Other Employers

Common Questions and Issues for Employers

Alternative Retirement Plan Coverage

Iowa state law provides that employees of certain employers are IPERS-covered unless they decide to participate in an authorized alternative retirement plan sponsored by their employer. 

Eligible employees of the following employers may make an alternative retirement plan election as follows:

• Community Colleges. Eligible employees are IPERS-covered unless they elect to participate in an eligible alternative retirement plan.
• State Board of Regents. Eligible employees are IPERS-covered unless they elect to participate in a retirement system qualified by the Board that meets the criteria of Iowa Code section 97B.2. Many positions at the Regents institutions are not immediately eligible for the alternative plan coverage.
• Water Utilities. Eligible municipal water utility employees are IPERS-covered unless they elect to participate in an alternative plan authorized under Iowa Code chapter 412.

Each IPERS-covered employer that offers alternative plan coverage defines their own retirement plan election process. Regardless of your organization’s process, you will be IPERS-covered if you do not choose another plan within 60 days from the date of hire (or initial eligibility, if later).
 

Positions Eligible to Decline IPERS Coverage

The following employees may decline IPERS coverage within the first 60 days of employment. For many people, however, IPERS coverage may be the best alternative. If you decline IPERS coverage, your decision cannot be reversed.

• Employees hired by the Board of Regents, including state universities.
• Employees of community colleges.
• City managers.
• City administrators performing the duties of city managers.
• Legislators.
• Temporary legislative employees.
• Magistrates.
• Part-time elected officials.
• Elected officials paid on a fee basis.
• Elected officials of school districts.
• Elected officials of townships.
• Non-vested employees of levee and drainage districts.
• Employees of community action agencies.
• Members of the ministry, rabbinate or other religious orders who have taken a vow of poverty.
• Members of the Iowa Transportation Commission.
• Members of the Iowa Board of Parole.
• Members of the Iowa Health Facilities Council.
• Employees of the Board of Trustees of the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa.
• Employees of a municipal water utility or waterworks.

Adjunct Instructors

Adjunct instructors are not covered. However, if the adjunct is offered a continuing contract that requires the teaching load to exceed one-half time for two full semesters or three full quarters per calendar year, the instructor is no longer considered temporary, and now qualifies for required IPERS coverage.