How to Apply for Retirement at OPERS

How to Apply for Retirement at OPERS

Once you are ready to make the transition from active member to retiree, OPERS can guide you through the retirement application process.

1. Register for an OPERS online account

~ Establish your online account to access important account information, run benefit estimates, register for seminars and webinars, and even schedule a counseling session.

~ Registration is quick and easy.

Register for your OPERS online account

2. Speak with an OPERS counselor.

~ If you are thinking about retirement, we encourage you to speak with an OPERS counselor. They can answer your initial questions about the retirement process over the phone and help your decide if you should come in for a one-on-one counseling session.

~ Our counselors can walk you through the retirement application, run benefit estimates, discuss payment options and answer your questions along the way.

~ Call at 1-800-222-7377 to speak with a counselor or schedule an in-person counseling session.

3. Choose your retirement effective date

~ Your retirement effective date is the first day of the month following your last day of employment.

~ You’ll need to make your employer aware of your retirement plans and choose your last date of employment.

~ You may want to ask your employer when your health care coverage ends and if there’s a policy for any sick leave and vacation time payouts.

~ You can apply for retirement up to six months prior to your retirement effective date. We recommend you apply at least two months in advance.

4. Complete your retirement application

~ To apply for your retirement benefits, you'll need to complete the appropriate retirement application for your plan.

~ When completing your application you'll be asked to pick your payment plan for your monthly benefit and decide if you want to receive a partial lump sum option payment.

~ You'll also need to designate at least one beneficiary.

Retirement Application - Traditional Pension Plan

Retirement Application - Member-Directed Plan

Retirement Application - Combined Plan

Required Documents

A number of additional documents are required to process your retirement, such as your birth certificate or marriage certificate. You can submit copies of these documents to OPERS at any time during the application process.

Be sure to include your full name and either the last four digits of your Social Security number or your OPERS ID (which can be found on your online account) on each document.