One Year Before Your Retirement Date:

• Register for MySCERS (my.scers.gov) and use the SCERS Benefit Calculator to estimate your monthly
  pension—or explore different retirement dates.
• Attend a retirement planning webinar hosted by SCERS with guest panelists from Fidelity, Social
  Security, MissionSquare Retirement, and Employee Benefits to get answers and resources. SCERS does
  not provide health benefits. Non-County members should reach out to their benefits offices for
  healthcare information.
• If you’re considering purchasing extra service credit, submit a Request for Service Purchase Calculation form (available at scers.gov).
• Resolve divorce or community property issues early–ensure that your divorce-related judgments, orders, and agreements are
  on file with SCERS. Refer to SCERS’ Dissolution of Marriage Documents Policy (available at scers.gov) for more information.

Six Months Before:

• Gather and keep copies of:
  • Your birth certificate
  • Birth certificates for any beneficiaries
  • Marriage or Registered Domestic Partnership certificate
• Update your beneficiary information with SCERS using the Member’s Affidavit if needed.
• If you’re also a member of another reciprocal retirement system, notify them. You must retire from all systems on the same day to preserve reciprocity.

Three Months Before:

• Schedule a counseling appointment with a SCERS Retirement Benefits Specialist to finalize your plans and ask questions.
• Verify your address is current with your employer—important for pre-retirement and after-retirement communications.
• Inform your employer of your upcoming retirement to coordinate HR steps and scheduling.

Two Months Before:

• Upload and submit your fully completed Service Retirement Application, including all required forms, via the MySCERS Portal (my.scers.gov) up to 60 days before your chosen retirement date.

On Your Retirement Date:

• Your retirement is effective on the day you designate—no earlier than the day after your last day of work. You do not go to work on your retirement effective date.
• SCERS typically issues your first pension check within 45 days, although processing may take longer during peak periods.

After Retirement:

• Should your address change post-retirement, submit a new Member’s Affidavit to SCERS.

Important Notes:

• SCERS retirement benefits are not automatic; submitting your application is a required step.
• If you’re establishing reciprocity with another retirement system, evaluating purchase of service, or relying on Social Security or deferred compensation income, make those decisions well in advance.
• Most SCERS retirement decisions are irrevocable once elected.