FAQs
Member FAQs
How do I join OPPRS?
Prior to your actual employment as a full-time duly appointed police officer, your employer will coordinate with you to complete and submit the required physical examination and application for membership. Formal membership is approved by the Board of Trustees at one of their monthly meetings.
How much do I contribute to OPPRS?
Members are statutorily required to contribute eight percent (8%)of their paid base salary while their employers contribute a corresponding thirteen percent (13%).
Can I borrow against or make a withdrawal from my account?
Members can not withdraw any monies from their retirement accounts while actively participating with OPPRS. Only members that have separated employment and ceased active participation with OPPRS are permitted to elect a refund of contributions.
Can I designate a beneficiary?
Members cannot designate a specific beneficiary for their monthly retirement benefit. OPPRS Statute governs who is eligible for survivorship benefits. Generally, this is a surviving spouse or child/children under the age of 18, and additional special rules may apply. However, retiring members that elected to participate in the Deferred Option Plan (including the Back Drop Provision) may designate a specific beneficiary for their Deferred Option Plan account balance(valid from date of retirement election through the date of account balance distribution)
How do I view my account details online?
Members should create their online accounts by clicking on the MemberDirect link on our home page and following the enrollment instructions. Once enrolled, members can view their demographic information, employment and payroll history, generate retirement estimates, and view payment advices and tax documents
Can I get OPPRS credit for other types of service?
Yes. OPPRS recognizes certain other types of service, such as prior military service and participation in other Oklahoma state, county, or municipal retirement systems. Contact OPPRS for more information about these various types of service purchase options.
How does divorce affect my retirement account?
Retirement accounts, such as your OPPRS account, are typically subject to the marital property divisions of divorce. If an ex-spouse is to receive part of a member’s retirement account and/or benefit, then a valid Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) must be issued by an Oklahoma court of competent jurisdiction. Since these divisions are often negotiated, it is best to contact OPPRS to discuss the specific terms of your divorce and how they may impact your retirement account.
When am I eligible to retire?
Members that separate service with at least ten (10) years of service credit may elect a vested retirement benefit that will begin on the date when the member reaches age fifty (50) or the date the member would have otherwise attained twenty (20) years of service credit, whichever is later.
How is my retirement benefit calculated?
Your monthly retirement benefit is calculated by multiplying your Final Average Salary by your Years of Credited Service (rounded to the nearest month) by a 2.5% multiplier. For example, the calculation for a member retiring with twenty (20) years and six (6) months of service credit and a Final AverageSalaryof $5,000 per month would be: $5,000 x 20.5 x 2.5% = $2,562.50.
How do I change my address/tax withholding/deduction(s)/direct deposit information?
OPPRS requires that the appropriate change form be submitted to make any updates to a member’s account. These forms are available under the Forms link on our homepage.
When do I receive my retirement payment(s)?
Members can expect to receive their first retirement payment at the end of the month following their retirement date. For example, if your retirement date is February 15th, then your first retirement payment would be issued on March 31st. Same is true for Deferred Option Plan account distributions.
How do I get a copy of my direct deposit advice and/or 1099-R tax document?
Members have 24/7 access to their retirement accounts, including statements, payment advices, and tax documents through MemberDirect. Members may also request these and other documents by contacting OPPRS.
Can I use previous military time toward my retirement?
You can purchase previous military time at the actuarially assumed purchase price. This time has be within periods that are considered “war time” or the current periods like Operation Enduring Freedom. If you purchase this time it does not count toward your years of service for retirement purposes. It only gives you an increase in your monthly benefit amount.
I don’t fully understand my form 1099-R, can you explain some of the fields?
Follow the link here to get a full explanation of the tax statement you will receive from OPPRS. This document also includes a list of frequently asked questions related to form 1099-R.
Employer FAQs
How does my municipality join OPPRS?
The governing body of an eligible employer must approve a resolution to join and affiliate with the OPPRS. Once approved, the action must be published in a local/county newspaper for two consecutive weeks. Once published, copies of the action and publishing along with an official request from the municipality should be sent to OPPRS for approval by the Board of Trustees. The employer’s membership will become irrevocable upon approval and will take effect on the 1st of the month immediately following approval.
What are the membership eligibility requirements for police officers?
Newly hired full-time duly appointed police officers paid for working more than twenty-five (25) hours per week must be at least twenty-one (21) and not more than forty-five (45) years of age when accepted for initial OPPRS membership. Former participating members may rehire and rejoin OPPRS at any age. Membership exception for police chief. There are no physical/medical requirements for OPPRS membership.
Do participating police officers have any employment protections?
OPPRS members that do not otherwise have a civil service/merit board of review, or a negotiated contract (union contract) covering discharge of members and their right to appeal, will have the opportunity to appeal any discharge to a board of review established by their participating employer as provided by 11 O.S. § 50-123.
How do I enroll a new police officer in OPPRS?
Prior to the police officer’s actual employment as a full-time duly appointed police officer, you will need to coordinate the completion and submission of the required physical examination and application for membership with the police officer. Formal membership is approved by the Board of Trustees at one of their monthly meetings. The application (Form 100) and physical (Form 114) are available under the Forms link on our homepage.
What are the contribution rates for OPPRS participation?
Members are statutorily required to contribute eight percent (8%) of their paid base salary while their employers contribute a corresponding thirteen percent (13%).
How do I submit member payroll information and contributions?
Employers will submit a detailed report that contains its name, payroll dates, and list the names, SSN’s, paid base salaries, and contribution amounts for each participating member. Each report/contribution payment must be submitted to OPPRS within ten (10) days of the ending of each reported payroll.
How do I report unpaid leave for a member?
Any time a member has unpaid leave, the employer should submit an Employment Status Change form (Form 118) that provides the date(s) of and reason(s) for the unpaid leave as soon as possible. This is required to maintain accurate service credit records for each member.
How do I report a member’s separation of employment?
Any time a member separates employment, the employer should submit an Employment Status Change form (Form 118) that provides the date of separation as soon as possible. This is required to maintain accurate service credit records for each member and to process a member’s potential refund or retirement payment.