Oregon PERS IAP Member Choice: Should You Change Your Target-Date Fund? If you’re an Oregon PERS member, September brings a retirement-planning opportunity that’s easy to overlook: the annual IAP Member Choice window. From September 1 through September 30, eligible members can choose a different target-date fund for their Individual Account Program (IAP). For elections made…
The 457(b) 3-Year Catch-Up Strategy: How Oregon Public Employees Can Potentially Defer Nearly $150,000 Before Retirement If you’re a public employee in Oregon getting close to retirement, there’s a little-known (and even less understood) strategy that can dramatically increase retirement savings and reduce taxes in your final working years. It’s called the 3-Year Special Catch-Up…
Oregon PERS by the Numbers 2025: 7 Key Takeaways for Members and Retirees If you’re an Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) member or retiree, headlines about pensions can feel confusing — and sometimes alarming. Each year, PERS publishes a report called PERS by the Numbers, and the 2025 edition offers valuable insight into how…
Oregon PERS Waiting Time Purchase: Is It Worth It? If you’re an Oregon PERS Tier One or Tier Two member getting serious about retirement, you may have noticed a line on your formal benefit estimate for “waiting time purchase.” It’s one of the most common Oregon PERS service purchases, and it can be a meaningful…
If you’re a public employee in Oregon planning your retirement, you’ve probably wondered: “Do my unused vacation hours count toward my pension?” The answer, like many things in the world of Oregon PERS, depends on which tier you’re in. Understanding how your Oregon PERS vacation payout is treated can help you avoid surprises and make…
Can You Keep Working After Oregon PERS Retirement? Here’s How It Works I hear from Oregon PERS members wondering: “Can I keep working after Oregon PERS retirement without it impacting my pension?” The short answer is yes—but with some important rules and caveats. In fact, I was just at my daughter’s school music performance a…
Is My Oregon PERS Pension Secure? You’re working hard, building your career in public service, and counting on your Oregon PERS pension to provide financial security in retirement. With so much uncertainty—economic shifts, policy changes, and media reports about pension shortfalls—it’s natural to wonder whether your retirement benefits are truly secure. Having worked with Oregon…
Where’s My Refund? Tax Planning for Retirees and Oregon PERS Members The question “Where’s my refund?” is on many of our minds as taxpayers search for answers and monitor their refund status. For retirees and members of the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), the tax landscape includes unique factors that can significantly influence…
How PERS Works in Oregon: A Comprehensive Guide for New Members Congratulations on your new role with an Oregon PERS employer! As a financial advisor with over a decade of experience serving Oregon PERS members, I’ve had the privilege of helping countless individuals navigate the complexities of this retirement system. If you’re confused, you’re not…
The Oregon PERS Tax Remedy: A Key Benefit for Tier 1 Members Working with many Oregon PERS retirees, I often get questions about the Oregon PERS tax remedy—especially from Tier 1 members. This post will break down the tax remedy, explain qualifications, and answer common questions about it. If you learn best by video, you…