Empower’s Plan Service Center (PSC) is your central hub for plan administration, resources, and tools designed to help you complete tasks accurately and efficiently. In the PSC, you can:

• Visit the Action Center to help you stay on top of outstanding tasks.
• Use the Case Management Tool to submit common plan requests and check the status of open cases.
• Navigate to the Participants menu to search for and manage your employees’ information.
• Process Payroll to submit wage and contribution information.
• View Reports to identify opportunities for targeted education and engagement to improve retirement outcomes.
• Manage Plan Contacts to ensure the right people at your municipality have the system access they need.

Watch this PSC Overview to learn more about the key features available online.

1. Employer reports eligible employee 
   When an employee becomes eligible to participate in the MERS 457 Program (whether they wish to contribute to the plan or not), report the employee to Empower through the payroll process in the Plan Service Center (PSC).
2. Employee receives instructions to enroll
   MERS recordkeeper Empower will send the employee communications encouraging them to enroll in the program. If you added an email address, the employee will receive electronic communications. If there is no email address on file, the employee will receive a postcard at their home address.
3. Employee enrolls and creates their online account
   The employee visits empower.com/MERS and selects “Register” to create their online account. They will be asked to verify their account (enter SSN, date of birth, and zip code), add their contact information (personal email and mobile phone number), and create a username and password. Then, the employee will be able to complete their enrollment by selecting their contribution rate and investments.You will receive a notification with the employee’s contribution election, enabling you to adjust payroll withholding accordingly. An email notification will be sent every Monday morning that summarizes requests submitted by your employees. These changes are also available on the “To-Do” list inside the Plan Service Center (PSC).
4. Employee receives ongoing communications from MERS and Empower
   The newly enrolled employee will receive a confirmation of enrollment, followed by ongoing communications about the best next steps (designate beneficiaries, download the Empower app, etc.) to help them make the most of their plan.

 Participant Handbook

In the MERS 457 Program, employees can start, stop, or change their contributions at any time.

All contribution changes must be initiated by the employee via their online account at empower.com/MERS or by calling the MERS team at Empower at 833.500.6377. You may share this guide with your employees to help them change their voluntary contributions.

When an employee changes their voluntary after-tax contributions, you will receive a notification with updated information, enabling you to adjust payroll withholding accordingly. An email notification will be sent every Monday morning that summarizes requests submitted by your employees. These changes are also available on the “To-Do” list inside the Plan Service Center (PSC).

View IRS-established retirement plan contribution limits and reporting data (pdf) for the current year.

Employees may be allowed to make extra “catch-up” contributions. There are three types (only one type can be used in a given year):

• Special Catch-Up Contributions: If the employee is within three years of retirement age, they can contribute an additional amount for the years they didn’t contribute the maximum. The maximum catch-up contribution is the less of the normal contribution limit + previously unused deferrals OR two times the normal contribution limit.
• “Age 50” Catch-Up Contributions: During the calendar year the employee turns 50 or older, they can contribute an additional amount annually (amount determined by the IRS and can be found in our Retirement Plan Contribution Limits and Reporting Data chart.
• “Age 60-63” Catch-Up Contributions: If the employee is age 60-63 (ends the calendar year they turn 64), they can contribute the greater of $10,000 OR 150% of the age 50 catch-up dollar amount for that year.

For assistance, employees may contact the MERS team at Empower at 833.500.6377.

If a participant in your municipality’s plan is deceased, please contact the MERS team at Empower by calling 833.500.6377.

If known, please provide the following information:

• Participant’s name
• Social Security number
• Date of death
• Family contact information

An original or certified copy of the death certificate must be submitted to Empower.

One of the most important things employees can do for themselves and their families is to name a beneficiary. Equally important is to make sure beneficiary information remains up-to-date. Employees can name their beneficiaries and update contact information through their online account at empower.com/MERS.

If an employee does not wish to go online to make changes, they may contact the MERS team at Empower by calling 833.500.6377 to obtain a Beneficiary Designation form. You may also access the form by signing in to the Plan Service Center (PSC) and navigating to “Participants” and “Employee forms.” Then, select “Beneficiary Designation.”

Disability, whether duty or non-duty related, is defined as a physical or mental impairment rendering an employee permanently incapable of performing gainful activity for which they are suited. If an employee ends employment due to a disability, they will have access to pre-tax, employer, and Roth contributions.

To request a distribution, the employee must obtain a signed letter verifying his or her qualification under the Internal Revenue Code definition of disability, Section 72(m)(7), from his or her physician. When the employee has received this document, they will need to submit it, along with a completed Disability Withdrawal Request form, to MERS’ recordkeeper, Empower. This form is available through the employee’s online account or by contacting the MERS team at Empower by calling 833.500.6377.

Empower will follow up with any additional instructions or documentation needed to complete the review process.

Your MERS Regional Team

Our staff are dedicated to helping you make the most out of your plan.

• Benefit Plan Advisor: Assists you with implementing MERS high-quality, cost-effective solutions and serves as a liaison between employers, boards, unions, and consultants throughout the decision-making process.
• Regional Manager: Meets with you to provide consultation regarding plan administration, collective bargaining assistance, governing body education, and plan and benefit changes.
• Benefit Plan Coordinator: Facilitates implementation of plan changes and everyday service needs.
• Benefit Education Specialist: Provides education to your employees to help them understand the MERS plan(s) you offer and prepare for their retirement.

Our Recordkeeper Empower

MERS works with Empower to provide you with access to the Plan Service Center (PSC), your central hub for plan administration, resources, and tools designed to help you complete tasks accurately and efficiently. Throughout the site, you’ll find helpful how-to videos and guides.

If you need assistance, we encourage you to create a case. This will ensure your request goes to the team that can best serve you. Learn more about the case types or watch the video on how to submit cases.

Need help logging in? First, check with the person at your municipality who manages plan contacts to ensure you have been granted access. Then, call 800.840.3272 and ask for “PSC Support.”