CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
  
 

This is a brief summary of the steps required to retire. As you get closer to your retirement date, CCCERA has additional information sources, including brochures (also posted on this website), group counseling, individual counseling appointments, benefit estimates, etc. Call and speak with a counselor if you have any questions.

CCCERA staff are trained to offer assistance on the retirement process and beyond, but we are not tax professionals or financial planners. We encourage consultation with your financial advisor prior to making decisions that may affect your future security.

Start planning your retirement:

If possible, 5 years ahead of your planned retirement date.
This may seem like a long time, but preliminary planning gives you the opportunity to save vacation credits, purchase or convert any eligible service time, consider your estimated benefit amounts at possible ages, and decide at which age retirement will be most advantageous.
During the year prior to retirement, if you need more information, call CCCERA and request:

 

 

    
  1. A retirement benefit estimate, if needed.
  2. A Group Counseling appointment.
  3. An individual counseling appointment.
Gather the required documentation CCCERA needs to process your retirement:
  1. Your birth certificate.
  2. Birth certificates of all your beneficiaries.
  3. Social Security Numbers (SSN) of all your beneficiaries.
  4. Marriage Certificate if you are married, OR
  5. State of California Domestic Partnership Registration, if you are a registered domestic partner.
  6. If you have any service in Tier 2, you must submit an estimate from the Social Security Administration before your final benefit calculation is completed.
Request an Application for Service Retirement packet from CCCERA.
Submit your completed Application to Retire (with required documentation):
No earlier than 2 months (60 days) before your planned retirement date.
Retirement Decisions
 
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