How is pension eligibility impacted by SLWOP?
• If any regular hours are worked in a calendar month, PERA grants service credit for the full month. If SLWOP is taken within five years of retirement, it may be advantageous to pay pension contributions to maintain the “high five” years average salary on which pension benefits are calculated. Payment of these contributions must be made no later than 12 months following the last day you use SLWOP for the year or within 20 days of terminating employment, whichever is earlier. To fully understand how your pension will be impacted if you use SLWOP, you are strongly encouraged to contact PERA at 651-296-7460. If you use SLWOP, are no longer using SLWOP for the current year, and want to pay ‘make up’ your missing employee contributions to PERA, contact the Benefits Unit at HR.Benefits@co.hennepin.mn.us to start the process. You will receive a bill from PERA for your required amount and, once you pay this, the County will pay the employer portion.
