You can never plan too early for your retirement. The information below gives you a general timeframe of important events as you near retirement.
Two to three years before retirement
- Review the accuracy of your years of service with SPTRFA. You can do this by reviewing your Annual Statement of Account (if you are under age 40) or refer to your Benefit Estimate mailed out in late December.
- Complete any necessary purchases of service credit in advance of applying for retirement.
One to two years before retirement
- Request an estimate of your retirement benefits by submitting a Benefit Estimate Request.
- Consider attending the annual January Pension Planning Seminar, hosted by SPPS, SPTRFA, and Social Security. Contact us for more information.
The year of retirement
The year that you are planning on retiring, you will need to be in contact with the SPTRFA. To make the process easy and efficient, we recommend the following:
- Contact the SPTRFA at least 90 days in advance of the date you plan to retire to discuss the retirement benefit process and your options. We provide you with the necessary documents to apply for retirement benefits.
- You may apply for retirement benefits up to 90 days after your last employment date, provided that you have not returned to work with SPPS during that time. Benefits would be retroactive to the first eligible retirement date after your last day of work.
- Eligible retirement dates are the 1st and 16th of each month.
Questions regarding post-retirement health insurance, severance pay and resignation processes should be directed to your benefits department at St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) or St. Paul College (SPC). For easy to follow guidelines please refer to the pre-retirement checklist.
Important information
Please coordinate your date of retirement with SPPS or SPC. Earnings after the effective date of retirement my be subject to earning limitations. Contact us for more information.
Period of Separation
You are not considered retired until we confirm that you have been completely and continuously separated from service with SPPS or SPC for 30 consecutive calendar days.
Monthly Benefit
Retirement benefits are paid on the first business day of each month. The SPTRFA encourages retirees to take advantage of the direct deposit program, where monthly benefits are electronically deposited into their specified accounts each month. This is a safe, secure, and fast way to receive your monthly benefit. To start direct deposit, fill out a direct deposit form and return by mail, email it or by fax.