Information for Employees Planning to Retire
Are you considering retirement? Congratulations!
To qualify for a retirement benefit you must be vested in your retirement system.
Vesting means you have met the minimum service requirements to qualify for a benefit. For most members, that means you have a minimum of 10 years of full-time creditable service.
If you haven’t already, review the PERAC retirement guide applicable to your date of hire/membership (links below)
PERAC Retirement Guides
Public Employee Retirement Guide – Membership prior to 4/2/12
Public Employee Retirement Guide – Membership on/after 4/2/12
Social Security and Your Pension
NEW: Social Security Fairness Act Update
Information on the Windfall Elimination Provision
Information on the Government Pension Offset
Contact Middlesex Retirement (or MTRS if you are an educator) to determine
your retirement allowance and benefit options approximately 3 months prior to the date you plan to retire.
Send notice of your intent to retire in writing to your supervisor/ Department Head and Human Resources (consult your contract if applicable for time frame).
Middlesex County Retirement System
25 Linnell Circle
Billerica, MA 01821
Website: https://middlesexretirement.org/
Phone: 978-439-3000
Mass. Teacher’s Retirement System
500 Rutherford Avenue, Suite 210
Charlestown, MA 02129
Website: https://mtrs.state.ma.us/
Phone: 617-679-6877
Health and Dental Insurance For Retirees
If you qualify for a retirement benefit, you will be eligible for health, dental and life insurance through the Town. See
IMPORTANT: Effective Dates for Retiree Health Coverage
If you are a current employee who will be retiring and you are currently enrolled in health insurance through the Town, your active employee health plan will remain in effect until the end of the month following the end of your employment, per GIC regulations. For example, if your employment ends June 30, your active employee coverage will end July 31 and your retiree coverage will start August 1. If you are age 65+ at the time of retirement and will be enrolling in Medicare, your Medicare start date should coincide with the start of your GIC retiree plan to avoid overpayment. Contact HR with questions.