Eligibility
You are eligible for a vested retirement benefit if you leave public employment before retirement age and you have five years of credited service. When you reach retirement age, you will be entitled to a retirement benefit based on your service and salary earned when you were an active member.1
The date you are eligible to retire depends on your tier.
| Tier 1 | Full vested benefit as early as the first of the month following your 55th birthday. |
| Tiers 2, 3 and 5 | Full vested benefit at age 62. Early retirement with a reduced benefit as early as the first of the month following your 55th birthday. |
| Tier 6 | Full vested benefit at age 63. |
Your Vested Benefit
The provisions of the retirement plan that you were covered by in your last public employment determine the vested benefit. For an explanation of your benefit, please refer to the Service Retirement Benefit section.
The vested retirement benefit is payable for your lifetime. You may elect one of several payment options to provide for a continuing payment to a designated beneficiary of your choosing after your death.
Filing
To receive your vested retirement benefit at the earliest possible date, file a retirement application within 90 days before you become eligible. If we receive your retirement application after you become eligible, your vested retirement will be effective on the date the application is received.
Remember, it is up to you to file a retirement application when you become eligible and wish to receive your benefit.
1Updated 10/22