• General Schedule regular, full-time employees covered under the VRS Hybrid Plan
• General Schedule regular, full-time employees covered under VRS Plan 1 or Plan 2
• General Schedule regular, part-time employees who are scheduled to work at least 20 hours, but less than 40 hours, per week

Changes are being made to the City of Alexandria’s Supplemental Retirement plan effective on January 1, 2026. 

The two changes are: 

• Impacts ALL Supplemental Plan Employees – Update the Required Beginning Date language to comply with Secure 2.0
• Impacts the City’s Sheriff and Deputy Sheriffs – Update the retirement eligibility to match the retirement eligibility under the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty Plan. 

Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) language to comply with Secure 2.0 – impacts ALL City of Alexandria Supplemental Plan Employees:

The required minimum distribution (RMD) age is increasing to bring the plan in compliance with the regulations required in Secure 2.0

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, signed into law on December 29, 2022, as part of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, contains over 90 provisions impacting the rules for employer-sponsored defined benefit (DB) plans.  The act requires that DB plans formally amend their plans by December 31, 2026. The table below summarizes the recent changes to the RMD age.

*The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act)

The proposed plan amendment includes language that would increase the RMD age and bring the Plan into compliance with the federal regulations as required in Secure 2.0.

Retirement eligibility under the Supplemental Retirement Plan for the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriffs: 

In January 2020 the City’s Deputy Sheriff’s began to participate in the Virginia Retirement System’s (VRS) Enhanced Hazardous Duty Plan.  One of the benefits of participating in the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty Plan is improved retirement eligibility under the VRS Plan. 

In the FY2026 Approved budget City Council funded an amendment to improve the Deputy Sheriff’s retirement eligibility under the Plan to match their retirement eligibility under the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty Plan. 

The proposed plan amendment would improve the Deputy Sheriffs’ and the Sheriff’s Normal Retirement eligibility to age 60 with 5 years of service or age 50 with 25 years. Deputy Sheriffs and the Sheriff would be eligible for Early Retirement at age 50 with 5 years of service. Participants choosing to retire under early retirement provisions will have their benefit actuarially reduced to be equivalent to the Plan. 

The attached chart compares the current retirement eligibility and updated retirement eligibility in the proposed amendment. 

If you have any questions about the plan changes please reach out to the City’s Pension Team at retirement@alexandriava.gov 

Virtual Retirement Workshops for Employees Retiring in the Next Two Years.

To view the recorded virtual VRS retirement workshop held on February 16, 2021 please click here. The presentation workbook can be found here. 

Webinars, Seminars, and Financial Planning Consultations with MissionSquare's team of Certified Financial Planners

MissionSquare the record keeper for the City 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and the Payroll deduct Roth IRA Plan offers education opportunities on a monthly basis. The webinars are conducted by MissionSquare’s team of Certified Financial Planners.

Please see the link below for all upcoming webinars that apply to all employees.

Click here to register.

Please see the link below for all upcoming webinars that apply to VRS Hybrid employees only. 

Click here to register. 

Please contact the Pension Administration Division if you have any questions retirement@alexandriava.gov

Be sure to obtain advance approval from your supervisor if you plan to attend a workshop during your schedule work hours.

Individual consultations for Hybrid Retirement Plan Members 
We are also offering Individual Appointments to review your account, make changes to your voluntary contributions, add beneficiary listings and answer your particular questions.

click here to register for an individual appointment

Jinen Viswakula can be contacted at (202) 759-7177

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact retirement@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3906, Virginia Relay 711.

Financial Planning Consultations available with Certified Financial Planner Steve Taylor. 
Steven Taylor
Phone: (866) 838 - 6661
Email: staylor@icmarc.org
Schedule an Appointment

• General Schedule regular, full-time employees covered under the VRS Hybrid Plan
• General Schedule regular, full-time employees covered under VRS Plan 1 or Plan 2
• General Schedule regular, part-time employees who are scheduled to work at least 20 hours, but less than 40 hours, per week

The retirement checklist provides information on steps you must follow to retire from the City retirement plans with estimated due dates.

The City provides retirement and disability retirement benefits under VRS for regular, full-time employees. The VRS web site, forms and publications may refer to other benefits that VRS provides to participating employers. However, the City does not participate in any benefits other than the ones described here.

