Under the following guidelines, an employee is eligible to retire with benefits:

Must be a Full-time employee in a benefits eligible position, or

A Limited full-time employee in a benefits eligible position, and

Participates and contributes to an eligible retirement plan; Teachers Retirement System of Texas or Optional Retirement Program, and

Total years of retirement service credit/participation include at least 10 (ten) years of service as an eligible employee at an agency/institution authorized to participate in the Employees Retirement System of Texas Group Benefits Program if hired after Sept. 1, 2001, (Employees hired prior to Sept. 1, 2001, are grandfathered under the old rule, which required 10 years of actual service in a GBP-participating agency or institution but only three years of actual service with a GBP-participating agency), and

Must be at least 65 years of age or meet the the Rule of 80 (age plus years of service must total 80 with at least 10 years of service)

* Note: In order to be considered a DCCCD Retiree an employee must have at least ten (10) years of service with the District.

Preparing for retirement can be a simple process for those who plan ahead. Generally if you are an employee nearing retirement, it is best to start planning twelve to eighteen months prior to your anticipated retirement date.  Listed below are a few items to consider:

Number of years to gain service credit in TRS and how it will affect your annuity upon retirement.

Choosing different investments while participating in the OPR for more financial gain.

Speaking with a financial advisor and calculating your pension fund for daily living expenses.

Speaking with a representative of Social Security Administration concerning eligibility for monetary benefits and Medicare Part A and B eligibility.

Discuss your current benefits eligibility upon retirement with your location human resources office.

Discuss additional or immediate employment after retirement with your location human resources office. If TRS retiree also review TRS Employment after retirement.

Six Months prior to retirement (recommended)

TRS Participants:

Consult the TRS Benefits Handbook to obtain information about retirement options.

Attend a TRS Retirement Presentation offered around the State each year.

Purchase special service for retirement credit or transfer service credit.

Obtain letters from other institutions previously employed at which contributions to TRS were made that will serve to certify years of service.

Follow up with TRS about sending copies of your birth records for you and your beneficiary.

Set at least 3 dates of retirement for different scenarios including when your salary changes or you gain another year of service. (This can be done online using the Retirement Estimator Calculator or by obtaining copies of the TRS 18 - Request for Estimate of Retirement Benefits from TRS)

Contact the Social Security Administration regarding your eligibility for social security benefits.

ORP Participants:

Consult with your ORP representative or financial consultant concerning access to your ORP dollars and penalties.

Obtain letters from other institutions previously employed at which contributions to TRS were made that will serve to certify years of service.

Request a vesting letter from the District Human Resources Office.

Contact the Social Security Administration regarding your eligibilitly for Social Security benefits.

Three months prior to retirement (recommended)

Set your retirement date.

Complete all required paperwork and send to appropriate agency (with the exception of the TRS 7 - Notice of Final Deposit before Retirement and the ERS retiree benefits enrollment forms).

If you are 65 or over, contact the Social Security Administration and apply for Medicare Part B.

One month prior to retirement (recommended)

Submit your resignation letter to your immediate supervisor, with a copy to the location human resources office.

Make an appointment with your location human resources office for an exit interview.  This interview will include completing paperwork to enroll in retiree insurance.

TRS participants, forward your TRS 7 to the location human resources office.

Termination of Employment - Retirement

Exit Interview with human resources:

Do not turn in your insurance card, they will continue to be valid until your receive a new card.

Complete your retiree insurance enrollment forms and discuss your insurance effective date and possible initial premium payments directly to ERS.

Turn in your location keys.

Turn in any equipment, book, computers, etc.

Discuss you final payroll check and vacation payoff check (if applicable).

Complete the TexasSaver vacation payoff option form.

Your employment with DCCCD will terminate in all capacities in order to retire. If you plan to return to work discuss when it is appropriate for your to return.