Currently Troopers contribute 12% of salary into the West Virginia State Police Retirement Fund and as an employer the West Virginia State Police also contributes 12% of salary into the Fund. Members are not covered by Social Security.

In order to qualify for full retirement benefits, a member must be 55 years of age with 20 years of service, excluding military service. A member who is less than 55 years of age qualifies for reduced benefits as long as he or she has 20 or more years of credited service, excluding military service.

The annual retirement annuity adjustments will be 1.00% for regular retirement and will be payable on July 1 of each year after the member is 63 years of age.

DEATH BENEFITS

The benefits paid to the surviving spouse for a Service Related death are monthly payments in which the annual benefit is equal to 2/3 of the member's base salary during the last 12 months. A surviving spouse will also receive $100 per month for each dependent child. If there is no surviving spouse, or if the spouse remarries, each surviving dependent child will receive 25% of the spouse's benefit. If there is no surviving spouse or children, then the surviving dependent parents each receive 50% of what would have been paid to the spouse.

The benefits paid to the surviving spouse for a Non-Service Related death of a member with less than 20 years of service are monthly payments in which the annual benefit is equal to 50% of the member's annual base salary during the last 12 months. If the member had 20 years of service at the time of his/her death, the annual benefit will be 2/3 of what the member would have received if retirement had occurred just prior to death. If there is no surviving spouse, or the spouse remarries, each surviving dependent child will receive 25% of the spouse's benefit. If there is no surviving spouse or children, then the surviving dependent parents each receive 50% of what would have been paid to the spouse.

DISABILITY RETIREMENTS BENEFITS

There are provisions for non-service related disability, partial service related disability, and total service related disability retirement benefits. Specific questions regarding disability retirement benefits can be directed to the State of West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board at (304) 558-3570 or (800) 654-4406.

MILITARY BENEFITS

Any member of this retirement system who has at least 20 years service as a member of the State Police Retirement Fund who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States will receive credit for this service up to 5 years provided he or she is receiving no benefit from any other retirement system for his or her active military duty. This service does not affect eligibility to receive benefits, but is used in the benefit formula at the time of retirement.

OTHER BENEFITS

A member who terminates employment after 10 years of service (excluding military service), but prior to eligibility for normal retirement may withdraw his or her contributions. However, if the employee contributions are not withdrawn the member is eligible for deferred retirement benefits beginning at age 62. There are no retirement benefits for a member with less than 10 years of service. A member who terminates employment at any time may receive a refund of all contributions he/she has contributed into the retirement system with 4% interest after funds have been on deposit for at least one year. If you withdraw your contributions, you have no right to any retirement benefits under this retirement system.