Planning for Retirement

Retiring from public service is a major life transition—SCERS is here to help you prepare. Whether you’re a few years away or getting ready to submit your application, this section walks you through what to know, what to consider, and what to do.

SCERS provides a lifetime monthly benefit based on your years of service, your age at retirement, and your final compensation. The decisions you make as you approach retirement—such as your retirement date, payment option, and beneficiary—can affect both your income and the financial security of your loved ones.

What This Section Covers

• When you become eligible to retire
• How your benefit is calculated and estimated
• What to expect when applying for retirement
• The available payment options and survivor benefits
• A checklist to help you stay on track

Legacy vs. PEPRA Members

Throughout this section, we’ll call out where retirement rules differ between:

• Legacy Members (hired before January 1, 2013)
• PEPRA Members (hired on or after January 1, 2013)

Differences include:

• Retirement eligibility ages
• Final compensation calculation
• Pensionable pay caps
• Survivor benefit formulas

If you’re not sure which tier you’re in, check MySCERS, your Annual Member Statement, or contact SCERS.

Tips for Getting Started

If you’re more than two years from retirement, now is the time to:

• Review your service credit
• Verify your beneficiary is up to date
• Explore SCERS tools for estimating your benefit.

If you’re within 60 days of your desired retirement date, you’re ready to begin the application process.