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Sheriffs' Retirement System (SRS)

Montana Codes Annotated Title 19, chapters 2 &7

The SRS is a multiple-employer, cost-sharing defined benefit plan established July 1, 1974, and governed by Title 19, chapters 2 &7, MCA. This plan provides retirement benefits to all Department of Justice criminal investigators hired after July 1, 1993, and to all Montana sheriffs. Benefits are established by state law and can only be amended by the Legislature. The SRS provides retirement, disability and death benefits to plan members and their beneficiaries. Benefits are based on eligibility, years of service and highest average compensation. Member rights are vested after five years of service. A brief summary of eligibility and benefits follows:

SRS Summary of Benefits
Highest Average Compensation (HAC) Highest consecutive 36 months
Years of Service required
and/or
Age eligible for benefit
  • 20 years regardless of age
  • Age 50 and 5 years service - actuarially reduced
Vesting 5 years
Monthly Benefit Formula 2.5% of HAC per year of service.
Guaranteed Annual Benefit Adjustment (GABA) After the member has completed 12 full months of retirement, the member's
benefit increases by the applicable percentage (provided below) each January, inclusive of all other adjustments to the member's benefit.
  • 3% for members hired before July 1, 2007
  • 1.5% for members hired on or after July 1, 2007

SRS Contribution Rates
Member Employer
9.245% 9.825%