Member News

Getting married, managing health challenges or starting a new job often brings important decisions about your benefits. The VRS website is designed to help you stay informed, find the forms you need and make updates to your online accounts.

If You Marry, Divorce or Have a Child

Take these actions after life events like marriage, divorce or the birth or adoption of a child:

• Update Your Information: Log in to myVRS and your DCP Account, if applicable, to update your name, address or other personal details.
• Name a Beneficiary(s): Ensure your beneficiary designations are current in myVRS to direct benefits to the intended person. In addition to your VRS life insurance and your defined benefit, be sure to also name a beneficiary for each of your defined contribution accounts, if applicable, by logging in to your DCP Account and selecting Personal Information under your name in the top right corner.
• Read Divorce and Your VRS Benefits: Understand how divorce might affect your benefits, including what an Approved Domestic Relations Order (ADRO) is and how to submit one.

If Health Changes Occur

Health challenges or disabilities can affect your ability to work. It’s important to understand the benefits available to you:

• Virginia Sickness & Disability Program (VSDP): State employees in Plan 1, Plan 2, the Hybrid Retirement Plan, the State Police Officers’ Retirement System and the Virginia Law Officers’ Retirement System are automatically enrolled in VSDP, which provides income protection through disability benefits, leave options for personal needs and long-term care coverage.
• Virginia Local Disability Program (VLDP): For Hybrid Retirement Plan members in participating school divisions or political subdivisions, VLDP provides income protection if you can’t work because of an illness, injury or other condition, such as surgery or pregnancy. Benefits also include rehabilitation programs and long-term care coverage.
• VRS Disability Retirement: Available to eligible Plan 1 and Plan 2 school division and political subdivision employees who are unable to perform their job due to a permanent disability.
  NOTE

  State employees in Plan 1 with a membership date before January 1, 1999, who didn’t choose VSDP during the 1999 or 2002 open enrollments, are covered under VRS Disability Retirement.

• Voluntary long-term care insurance: Consider enrolling in the Commonwealth of Virginia Voluntary Group Long-Term Care Insurance Program now to ensure coverage for services like home health care, assisted living or nursing home care in the event that you need it.

If You Leave Employment

Leaving a VRS-covered position doesn’t mean your membership ends. In fact, keeping your money with VRS is often the best choice. By leaving your contributions in your account, you preserve your service credit, which may qualify you for a future monthly retirement benefit. This also ensures that your member contribution account continues to earn interest and remains part of your retirement plan. If you return to covered employment, your service credit will resume. Depending on your position, you may also be eligible to return to the plan that you were in.

While requesting a refund is an option, by doing so, you forfeit your eligibility for a future VRS retirement benefit and all service credit associated with your membership. Unless rolled over to a qualified retirement plan, refunds are subject to federal and state income taxes, and additional penalties may apply if you are under age 59½. If you return to VRS-covered employment, you will be rehired under the currently applicable retirement plan for that position.

Before deciding, log in to myVRS to review your account details and use the tools to estimate how leaving your money in the plan can benefit you over time. For more information, visit Leaving Employment.

Losing a Loved One

Know the resources available to your loved ones in the event of your death:

• Death-in-Service Benefits: Beneficiaries of active members may qualify for benefits, such as a lump-sum or monthly payment, as well as life insurance proceeds.
• Losing a Loved One Guide for Families: This guide provides steps for claiming benefits, including reporting a death, contacting Securian Financial regarding life insurance and submitting required documents like a death certificate. Keep a copy with your will and review it with loved ones to ensure they’re prepared.