About Retirement Exit Counseling
Retirement counseling is for all public school employees, from part-time support staff such as cafeteria workers to full-time teachers and administrators…every public school employee who is a member of PSERS!
To avoid delays in the processing of your retirement benefit due to errors when completing the Application for Retirement form, PSERS strongly suggests you attend an Exit Counseling session.
Exit counseling sessions are scheduled to accommodate a small group.
Requirements to Attend Exit Counseling
- Plan to retire in the next 12 months.
- Have a Staff-Prepared Estimate. You can request one by calling PSERS during normal business hours or by submitting a Request for Retirement Estimate (PSRS-151). Because PSERS will perform a thorough account review for your estimate, please allow 4 – 6 weeks for processing.
After receiving your benefit estimate, call your PSERS to schedule your Exit Counseling session.
What should I bring to Exit Counseling?
- Your PSERS staff-prepared retirement estimate
- The social security number, date of birth, and address information of your beneficiary(ies)
- A copy of your survivor’s birth certificate or driver’s license if you are electing a survivor option
- Your completed Authorization for Direct Rollover (PDF)
- Direct deposit information
Session Options
Both online and in person meetings will cover the same information and are small group limited to 10 retirees plus one guest.
In-Person Sessions
During in-person meetings, retirement representatives will be able to review your retirement application. You will also receive a signed and itemized checklist as your receipt if you turn in your retirement application. Having your retirement application reviewed by a retirement representative statistically leads to minimal, if any, delays in processing compared to members who attend virtually.
Online Sessions
If you are comfortable with technology a virtual meeting might be for you. While virtual meetings are convenient, technology is not foolproof and connection issues could result in a less than ideal experience. At the end of the virtual meeting, it will be your responsibility to mail in your retirement application without being reviewed for accuracy or completeness, which may delay your first payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you are welcome to bring one guest.
Yes. Even if you have a financial advisor, you should attend a PSERS REC session with one of our trained retirement representatives who will help you understand your PSERS retirement benefits when you’re ready to retire.