Can I leave my pension to anyone I wish?
  • If you are not married, you can leave the pension to anyone you wish.  Take into consideration, that if you leave your pension to a child, your amount will be greatly reduced based on life expectancy and the age difference between you and the child.
  • If you are married at the time of retirement, you will have to leave your pension to your spouse, unless your spouse opts out of taking the pension.  He or she can only opt out at the time of your retirement and would need to make an appointment and meet with the Retirement Manager.   
  • If you are separated, you will need to obtain a divorce before retiring if you don’t want the spouse to get your pension.

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1. How Do I Retire?
2. How much will my pension be at retirement?
3. What Does Vesting Mean?
4. Termination of employment (not eligible to retire)
5. Active Death Benefit
6. Unused Sick Leave Payout
7. Annual and Bonus Leave
8. Pension Service Time
9. What is a Service Retirement?
10. What is an Early Retirement?
11. What is a Deferred Retirement?
12. If I do not want to draw an early retirement, can I defer the pension?
13. What benefits can I carry into retirement?
14. Can I leave my pension to anyone I wish?
15. Can I change my pension beneficiary once I retire, if my spouse dies?
16. Which pension plan am I in?
17. What percent am I contributing to my retirement and can I increase the percentage and or amount?
18. Do I have to be in Shelby County’s Retirement Plan?
19. Do I have to do direct deposit?
20. How do I get a retirement badge?
21. Can I take funds out of my pension plan?
22. Am I eligible for a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)?
23. How is my pension calculated?
24. Can my spouse keep my health insurance if I die?