Who is in PSRS
Membership is automatic for certificated employees of covered employers in a position that normally requires at least 17 hours a week on a regular basis and at least 600 hours during the school term. You can't opt out. 'Certificated' means holding a valid Missouri educator certificate from DESE (not just a substitute or Parents as Teachers certificate). Handbook p. 20, Membership Eligibility
Covered employers: All Missouri public school districts except the St. Louis (city) and Kansas City districts; all Missouri public two-year colleges; statewide non-profit educational associations that elected to join. Handbook p. 20, Membership Eligibility
You're vested, entitled to a future benefit, after 5 years of service. Handbook p. 26, Vested Membership
No tiers
None. The sources describe one benefit structure for all members. The only date-based rules are the 2.55% factor (retirements effective on or after September 1, 2023), the IRS pay limit (members who joined on or after July 1, 1996) and the FAS salary-cap percentages by school year. Handbook p. 47, Normal Retirement Benefits; p. 24, IRC limit; p. 47, Final Average Salary Cap
For 2026-2027 you pay 14.5% of your salary and your employer pays 14.5%, 29% in all. Handbook p. 23, Retirement Contributions; p. 24, Employer Pick-Up Contributions; Interest on Your Contributions
Not in PSRS: three other systems
The Kansas City and St. Louis city public school districts are not PSRS employers. Their teachers belong to separate systems with their own rules. This calculator and these guides don't apply to them.
| System | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| Public Education Employee Retirement System of Missouri (PEERS) | Non-certificated public school employees (and community college employees) who work 20 or more hours a week and are not contributing to PSRS. Certificated part-time employees can choose PEERS within 90 days of first part-time employment; the choice is irrevocable. Administered by the same Board and staff as PSRS but a separate system under separate law (RSMo 169.600-169.715).Handbook p. 20, Membership Eligibility; p. 14, Law Governing PSRS; ACFR 2025, p. 31 |
| Public School Retirement System of the School District of Kansas City (KCPSRS) | Kansas City public school district employees. The Kansas City district is not a PSRS-covered employer. KCPSRS has a reciprocity transfer agreement with PSRS and takes part in Missouri educational recognition of service. Statute: RSMo 169.270-169.400.Handbook p. 20, Membership Eligibility (covered employers exclude St. Louis city and Kansas City districts); p. 31, Reciprocity Transfer; p. 32, Missouri Educational Recognition of Service; RSMo 169.280 |
| Public School Retirement System of the City of St. Louis (PSRSSTL) | St. Louis (city) public school district employees. The St. Louis district is not a PSRS-covered employer. PSRSSTL takes part in Missouri educational recognition of service with PSRS (it is not on the reciprocity transfer list). Statute: RSMo 169.410-169.540.Handbook p. 20, Membership Eligibility; p. 32, Missouri Educational Recognition of Service; RSMo 169.420 |
PEERS in brief
PEERS has its own, smaller formula. These are facts from PSRS's annual financial report, for reference only. This site doesn't calculate PEERS benefits.
- PEERS normal retirement: age 60 with 5 years, 30 years, or Rule of 80; benefit factor 1.61%. ACFR 2025, p. 31, The Public Education Employee Retirement System of Missouri (PEERS)
- PEERS members qualifying under Rule of 80 or 30-and-out get an additional temporary 0.8% factor until minimum Social Security age (currently 62). ACFR 2025, p. 31, PEERS
- PEERS age-reduced benefits at age 55 with 5 years; a lesser factor for under-55 members with 25-29.9 years who don't meet the Rule of 80; PLSO three years past normal retirement. ACFR 2025, p. 31, PEERS
- PEERS members contributed 6.86% of covered salary in fiscal year 2025, matched by employers; the total rate may rise by no more than 0.5% of pay a year. ACFR 2025, p. 31, PEERS, Contributions
What the handbook says
- PSRS has one benefit formula for everyone. There are no tiers based on when you were hired.Handbook p. 46, Benefit Formula Components; p. 47, Normal Retirement Benefits
- PSRS covers certificated employees (with a DESE-issued Missouri educator certificate) who normally work at least 17 hours a week and 600 hours a school year. Membership is automatic and you can't opt out.Handbook p. 20, Membership Eligibility
- Non-certificated school staff are in PEERS, a separate system run by the same board. Certificated part-time employees can choose PEERS within 90 days of starting part-time work, and the choice is permanent.Handbook p. 20, Membership Eligibility
- Teachers in the Kansas City and St. Louis city public school districts aren't in PSRS. Those districts have their own systems: the Public School Retirement System of the School District of Kansas City and the Public School Retirement System of the City of St. Louis.Handbook p. 20, Membership Eligibility; p. 32, Missouri Educational Recognition of Service
- For 2026-2027 you contribute 14.5% of your salary and your employer contributes another 14.5%, for 29% in total. The Board sets the rate each year.Handbook p. 23, Retirement Contributions
Questions
Does PSRS have tiers?
No. PSRS has one benefit formula for everyone, whenever you were hired.
Am I in PSRS or PEERS?
PSRS covers certificated staff (with a Missouri educator certificate from DESE). Non-certificated school staff, such as aides, bus drivers and office staff, are usually in PEERS, a separate system run by the same board.
I teach in Kansas City or St. Louis. Is this for me?
Probably not. The Kansas City and St. Louis city public school districts aren't PSRS employers. Their teachers have their own retirement systems. This site covers PSRS only.
Source: PSRS Member Handbook, 2026-2027 (as of September 2026), pp. 14, 20, 23, 24, 26, 31, 32, 46, 47; ACFR 2025 p. 31; RSMo 169.280, 169.420. Last reviewed .