Service Retirement and Eligibility

Members may apply for a service retirement upon meeting the eligibility requirements based on age and years of retirement service credit. Application for service retirement must be made through ACERA by completing the appropriate forms. Retirement packages are available by contacting ACERA or you may download a service retirement application from this site (click HERE).

The retirement application and all required documents cannot be submitted to ACERA earlier than 60 days prior to your retirement date. ACERA members cannot retire retroactively. Your retirement benefits cannot begin earlier than the date your retirement application is received at ACERA.

If you are planning on applying for retirement, please keep in mind that you are responsible for notifying your employer of your retirement. ACERA will not notify your employer/department of your retirement as member information is confidential. Also, please remember that any delay in the closing of your active member payroll records (i.e. failure to turn in keys, badges, etc.) may delay the processing of your retirement application and retirement benefit payment.

Your service retirement application may be withdrawn or the retirement date changed by submitting a written request to ACERA prior to the retirement date. However, withdrawing your retirement application or changing your retirement date does not automatically reinstate your status as an employee. This is a separate issue between you and your department. ACERA does not notify your department if you withdraw or change the date of your retirement.

Eligibility Requirements for Service Retirement

General Members may apply for service retirement upon reaching one of these requirements:

• Age 50 or older with 10 years of retirement service credit

• Any age with 30 or more years of retirement service credit

• Age 70 or older regardless of years of service

Safety Members may apply for service retirement upon reaching one of these requirements:

• Age 50 or older with 10 years of retirement service credit

• Any age with 20 or more years of retirement service credit

• Age 70 or older regardless of years of service

Reciprocal service can be used to meet service requirements of general and safety members. Prior public agency service previously purchased cannot be included to meet the minimum service requirements for general and safety members.

The eligibility and procedures for Disability Retirement differ from Service Retirement. See Disability Retirement Section.

All Service Purchases and Redeposit contracts must be completed prior to retirement. See Pre-Retirement Checklist.

ACERA offers group pre-retirement planning seminars and group counseling sessions to those members who are considering retirement. Contact ACERA to attend a group counseling session or a pre-retirement seminar. Priority for group counseling sessions is given to members who are close to retirement.

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