Eligibility for Retirement


To be entitled to retirement benefits, a member must have a minimum of three years of contributory service. Unreduced retirement benefits are available once you reach your normal retirement age or meet the requirements for special early retirement as a Foundation Member. For Foundation Members under special early retirement, you become eligible for unreduced retirement benefits when certain combinations of age and years of service are met (i.e. meeting your Rule). Reduced retirement benefits can be drawn once you attain your minimum retirement age. No retirement benefits are payable to you before you attain your minimum retirement age.

Foundation Members

Retirement Eligibility

 Normal Retirement
(unreduced benefit)
Early Retirement
(reduced benefit)
Special Early Retirement
(unreduced benefit)
Class AAge 65As early as age 55Rule of 85
Class B Public SafetyAge 55As early as age 45Rule of 75
Class B JudicialAge 65As early as age 55Rule of 80


Special Early Retirement for Foundation Members

A Foundation member can retire earlier than normal retirement age and receive an unreduced benefit if certain age and credited service requirements are met. The chart below, separated by class of service, shows the specific combinations of age and credited service that will produce an unreduced benefit if you retire early and begin payments.

Class A
Rule of 85
Class B Public Safety
Rule of 75
Class B Judicial
Rule of 80
Age 55 with 30 yearsAge 45 with 30 yearsAge 55 with 25 years
Age 56 with 29 yearsAge 46 with 29 yearsAge 56 with 24 years
Age 57 with 28 yearsAge 47 with 28 yearsAge 57 with 23 years
Age 58 with 27 yearsAge 48 with 27 yearsAge 58 with 22 years
Age 59 with 26 yearsAge 49 with 26 yearsAge 59 with 21 years
Age 60 with 25 yearsAge 50 with 25 yearsAge 60 with 20 years
Age 61 with 24 yearsAge 51 with 24 yearsAge 61 with 19 years
Age 62 with 23 yearsAge 52 with 23 yearsAge 62 with 18 years
Age 63 with 22 yearsAge 53 with 22 yearsAge 63 with 17 years
Age 64 with 21 yearsAge 54 with 21 yearsAge 64 with 16 years


Early Retirement for Foundation Members

If you do not meet the requirements for special early retirement, you may choose to begin drawing your retirement benefit prior to reaching your normal retirement age at a reduced rate. The amount of reduction depends upon your age and years of credited service when payments begin. If you choose to retire prior to your normal retirement age, your benefits will be permanently reduced by 1/4 of 1% for each full month (or 3% for each full year) between your benefit commencement and the date you will reach your normal retirement age or the date you will meet your special early retirement requirements, if applicable.

Generational Members

Retirement Eligibility

 Normal Retirement
(unreduced benefit)
Early Retirement
(reduced benefit)
Class AAge 67As early as age 57
Class B Public SafetyAge 57As early as age 47
Class B JudicialAge 67As early as age 57


Early Retirement for Generational Members

You may choose to begin drawing your retirement benefit prior to reaching your normal retirement age at a reduced rate. If you choose to retire prior to your normal retirement age, your benefits will be permanently reduced by 5% for each year (and prorated for partial year) between your benefit commencement and the date you will reach your normal retirement age.