Important Change to the Retirement Application Timeline

Effective January 1, 2026, there will be a significant change to the Employees’ Retirement System’s (ERS) retirement application process. Beginning on this date, retirement applications must be submitted no less than 60 days before your anticipated retirement date. This is a change from the current requirement, which allows submissions as late as 30 days prior.

The first group impacted by this change will be members planning to retire on or after April 1, 2026. Please read the FAQ below to understand what this change means for you.

What does this mean for me?
Currently, retirement applications must be submitted no more than 90 days and no less than 30 days before your intended retirement date.
Under the new process, applications must be submitted no more than 90 days and no less than 60 days prior to your retirement date.
This means you will need to submit your retirement application earlier than before. The change ensures ERS has adequate time to verify eligibility, process documents, and prepare your benefits without delay.
Please plan ahead and use the chart to determine the appropriate submission window for your anticipated retirement date.

Does anything else about the process change?
No. All other aspects of the retirement process remain the same. The only change is the updated application submission window.

Am I eligible to retire?

You may retire if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You are age 65 or older with at least five years of membership service
• You have at least 30 years of membership service, regardless of your age
• You are age 55 or older with at least five years of membership service (early retirement/reduced benefit)

If you are eligible, you may receive normal benefit payments at age 65 or choose reduced payments if retiring under age 65 with fewer than 30 years of service.

What should I do?
Under the new schedule, you must submit your application between 60 and 90 days before your retirement date.
To apply:

• Download the Application for Service Retirement form at bcers.org under the Forms section.
• Submit your completed application by mail or in person within the correct window listed in the chart.

What if my anticipated retirement date is before January 1, 2026?
If your retirement date is before April 1, 2026, you may still follow the current 30 to 90 day submission window.
However, if your application is submitted on or after January 1, 2026, you must follow the new 60 to 90 day timeline—even if your retirement date is early in the year.
For example, an application submitted on January 1, 2026, would apply to a retirement date no earlier than April 1, 2026.

Still have questions?
Please refer to the chart to guide your retirement planning. If you have any questions or need personalized guidance:

• Call 443-984-9200 to speak with a retirement analyst
• Email us at contacters@bcers.org

We are here to help you navigate the retirement process with confidence and ease.