IMPORTANT VRS INFORMATION

Beginning January 1, 2014, employees newly covered under the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) will be enrolled in new VRS Hybrid Retirement Plan (Hybrid Plan).  Benefits for current VRS members (Plan 1 and Plan 2) will remain the same.   Current Plan 1 and Plan 2 members do not need to take any action unless they are interested in voluntarily transferring to the Hybrid Plan.  Read for more details.

Forms and Publication 

• Applying for Service Retirement has instructions. The following forms needs to be completed to apply for a VRS retirement:
  • Application
  • Tax Withholding Form
  • Direct Deposit Form
    
    NOTE: Employees must submit these forms to the Pension Administration Division.
• Applying for Disability Retirement has instructions and the following forms that an employee needs to apply for a disability retirement from VRS:
  • Application
  • Explanation of Disability
  • Physician's Report
  • Employer Information
  • Tax Withholding
  • Direct Deposit Forms
    
    NOTE: Employees applying for a disability retirement should contact the Pension Administration Division as soon as possible.
• Designation of Beneficiary
  • Complete Part A on page one, but not Part B. In Part C, you may list individual beneficiaries or check box 8, but do not do both. If you choose box 8 you are requesting death benefits be paid according to state law. The instructions provide information how benefits are paid according to the law of Virginia. Mail your completed form to the Pension Administration Division in Room 1400, City Hall, mailbox 42.
  • Contact Human Resources if you wish to designate, or change the designation of, the beneficiary of your City life insurance benefit.
• VRS Handbook
  • Handbook for Plan 1 Members
  • Handbook for Plan 2 Members
  • Handbook for Hybrid Retirement Plan Members 

VRS Website 

• VRS website View information on the Member tab. You are able to view your personal information and create retirement estimates when you log onto myVRS.
• myVRS Navigator: guides to help you navigate and use the VRS website.

VRS Hybrid Retirement Plan Deadline Approaching
Employees can change voluntary contributions each month.

If you want to make changes, click here.

Documents 

• Plan Document as of January 1, 2014
  • First Amendment - adopted by City Council on May 4, 2017
  • Second Amendment - adopted by City Council on May 3, 2018
  • Third Amendment - adopted by City Council on January 15, 2019
• Plan Document as of January 1, 2009
  • First Amendment - adopted by City Council on June 9, 2009
  • Second Amendment - adopted by City Council on Jun 22, 2010
  • Third Amendment - adopted by City Council on May 10, 2011
  • Fourth Amendment - adopted by City Council on June 16, 2012  

Beneficiary Designation 

Special IRS Tax Notice

Empower Retirement (formerly Prudential)

Empower administers the Supplemental Retirement Plan. Employees may visit the Empower website to calculate retirement benefits and to view information on retirement planning.

• Empower Website and creating pension estimates
• Retirement Education provides information on retirement planning and investing.

For help with registering and using the Empower website, contact :

Empower
1.877.778.2100
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. 

Board Meeting Schedule 

The Pension Plan Board holds meetings throughout the year in City Hall, 301 King Street, in the room indicated below. Meetings are open to the public. During Due Diligence Meetings, the Board focuses on reviewing investment reports of the pension and disability funds. These meetings may last three hours or longer. Interim meetings may be shorter and often include educational presentations. The Board may consider other issues brought to their attention at any meeting.

Board Meeting Minutes (Notes) 

• January 8, 2025 - This meeting was canceled.
• February 5, 2025 - Supplemental Board Minutes
• March 13, 2025 - Supplemental Board Minutes
• April 2, 2025 -  Supplemental Board Minutes
• May 7, 2025 -  This meeting was canceled
• June 12, 2025 - Supplemental Board Minutes
• July 11, 2025 - Minutes will be posted once approved by the Board
• August 6, 2025 - This meeting was canceled
• September 12, 2025 - Minutes will be posted once approved by the Board
• October 1, 2025 - This meeting was canceled
• November 5, 2025 - This meeting was canceled
• December 11, 2025 - Minutes will be posted once approved by the Board

 Minutes from Prior Meetings 

Investment Policy Statement (IPS) 

The Supplemental Retirement Board is responsible for the investments of the Plan.  Click  HERE  to see the current Investment Policy Statement.

