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Retirement Checklist

The New York State Department of Civil Service; Employee Benefits Division

Meet with your agency Health Benefits Administrator (HBA) to discuss:

bullet Eligibility requirements for continuing health insurance coverage as a retiree and whether you meet them.
bullet How sick leave credit may reduce the cost of your health insurance coverage.
bullet Dual annuitant sick leave credit.
bullet Option to defer your health insurance coverage as a retiree.
bullet Your dental, vision, and life insurance benefits after you retire.

Before your last day on the payroll, meet with your HBA to:

bullet Recalculate the value of your sick leave credit.
bullet Tell your HBA if you want dual annuitant sick leave credit. You must decide no later than your last day on the payroll and if you choose it, you may not discontinue it later.
bullet Tell your HBA if you want to defer your coverage as a retiree. You must decide no later than your last day on the payroll, and must have other health insurance coverage, for example through your spouse’s/domestic partner’s employer or through post-retirement employment.

After you retire:

bullet Watch your mail for your Dear Retiree Letter.
bullet Watch your mail for your bill for health insurance.
bullet Keep your payments up-to-date until your pension deductions begin. Once pension deductions begin, you will no longer be billed.

New York State Office of the State Comptroller (OSC); NYSLRS

Preparing for retirement:

bullet Request a general estimate 12-18 months before you retire to determine the approximate amount of pension you can expect to receive monthly. Use form RS6030.
bullet Locate proof of your birth date. No benefits can be paid without this proof.

Filing for retirement:

bullet Submit your retirement application, along with your proof of date of birth, at least 30 but not more than 90 days prior to your date of retirement. Use form RS6037.
bullet Submit a W-4P Form (form available from Guide, OSC web site, or Call Center). Use the OSC tax calculator to help you determine how much you should have withheld from your retirement benefit.

Selecting your retirement option:

bullet Review your general estimate and select the option that best fits your specific needs.
bullet File your Retirement Option Election form no later than the last day of the month in which you retire.

Beneficiary Information

bullet Before and after retirement periodically check to make sure your beneficiary information is up-to-date.

The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan

Schedule an account check-up to:

bullet Review your asset allocation strategy in retirement.

Choose a payout option that fits your needs:

bullet The earliest you can begin making withdrawals is 45 days following separation of service.

Decide when you want to take distributions:

bullet The Plan does not require you to begin benefit payments until you are age 70 ½, and separated from State service. After April 1 of the calendar year in which you reach age 70 ½, the IRS requires you to take a minimum distribution or pay a penalty of 50% of the amount that was not withdrawn as required.

To begin receiving distributions:

bullet Call the HELPLINE at 1-800-422-8463 and request a Benefit Distribution Packet. Confirm that your beneficiary information is up-to-date.

Social Security and Medicare

Apply for Social Security:

bullet Contact Social Security if you are 62 and plan to retire or if you are within three months of 65, even if you don’t plan to retire.

Medicare:

bullet If you are receiving social security benefits you will be sent Medicare information.
bullet If you are not receiving benefits, apply 3 months before your 65th birthday. Call Social Security to apply.
bullet As a retired New York State employee, you MUST enroll in both Parts A & B when you become eligible for Medicare. NYS will reimburse you for the cost of Part B.

This checklist was compiled by GOER in conjunction with the Office of the State Comptroller, the NYS Department of Civil Service, the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan, and the Social Security Administration. Funding is provided by the negotiated agreements between the State of New York and CSEA, PEF, UUP, GSEU, and DC37; and by the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations for employees designated M/C.

This short checklist was designed to help you in planning for retirement. It is not intended to be all-inclusive, but is meant to highlight some of the critical steps you should take with each agency/provider listed below. Please use this checklist in conjunction with the online Self-Help Guide to Pre-Retirement Planning for NYS Employees.