Eligibility

You are eligible for a vested retirement benefit if you leave public employment before age 55 and you have five or more years of credited service. This means that when you reach age 55, you will be entitled to a retirement benefit based on your service and your earnings when you were an active member.

If you retire between age 55 and age 62 with less than 30 years of service credit, you will receive a reduced benefit. With at least 30 years of service credit, or if you are 62 or older at retirement, there is no reduction in your benefit.

Your Vested Benefit

Your vested retirement benefit would be calculated in the same way as the service retirement benefit. For an explanation of the benefit, please refer to the Service Retirement Benefit section.

The vested retirement benefit is payable for your lifetime. You must elect one of the available payment options, some of which 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 your 55th birthday. If we receive your retirement application after your 55th birthday, your vested retirement will be effective the date the application is received.

Once you have reached the age at which you are eligible for an unreduced benefit, any delay in filing will not increase your retirement benefit. Remember, it is up to you to file a retirement application when you become eligible and wish to receive your benefit.