Bona fide break in service
At least 30 days fully separated from every employer in the plan after retiring, with no prior agreement to return.
Handbook pp. 21-22, Mandatory Requirement; WRS Board Rules ch. 12, sec. 4More on this →Disability retirement
A benefit for an active, contributing member with 10 or more years of service whose condition is expected to last at least 12 months. You must apply before you leave your job and before full retirement age. WRS decides it separately from Social Security.
Handbook pp. 24-25, Disability Retirement and Disability Retirement EligibilityMore on this →Domestic Relations Order (DRO)
A judge-signed order that splits a WRS pension in a divorce. It permanently lowers the member's benefit.
Handbook p. 27, DivorceMore on this →Early retirement reduction
A permanent cut of 5% for each year you are under 60 (Tier 1) or 65 (Tier 2) when you retire, prorated by the month, unless you meet the Rule of 85.
Handbook p. 11, Taking a Reduced Retirement BenefitMore on this →Highest average salary (HAS)
The average of your highest 36 (Tier 1) or 60 (Tier 2) continuous months of acceptable salary, used in the benefit formula.
Handbook p. 7, Highest Average SalaryMore on this →Legislated COLA
A raise the Legislature may grant to retirees. It is not automatic, and Wyoming law bars recommending one unless the plan stays at least 100% funded, plus a margin, for the life of the change.
Handbook p. 12, Future Benefit Adjustments; W.S. 9-3-454(a)More on this →Money purchase benefit
For members who started before July 1, 1981, a second calculation based on the account; WRS pays whichever result is higher.
Handbook p. 10, Potential Benefit AdjustmentsMore on this →Option 1
A monthly benefit for your life; at your death, any account balance left over the benefits paid goes to your beneficiaries. It is the formula amount.
Handbook p. 18, Benefit Options; W.S. 9-3-420(a), (c); W.S. 9-3-421(b)More on this →Pop-up
A feature of Options 2P and 3P that raises your payment to the Option 1 amount if your beneficiary dies first.
Actuarial valuation (2026) p. 53, Options 2P and 3PMore on this →Redeposit
Paying back a refund you took (plus an actuarial amount) to restore the service you gave up.
Handbook p. 12, RedepositsMore on this →Refund
Taking out your own contributions plus interest when you leave. It ends your membership and gives up your service credit; the employer's share stays in the plan.
Handbook pp. 13-14, Leaving Employment Before Retirement AgeMore on this →Rule of 85
Retire unreduced at any age when your age plus your years of service credit total 85 or more.
Handbook p. 11, Understanding the 'Rule of 85'More on this →Self-funded COLA
A fixed 1%, 2% or 3% yearly raise you pay for by taking a smaller starting benefit.
Handbook p. 19, Self-Funded Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) FeatureMore on this →Service credit
One month for each month with 86 or more hours reported; less for fewer hours (half a month for 40-85 hours, a quarter for under 40).
Handbook p. 9, Months of Service; W.S. 9-3-417(b)More on this →Service purchase
A one-time, lump-sum purchase of up to 5 years of service credit by an active, vested member (up to 8 in all for honorably discharged veterans).
Handbook p. 10, Increasing Your Pension Benefit via a Service PurchaseMore on this →Tier 1
Members first hired before September 1, 2012. Full benefit at 60, a 36-month highest average salary, and 2.125% a year for the first 15 years, then 2.25%.
Handbook p. 7, Benefit Tiers and Highest Average Salary; p. 9, Estimating Your Benefit; p. 11, Retirement Eligibility AgesMore on this →Tier 2
Members first hired on or after September 1, 2012, plus some who came back after a refund. Full benefit at 65, a 60-month highest average salary, and 2% a year.
Handbook p. 7, Benefit Tiers and Highest Average Salary; p. 9, Estimating Your Benefit; p. 11, Retirement Eligibility Ages; p. 13, Important Tier 2 RuleMore on this →Vested
Having 48 months (4 years) of service credit, which entitles you to a monthly benefit at retirement age.
Handbook p. 10, Vesting RequirementsMore on this →Source: WRS Public Employee Pension Plan Handbook, Updated August 2026, pp. 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13-14, 18, 19, 21-22, 24-25, 27. Also: WRS Board Rules ch. 12; Actuarial valuation (2026); W.S. §§ 9-3-417, 9-3-420, 9-3-421, 9-3-454. Last reviewed .