Am I a Foundation or Generational Member?


SDRS is one plan with two different benefit designs: Foundation and Generational. As you navigate the SDRS website, it is important that you know which benefit design applies to you, as the benefit structures are different. While there are two different benefit designs, the costs and the value of the benefits are equivalent.

Foundation Members
Joined SDRS prior to July 1, 2017
Generational Members
Joined SDRS on or after July 1, 2017
Normal Retirement Age
  • Age 65 for Class A and B Judicial
  • Age 55 for Class B Public Safety
Normal Retirement Age
  • Age 67 for Class A and B Judicial
  • Age 57 for Class B Public Safety
Special Early Retirement
  • Class A: Rule of 85
  • Class B Judicial: Rule of 80
  • Class B Public Safety: Rule of 75

No Special Early Retirement

Early Retirement Age: 3%/year reduction in benefit
  • Age 55 for Class A and B Judicial
  • Age 45 for Class B Public Safety
Early Retirement Age: 5%/year reduction in benefit
  • Age 57 for Class A and B Judicial
  • Age 45 for Class B Public Safety
Benefit Multipliers for Service Prior to July 1, 2008
  • Class A: 1.7%
  • Class B Judicial: 3.733% for first 15 years of service
  • Class B Judicial: 3.333% for service in excess of 15 years
  • Class B Public Safety: 2.4%


Benefit Multipliers for Service After July 1, 2008

  • Class A: 1.55%
  • Class B Judicial: 2.4% for first 15 years of service
  • Class B Judicial: 2.0% for service in excess of 15 years
  • Class B Public Safety: 2.0%
Benefit Multipliers for All Service
  • Class A: 1.8%
  • Class B Judicial: 3.333% for first 15 years of service
  • Class B Judicial: 2.0% for service in excess of 15 years
  • Class B Public Safety: 2.0%

No Variable Retirement Account (VRA)

Variable Retirement Account (VRA):

Monthly contribution of up to 1.5% of compensation; credited with SD Investment Council earnings; available to member at retirement, disability, or death. Note: no additional employer contributions are needed for the VRA.

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
  • Indexed to CPI-W and based on SDRS funded status
  • Minimum: 0%
  • Maximum: 3.5%
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
  • Indexed to CPI-W and based on SDRS funded status
  • Minimum: 0%
  • Maximum: 3.5%
Final Average Compensation (FAC)
  • Contributory service concluding prior to July 1, 2021: Average of highest three consecutive years of compensation out of last 10 years
  • Contributory service concluding between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022: Average of highest four consecutive years of compensation out of last 10 years
  • Contributory service concluding after July 1, 2022: Average of highest five consecutive years of compensation out of last 10 years
Final Average Compensation (FAC)
  • Average of highest five consecutive years of compensation out of last 10 years
Other Features
  • Three-year vesting
  • 60% post-retirement survivor benefit
  • Refund: 100% of member contributions; 85% of employer contributions (50% if not vested)

Other Features

  • Three-year vesting
  • Single-life benefit; 60% or 100% post-retirement survivor benefit available with cost covered by a reduction in member's monthly benefit
  • Refund: 100% of member contributions; 85% of employer contributions (50% if not vested); VRA funds are forfeited if member refunds

Note regarding members who terminate employment prior to July 1, 2017: Foundation members who leave their funds with SDRS upon termination of employment and return to SDRS-covered employment after July 1, 2017, will remain Foundation members. Foundation members who forfeit their right to benefits by taking a refund and then rejoin the system after July 1, 2017, will be Generational members under the Generational benefit design.