Retirement Checklist

If you’re approaching retirement, it can be hard to know where to start—or whether you’ve missed a step. This checklist outlines the key actions to take as you prepare to retire from SCERS-covered employment.

It’s designed to help you plan, apply, and retire with confidence.

12+ Months Before Retirement

  • Understand Your Membership Category and Tier
    Confirm your membership category and tier (Legacy or PEPRA) by reviewing your MySCERS account information or contacting SCERS.
  • Review Your Service Credit and Consider Purchasing Prior Service (if applicable)
    Log into MySCERS to confirm your total service credit and vesting status. If you’re eligible to buy prior service (e.g., medical leave, prior public service), begin the process early—it may take time to evaluate and complete. To calculate a Service Purchase Estimate, if applicable, use the online Service Purchase Calculator in your MySCERS member account. SCERS requires a copy of your online estimate when submitting form 6401 (Request for Service Purchase Calculation).
  • Explore or Confirm Reciprocity (if applicable)
    If you’ve worked under another California public retirement system, confirm reciprocity is established with each retirement system early. You must retire from all systems on the same day to preserve reciprocity.
  •  Submit Divorce Documents (if applicable)
    If you were divorced during your membership, submit divorce documents to SCERS for review. Resolve divorce or community property issues early and ensure your court approved DRO is on file.
  • Attend a SCERS Retirement Planning Webinar
    Workshops are offered throughout the year to share important information and answer questions about your pension, deferred compensation, retiree healthcare options, Social Security/Medicare, and other important retirement topics. Non-County members should reach out to their employers for retiree healthcare information. (See our Event Calendar to register.)

6–12 Months Before Retirement

  • Estimate Your Benefit
    Use the personalized estimator in MySCERS or the guest calculator at scers.gov to project your monthly retirement income. 
  • Discuss Plans with Your Family or Financial Advisor 
    Consider how your chosen retirement date, benefit option, and beneficiary decisions align with your financial goals. 
  • Gather Required Supporting Documents 
    This may include your ID, marriage or Registered Domestic Partnership certificate, and birth certificate(s) for you and any beneficiaries. You can update your beneficiary information using the SCERS Member’s Affidavit (Form 6019) if needed.

3 Months Before Retirement

  • Schedule a Counseling Appointment
    Meet with a SCERS Retirement Benefits Specialist to finalize your plans and ask questions.
  • Verify Your Address is Current with Your Employer
    This is important for pre- and after-retirement communications.
  • Inform Your Employer of Your Upcoming Retirement
    Informing your employer of your plans will help coordinate HR steps and scheduling.

60 Days Before Retirement

  • Choose Your Retirement Date
    Select a date that aligns with your employment end date and personal readiness. Your retirement becomes effective on the day you designate, but no earlier than the day after your last day of work.
  • Apply Online via MySCERS (my.scers.gov)
    Submit your application with all required forms no earlier than 60 days—and ideally at least 30 days—before your retirement date. You will choose a beneficiary when filling out the application.
  • Watch for Confirmation From SCERS
    You will receive email confirmation of your application submission. You will also receive written confirmation of your retirement effective date and monthly benefit.

On Your Retirement Date

  • Don’t Report for Duty
    Your retirement becomes effective on the date you selected, and you do not go to work.

After Retirement

  • Expect Your First Benefit Payment
    SCERS pays retirement benefits monthly in arrears. Your first payment typically arrives within 30–45 days of your retirement date, although processing may take longer during peak periods.
  • Review Post-Retirement Health Benefits
    SCERS does not provide health benefits. Contact your former employer’s benefits office (or Medicare if you are 65+) to review or change your retiree health coverage options. 
  • Update Your Beneficiary (if needed)
    Submit a new Member’s Affidavit if your beneficiary has changed. 
  • Keep Your Address Current
    Should your address change post-retirement, submit a new Member’s Affidavit to SCERS.
  • Consider Meeting With a Tax Advisor
    Retirement may change your tax situation. Consider reviewing your withholding elections and retirement income strategy. 

Other Retirement Considerations

  • SCERS Retirement Benefits are Not Automatic
    Submitting a retirement application is a required step.
  • Make Decisions Well in Advance
    If you’re establishing reciprocity, evaluating purchase of service, or relying on Social Security or deferred compensation income, make those decisions well in advance of retirement.
  • Most SCERS Retirement Decisions are Irrevocable Once Elected.