Hybrid refunds
- Joined before July 1, 2012: Fewer than 5 years: all your contributions and interest. 5 or more years: also an additional 50% of your Hybrid Plan contributions and interest (excluding contributions to upgrade or purchase Hybrid service).
- Joined after June 30, 2012: Fewer than 10 years: all your contributions and interest. 10 or more years: also an additional 20% of your Hybrid Plan contributions and interest (excluding contributions to upgrade or purchase Hybrid service).
Hybrid Q&A brochure (2012) Q7; ERS annual report 2024 p. 13 and p. 18, Refund Benefit
Interest: 4.5% a year if you joined before July 1, 2011, 2% if after June 30, 2011. Hybrid Q&A brochure (2012) Q5; Leaving Employment, Hybrid (2012) Q5
| Joined | Years | Extra | Refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before July 2012 | 3 | $0 | $30,000 |
| Before July 2012 | 8 | $15,000 | $45,000 |
| After June 2012 | 8 | $0 | $30,000 |
| After June 2012 | 12 | $6,000 | $36,000 |
From our calculator. Money you paid to buy or upgrade Hybrid service doesn't get the extra.
What a refund costs you
A refund forfeits all credited service and any future retirement benefit. For Hybrid contributions the forfeiture is permanent: refunded Hybrid service cannot be bought back if you return. ERS Members FAQ page, 'I received a letter from my deferred compensation plan'; Leaving Employment, Hybrid (2012) Q6 and Q8
Only at retirement (as a refund option) or when you are not employed in a position requiring ERS membership. Members cannot borrow from contributions, and contributions cannot be stopped or increased while employed. ERS Members FAQ page, 'Can I borrow upon or withdraw my ERS contributions?' and 'Can I increase the amount of retirement contributions?'
Rollover to an IRA avoids withholding; paid to you, at least 20% of the taxable portion is withheld. Under age 55 an additional 10% federal tax applies to the taxable portion unless rolled over. The refund is not subject to State of Hawaii income tax. Leaving Employment, Hybrid (2012) Q6-Q7
Leaving your money in
If not vested, contributions left with the ERS earn 4.5% or 2% interest. Returning within 4 calendar years after the year you leave keeps your service and original membership date; after that you keep the service but get a new membership date. Contributions are held until you request a refund or reach age 62. Leaving Employment, Hybrid (2012) Q5
If you're vested, you can start a pension when you meet the age rule. Hybrid, joined before July 1, 2012: vested at 5 years. Joined after June 30, 2012: 10 years. Hybrid handout (Oct. 2026) p. 3, Service Retirement Eligibility Requirements (membership date prior to July 1, 2012: Age 62 w/5 yos, Age 55 w/30 yos; early Age 55 w/20 yos; multiplier 2.0%; vesting 5 yos; AFC average of 3 highest years of gross pay); Hybrid handout (Oct. 2026) p. 3, Service Retirement Eligibility Requirements (membership date after June 30, 2012: Age 65 w/10 yos, Age 60 w/30 yos; early Age 55 w/20 yos; multiplier 1.75%; vesting 10 yos; AFC average of 5 highest years of base pay)
ACFR says a deferred pre-2012 Hybrid member's allowance is payable 'as early as age 55' (with 20 years, reduced) or at 62 with 5-19 years. Our calculator treats deferred Hybrid members like active ones; whether the 30-years-at-55 unreduced rule also applies after leaving is not stated for Hybrid.
What would settle it: HRS §88-331 text or the Leaving Employment handout for Hybrid with a deferred exampleNoncontributory members
Noncontributory members make no contributions, so there is nothing to refund. Leaving before 10 years forfeits the service, but returning to work by December 31 of the year after the year you leave keeps it. Noncontributory Q&A brochure (2009) Q3 and Q6 If you're vested and leave before 62: Vested and left State or County service before age 62: age 65 with 10 years, age 55 with 30 years, or age 55 with at least 20 but less than 30 years with a 6% age reduction for each year between age 55 and 62. Noncontributory handout (Oct. 2026) p. 3, Deferred (Vested and left State or County service prior to age 62)
If you die after leaving
Vested former Hybrid members who die after leaving: contributions and interest plus 20% or 50% (by membership date) of Hybrid contributions and interest. Not vested: contributions and interest only. Leaving Employment, Hybrid (2012) Q11
From the sources
- If you leave a job and take a refund, you forfeit all your service. Refunded Hybrid service can never be bought back.Leaving Employment, Hybrid (2012) Q6 and Q8
- Hybrid refund: your contributions and interest, plus an extra 50% of your Hybrid contributions and interest with 5 or more years (membership before July 1, 2012). After June 30, 2012 membership, the extra is 20% with 10 or more years.Hybrid Q&A brochure (2012) Q7
- Contributions earn 4.5% interest if your membership date is before July 1, 2011, or 2% if it is after June 30, 2011.Hybrid Q&A brochure (2012) Q5
- If you are vested and leave your contributions in, you can draw a pension when you reach the age requirement. If you are not vested and return within 4 calendar years after the year you leave, you keep your service and original membership date.Leaving Employment, Hybrid (2012) Q4-Q5
- A refund paid to you has at least 20% of the taxable part withheld. A direct IRA rollover avoids the withholding. The refund is not subject to Hawaii income tax.Leaving Employment, Hybrid (2012) Q6-Q7
- Noncontributory members make no contributions, so there is no refund. Leaving before 10 years forfeits the service unless you return by December 31 of the following year.Noncontributory Q&A brochure (2009) Q3 and Q6
Questions
Can I get my money back if I leave?
Hybrid and Contributory members can take a refund of their contributions and interest once they're no longer in a job that needs ERS membership. Noncontributory members paid nothing in, so there's nothing to refund.
What do I lose with a refund?
All your service and any future pension. Refunded Hybrid service can never be bought back.
What if I'm vested?
Leave your money in and you can start a pension when you meet the age rule. Hybrid members vest after 5 years (10 if they joined after June 30, 2012).
Is the refund taxed?
Federal tax applies to the taxable part, with at least 20% withheld unless you roll it over. Hawaii doesn't tax the refund.
Source: Hawaii ERS Hybrid Retirement Information, October 2026, p. 3. Also: Hybrid Q&A brochure (2012) Q5, Q7; ERS annual report 2024 pp. 13, 18; Leaving Employment, Hybrid (2012) Q4-Q5, Q5, Q6, Q6-Q7, Q8, Q11; ERS Members FAQ page; Noncontributory Q&A brochure (2009) Q3, Q6; Noncontributory handout (Oct. 2026) p. 3. Last reviewed .