The City is now providing employees an additional way to save for retirement. Employees who enroll in a Payroll Deduction Roth IRA account with MissionSquare will be able to make contributions to that Roth IRA account using payroll deductions. For more details click on the following.

• Details on the Payroll Roth IRA
• Brochure on the Payroll Roth IRA

The City sponsors the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan) with MissionSquare to help employees save for retirement. A 457 plan is a savings plan available to state and local government employees that allows an employee to save through payroll-deducted contributions on a pre-tax basis. This means the contributions are deducted from the paycheck before federal and state taxes are withheld and the amount of taxable income is reduced by the amount of the contribution. Earnings also accumulate on a tax-deferred basis. Taxes are paid on contributions and interest when money is withdrawn.

For those just starting out, payroll-deducted contributions can be as little as $10 per pay period and up to the annual deferral limit for the year. The Internal Revenue Service determines the maximum deferral limit each year.

Log onto the MissionSquare web site, to view your account information, information on the funds, and to learn about investing. You will need to use the City Plan Number, 300832, the first time you log onto the website.

To request an Enrollment Kit, email: retirement@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3906.

Online Enrollment. 

Changing Your Contribution 

If you want to change your contribution amount to the new deferral limit, or make any other change to your contribution amount, you will need to complete a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Amount of Deferral Change Form. Complete the form with your new contribution amount and send it to:

Pension Administration Division
100 N Pitt Street, Suite 225

 

Catch-Up Options 

Employees have two opportunities to catch-up on contributions that they did not make in the past.

• Age-50 Catch-Up: Any employee who turns 50 or older during the year is eligible.
• Pre-Retirement Catch-up: Available to employees who are eligible to retire within the next three years with an unreduced retirement benefit. The amount that you may actually contribute under this provision is determined by subtracting the actual amount you have already contributed from the maximum allowed. This provision is complicated for employees who wish to defer some or all of their leave payout at retirement.
  For more information on the Pre-Retirement Catch-Up and deferring leave payout, contact:

Pension Administration Division
100 N Pitt Street, Suite 225
703.746.3906

The booklet 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Catch-Up Provision Packet provides more information on the Age-50 Catch-up and the Pre-Retirement Catch-up provisions.

MissionSquare Representative and Investor Relations 

The City's MissionSquare representatives, Antoinette Guy-Wharton and Shantel Washington, are available to meet employees to discuss the 457 Plan. They will make appointments to meet employees at their locations or over the phone. To arrange a meeting or talk about the plan, call:

Antoinette Guy Wharton
1.866.283.1762
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Email

Shantel Washington
1.202.759.7172
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Email

For answers to questions or assistance with using the website call:

Investor Relations
1.800.669.7400
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Forms and Publications 

• Forms and Publications (City Plan Number 300832)

• Social Security Wage Base table
• Social Security Online 

• Why am I receiving a W-2 if I am a City Retiree? This information applies to retirees who have City life insurance benefits.
• Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Retiree Web Page
• Contact Information for the City pension retirement and 457 Deferred Compensation plans.
  • Contact VRS at 1.888.827.3847 Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. if you have questions on your monthly VRS benefit, 1099s (year end tax information), to change your address or tax withholdings, or to report the death of a retiree or beneficiary receiving a monthly pension from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS).
  • Contact Empower Retirement at 1.877.778.2100 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. if you have questions on your monthly Supplemental Retirement Plan benefit, 1099s (year end tax information), to change your address or tax withholdings, or to report the death of a retiree or a beneficiary receiving a monthly pension from the Supplemental Retirement Plan (often called the City Plan). Empower is the administrator for employees who retired on or after July 1, 1997.
  • Contact Principal at 1.800.247.7011 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. if you have questions on your monthly Principal benefit, 1099s (year end tax information), to change your address or tax withholdings, or to report the death of a retiree or beneficiary receiving a monthly pension from Principal. Principal is the administrator of the Supplemental Retirement Plan for employees who retired prior to July 1, 1997.
  • Contact MissionSquare at 1.800.669.7400 from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. to inquire about the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees had the option of participating in this plan by making payroll-deducted contributions.
  • Contact the City Pension Administration Division at 703.746.3885 for further information on the retirement plans.
• Contact the Human Resources Benefits and Records Division at 703.746.3785 for inquiries on health and life insurance benefits. You may also find information on those benefits on their web site.