County of San Mateo PARS - ARS
General Information for Part-time, Seasonal and Temporary Employees

Introduction

A federal law, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA 90), requires that governmental employees who are not members of their employer’s existing retirement system be covered by Social Security or an alternate plan.

You are enrolled in an alternate plan called the Public Agency Retirement Services Alternate Retirement System (PARS-ARS). PARS-ARS satisfies federal requirements and provides cost savings compared to Social Security to you and your employer. Social Security requires that 12.4% of your salary be contributed each pay period; however, your PARS-ARS plan requires only a 7.5% contribution to your retirement account.

This information is a general description of what you can expect as a participant in PARS-ARS. The Plan Document provides a detailed description and contains all of the specific legal requirements of the plan. If this description states something that is different from the Plan Document, then the Plan Document will be followed, not this description. A copy of the Plan Document and Adoption Agreement is available for your inspection with your Employer.

Your PARS-ARS Account

Effective January 29, 1995 and thereafter:

1. Each pay period, 7.5% will be deducted from your salary and deposited into your PARS-ARS account.

2. Investment activity minus plan administrative expenses will be credited to your PARS-ARS account based upon your monthly account activity and will accumulate tax-free until your termination from the plan and the distribution of your account balance.

Designating a Beneficiary

1. If you die while you are employed, your account balance will be distributed to your beneficiary.

2. If you are married at the time of your death, your spouse is automatically your beneficiary. If you wish to designate someone other than your spouse as your beneficiary, you must do so in writing and your spouse must sign a spousal consent.

3. If you are unmarried at the time of your death, your account balance will be paid to your estate unless you have designated another beneficiary.

4. You may obtain a Beneficiary Designation Form from your employer or the PARS Trust Administrator.

Becoming Eligible for Benefits

1. You or your beneficiary will receive your PARS-ARS account balance after your employment ends for any of the following reasons:

    

   • Termination of Employment

   • Retirement

   • Death

   • Permanent and Total Disability

    

2. If you become eligible for another qualified retirement plan, your account balance must remain in PARS-ARS for twenty-four (24) months, after which you will be able to request distribution of your account balance.

Receiving your Account Balance

A PARS-ARS account balance statement is available at any time upon request from:

PARS Trust Administrator
PO Box 12919
Newport Beach, CA 92658
800.540.6360
949.823.9900 fax

1.  When your employer notifies PARS that your employment has ended, appropriate distribution forms will be sent to you. Within 90 days of PARS’ receipt of all necessary distribution forms, you will receive your account balance in a lump-sum distribution.

 

2.  You do not pay income taxes on your account as it accumulates. When you begin to receive benefits, the funds received become taxable income. If you choose to receive retirement benefits before age 59 ½, those funds may be subject to additional federal and state excise taxes. If your account balance exceeds $200, you may avoid excise taxes by directing PARS to transfer the balance of your PARS-ARS account to an IRA or another retirement plan (that accepts rollovers).