Plan your retirement in a businesslike manner so that it can be handled efficiently and with the greatest advantage to you. One or two years before your actual retirement, communicate in writing or in person with the Educational Retirement office nearest you to be sure you have received credit for all of your covered employment in New Mexico. You may also check on allowed credit for military, federal, out-of-state, or U.S. Military service that you may have purchased.
One year before retirement. As you approach retirement, you may want an estimate of your projected benefits. Please direct your inquiries to the Educational Retirement Board giving specific information about when you plan to retire, your current annual salary, and the birthday of your beneficiary (if you elect an option). You may be able to estimate the amount of your own benefit by applying the formula described in this handbook or with our online benefits calculator.
You should, at this time, obtain verification of your date of birth and verification of date of birth for the person whom you may name as your beneficiary in the event you elect Option B or C upon your retirement. Acceptable verifications include a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or passport.
To ensure that your retirement process moves smoothly, you should complete the application 60-90 days before your retirement date. Retirement application forms are available from your employer and must be completed by you and your employer and mailed by your employer to the Educational Retirement Board. Applications received after the anticipated retirement date will be changed to the next month. If you are not employed at the time you seek benefits, you may make application directly with the Educational Retirement Board. This should be done between 30-90 days before the desired effective retirement date.
