Part-Time Election

PURPOSE: This rule defines what is meant by “first employed” and “first such employment” as it relates to the part-time election offered to certain certificated members under section 169.712, RSMo, and sets forth the membership requirements of those members who elect membership in the Public Education Employee Retirement System and then undergo certain changes in their work or positions. (1) Effective January 1, 2022, for purposes of section 169.712.1, RSMo, “first employed” and “first such employment” means the first instance of certificated part-time covered employment for an individual who has never held Public School Retirement System (PSRS) membership. At the time of this employment, if a certificated person is employed less than full-time, but in a manner that would qualify him or her for membership in the Public Education Employee Retirement System of Missouri, such person shall become a member of the PSRS of Missouri and shall receive creditable service on a pro rata basis in that system. However, such person shall have the right to elect to become or remain a member of the Public Education Employee Retirement System of Missouri by filing an election within the time frame required by section 169.712.1, RSMo, and in the manner required by the board of trustees. Such election shall be irrevocable and apply to all subsequent eligible part-time certificated employment in the current and future memberships, unless and until such person becomes employed full-time while holding a certificate. In that event, such person shall become a member of the PSRS of Missouri for all subsequent full-time and part-time certificated employment in the current and future memberships. (2) Effective January 1, 2022, for purposes of section 169.712.2, RSMo, “first such employment” means the first instance of certificated part-time employment of at least seventeen (17) but less than twenty (20) hours per week on a regular basis with a public school as defined in section 169.010, RSMo, for an individual who has never held PSRS membership. At the time of this employment, such person shall become a member of the PSRS of Missouri and shall receive creditable service on a pro rata basis in that system. However, such person shall have the right to elect to become or remain a member of the Public Education Employee Retirement System of Missouri by filing an election within the time frame required by section 169.712.2, RSMo, and in the manner required by the board of trustees. Such election shall be irrevocable and apply to all subsequent eligible part-time certificated employment in the current and future memberships, unless and until such person becomes employed full-time while holding a certificate. In that event, such person shall become a member of the PSRS of Missouri for all subsequent full-time and part-time certificated employment in the current and future memberships. AUTHORITY: section 169.712, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed July 30, 2021, effective March 30, 2022. *Original authority: 169.712, RSMo 1991, amended 1993, 1997, 2003, 2005.