issues an annual report that can be downloaded from this site.

See all publications

Still have questions?

The ERSRI Member Service Center is is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Contact us via the web using our Contact Us page link below or by phone at (401) 462-7600.

Contact Us