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Retirement Planning

Thinking about retirement? This page will help you prepare for retirement, whether you plan to retire this year or well into the future.

Be sure to visit PenPoint, a self-service retirement system for MCPS employees, by clicking on the log-in button to the right and entering your MCPS username and password. PenPoint lets you access your yearly Retirement Benefit Statement and estimate your MCPS core and supplemental retirement benefit amounts based on different scenarios.

The tabs below provide links to additional retirement information, including retirement publications, forms, a retirement timeline, and details about retiring after disability.


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Active employees:
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Now available in PenPoint: Retirement Benefit Statements as of June 30, 2023

General Retirement Resources

Retirement Preplanning and Application Forms

Retirement Preplanning Forms 

Thinking of retiring? Click on your core plan membership to access forms you may need as you are planning for your retirement.

Retirement Application Forms 

Ready to retire? Click on your core plan membership to access the required retirement application forms. Be sure to submit your application forms at least 30 days prior to your expected retirement date.

 

Retirement Timeline

Considering retirement within the next 3 years? Click on each timeframe for a detailed list of actions to prepare you for retirement.

36 months or more

At this stage in the process, the most important step you can take is to do your homework.

  1. Check your MCPS core and supplemental retirement statements to see your current estimated projected retirement benefit amounts and retirement dates. State core plan members can review their retirement statements here.
  2. Read Understanding Your Retirement for detailed information about your retirement benefit and timelines to help you through the retirement process.
  3. Read The Mentor for information about The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System of Maryland (MSRA) pre-retirement seminars and a retirement checklist for MSRA members within 12 months of retirement.
  4. Read Retiree News, also from the MSRA, for more helpful information for "soon-to-be" and current retirees.
  5. Attend information workshops to hear from the experts.

 

9 to 12 months

Start taking concrete steps toward your retirement.

    1. Request an estimate of retirement benefits
 
       
  1. Apply to purchase any eligible service and/or military service credit  
  2. Prepare your retirement budget
 

6 months

Make sure you know all the details to ensure a smooth a transition.

  1. Read the Retiree Benefit Summary to familiarize yourself with retiree benefit options.
  2. Review the applicable rate chart in the Retiree Benefit Rate Schedules.
  3. Discuss your benefit payment options with your family and/or financial advisor.
 

3 months

  1. Download your retirement application forms  
  2. Determine your federal and state withholding amount. Consult with your tax advisor for assistance.
  3. If eligible, contact the Social Security Administration to file for Social Security benefits and enroll in Medicare Parts A and B if you and/or your spouse are 65 or older.
  4. Review your 403(b) and/or 457(b) plan options, including rollover of sick and/or annual leave payout.
  5. MCEA members retiring July 1 must submit all retirement forms to ERSC by April 1 to be eligible for payment of 35 percent of their earned unused sick leave balance. Learn more about the MCEA sick leave payoff
 

1 - 2 months

Send in your retirement forms and begin your transition to retirement.

  1. Return all retirement forms to ERSC, including 403(b) or 457(b) leave payout contributions agreement to rollover annual and/or sick leave payment, and a copy of your Medicare card with Parts A and B, if you or spouse/dependent is eligible for Medicare.
    • All forms must be received by ERSC at least 30 days prior to your retirement date.
 

Disability Retirement

Learn more about applying for a disability retirement.