Eighty Years of Serving Those Who Serve Others
The Virginia Retirement System began operations in 1942, replacing a fund for retired teachers that traced its origins to 1908. Early VRS membership was limited to teachers, school administration employees and state employees, though eligibility soon expanded to include employees of political subdivisions. Today, VRS is proud to serve 835 participating employers and nearly 755,000 members, retirees and beneficiaries.
“Celebrating 80 years of serving those who serve others emphasizes VRS’ continued commitment to members, retirees and beneficiaries,” VRS Director Patricia S. Bishop said. “We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and excited about all the ways we continue to innovate for the future.”
Through online planning resources, education opportunities and high-level customer service, VRS stands committed to providing holistic support throughout a member’s career and into retirement. In recent years, VRS has rolled out several advancements for our members and retirees:
- myVRS enhancements make managing benefits and accounts easier than ever, from updating beneficiaries online to changing your financial institution for your direct deposit.
- myVRS Financial Wellness tools and courses are regularly updated to help you build expertise and enhance your financial proficiency, no matter your knowledge level or learning style. Log in to myVRS and select Financial Wellness.
- Certified Financial Planning services from our partner MissionSquare Retirement offer guidance and support to help you feel confident about your financial security. Get started here.
- If you have questions about your benefits, you can now register online for a virtual one-on-one retirement counseling appointment.
As we commemorate eight decades of continuous service to members and retirees, you’ll notice the 80th anniversary insignia on our website, newsletters and on social media. Be sure to view an interactive timeline of key dates from our history.
