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An individual who has worked with the Government of the Virgin Islands and has paid contributions for ten (10) years to the Government Employees' Retirement System is considered a vested member of the System.
Yes. This can be obtained from your Department/Agency Personnel Office.
Yes. However, a minor child cannot claim the benefits until age 18 or unless a court appointed guardian claims the benefits on behalf of the minor child.
Tier I 10 years maximum if vested prior to September 25, 2001.
3 years maximum after September 25, 2001.
Tier II 3 years maximum
Yes. There is a cost under both Tiers.
Regular: 30 years of service regardless of age ;
10 years of credited service and at least 60 years of age.
Safety/Hazardous: 20 years of service notwithstanding age; or
10 years of credited service and at least 55 years of age.
Driver’s License,Voter’s I.D or Passport
Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate
Social Security Card
Copy of Retirement Letter
* For beneficiary purposes, provide person (s):
Name
SSN
Date of Birth
Mailing Address
It may be credited toward your years of service provided that GERS receives the required employee and employer contributions.
Legislation enacted to assist in reducing the System’s unfunded liability over time.
A level of benefits provided to a member based on date of employment.
Members hired prior to October 1, 2005.
Members hired on or after October 1, 2005.
Yes. Service may be combined with another branch of Government service;
ie: Legislative and Executive Branch service combined.
It is required by law according to the IRS code which has been adopted by the Virgin Islands.
An annual increment may be approved by the Board. It is a percentage granted to eligible retirees (age 60 and on the retiree payroll for one year) every July 15th. The COLA is a specific amount or percent- age added to initial annuity or paid as a bonus. A COLA may be appropriated by the Legislature from time to time.
A member may submit a Detailed Earnings Statement from the Social Security Administration.
Tier I
Police officer
Lineman or operator; (eligible employee of the VI WAPA)
Eligible employee working with chlorine, sewage or carcinogens
Firefighter, including fire fighters working for the V.I. Port Authority
Marshal working for the Superior Court
Corrections officer
Radiology technician
X-ray technician
Emergency medical technician
Peace officer as defined in Title 5, Sec. 3561, VI
Tier II
Firefighter, including a fireman or police officer employed by V.I. Port Authority
Marshal of the Supreme or Superior Court
Correction officer or combination thereof
*** All other categories are not included
An actuarial equivalent reduction of a members retirement annuity payable to a surviving beneficiary, if the member at the time of retirement elects a 50 % or 100% Joint Survivor Annuity.
A member can revoke or change the election of optional benefits at any time before the effective date of retirement or after the effective date and prior to the making of the first payment on account of any retirement allowance.
Duty-Connected death is death in service as a direct result of the performance of duty, provided the death was not the consequence of willful misconduct of the member.
Tier I:
Annuity of 40% of salary in effect on date of death for the surviving spouse, plus 10% of salary for each child up to age 18 to a maximum family benefit of 60% of salary. If no surviving spouse, 10% of salary is payable on behalf of each child under age 18 to a maximum family of 50%. If no surviving spouse or children, each dependent parent is entitled to 25% of salary.
Tier II:
Annuity of 28% of salary in effect on date of death for the surviving spouse, 7% of salary for each child up to age 18 (or 23 if a college student) to a maximum family benefit of 42% of salary. If no surviving spouse, 7% of salary is payable on behalf of each child under age 18 to a maximum family of 35%. If no surviving spouse or children, each dependent parent is entitled to 17.5% of salary.
Yes. The GERS offers Duty Disability and Non-Duty Disability benefits for qualified members.
Vested Interest is the member’s last salary plus the total amount of contributions paid to the system.
Beneficiaries are entitled to the difference between the member’s vested interest and the total amount of annuity payments received from the system.
A retiree may work for the government for 75 working days per year without affecting his/her annuity. He or she may also work full-time for the private sector without affecting his/her retirement annuity.
Note: Members retiring under Tier II, may not return to work with the V. I. Government for any period of time without affecting his/her annuity.
Direct Deposit is a requirement for the GERS. However, an individual may sign a hardship waiver to not elect direct deposit for particular reasons such as Geographical Barrier (outside of USA), Physical/Mental Disability Barrier, or an Annuity of less than $100.00.
Yes. Any individual entering government service for the first time that has attained age fifty-five (55) may elect or not elect, in writing, to become a member of the GERS.
Yes. Disabled members receive an 1.0% incremental increase after completing a full year on the Retirees’ Payroll regardless of their age. Upon attaining age 60, this benefit is adjusted to reflect a 1.5% increase.
No. You may choose not to have federal income tax withheld from your annuity payment by indicating such on the W4-p form and submitting the signed form to our office. Please note that if you choose not to have taxes withheld, you may be required to make other arrangements with the Internal Revenue Bureau to make payments. Please contact a tax advisor or the Internal Revenue Bureau for further information.
Note: If you do not complete Form W4-P, taxes must be withheld from your annuity as if you are married with 3 dependents.
Annuity checks are paid on the 15th and the last day of each month.