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Retirement Information

Getting ready for retirement? Don't know where to begin? Use the Retirement Benefit Estimator and checklist down below to get you started!

Retirement Planning Checklist

6 Months Before Retirement

  • Select your retirement date.
  • Request a formal retirement benefit estimate and customized application from MCERA.
  • Gather or order all of the documents you will need for retirement:
    • Birth Certificate for each beneficiary (or copy of trust agreement)
    • Your marriage license or partnership registration
  • Contact appropriate agencies or advisors to determine tax withholding.

1-2 Months Before Retirement

  • Contact MCERA's Benefits Team to get your remaining questions answered, or schedule an appointment if necessary.
  • Tell your Beneficiary which payment option you're selecting and what it means for them.
  • If you or your spouse are over 65 at retirement, enroll in Medicare with benefits effective as of your retirement date.
  • Notify your employer of your retirement date.
  • Submit your retirement application and all forms and docs to MCERA

Don’t forget to contact your deferred compensation representative if you participate in an employer-sponsored deferred compensation (457b) plan AND set up a meeting with Rhonda Castellucci to discuss retirement details @ 415-485-3474. 

Classic Tier Members

Classic members: If you were an MCERA member on or before December 31, 2012, or a member of another public retirement system as of that date and came to MCERA with reciprocity, you’re a Classic member.

Classic Tiers Membership Dates Benefit Formula
General Classic Tier 1 prior to 7/1/11 2.7% @ 55
Safety Classic Tier 1 prior to 7/1/11 3% @ 55
General Classic Tier 2 7/1/11-12/31/12 2% @ 55
Safety Classic Tier 2 7/1/11-12/31/12 3% 55

 

PEPRA Tier Members

PEPRA members: If you entered membership on or after January 1, 2013 and you don’t have reciprocity with another public retirement system with service prior to that date, you’re a PEPRA member.

PEPRA Tiers Membership Dates Benefit Formula 
General PEPRA Tier 3 1/1/13-Present 2% @ 62
Safety PEPRA Tier 3 1/1/13-Present 2.7% @ 57

Retirement Planning

Terminating Employment (if you leave MCERA-covered employment prior to retirement)

MCERA Retirement Workshops

MCERA has two workshops specific to different career stages: Mid-Career (3-20 years from retirement) and Preparing to Retire (within 2 years of retirement).

You can view schedules online and also sign up by sending an email to MCERA’s workshop team (MCERAWorkshops@marincounty.org) or calling (415) 473-4014.

  • Mid-Career Workshop Topics

    • Defined benefit vs. defined contribution
    • Fund income sources
    • Overview of service, disability and death benefits
    • Career milestones
    • Leaving before retirement
    • Reciprocity
    • Divroce
    • Calculating your benefit
    • Ways to increase your benefit
    • How to estimate your benefit at home
    • Tools & resources
    • Next steps throughout your career

  • Preparing to Retire Workshop Topics

    • Defined benefit vs. defined contribution
    • Fund income sources
    • Eligibility to Retire
    • Divorce
    • “How much will I get?”
    • “What will my beneficiary get?”
    • “How can I increase my benefit?”
    • “What date is right for me?”
    • “How do I apply?”
    • Cost of living adjustments
    • Working after retirement
    • Medical benefit subsidy plans
    • Medicare
    • Social Security

 

Contribution Rate Setting Process

Marin County Employees’ Retirement Association (MCERA)

Address: One McInnis Parkway, Suite 100, San Rafael, CA 94903

Active Member Benefits General Information & Forms 
415-473-4148 415-473-6147
MCERABenefits@marincounty.org MCERA.org
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