Human Resources

Getting Ready to Retire

You’ve been saving for retirement all these years and now the time has finally come. You are ready to retire, but where do you start? It can be a scary transition for retirees. Once you have made the decision to stop working, there are still many decisions to make. We have gathered a number of resources to help you on your way and to ease the transition from employment to retirement. We encourage you to attend a retiree orientation.

Retirement Stability

Any time is a good time to start saving for the future, and using the three-legged-stool approach to saving provides a strong and stable foundation for a more secure retirement. Your defined benefit with the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) or your defined contribution plan through the Optional Retirement Program provides one important leg of retirement security. In addition, a strong retirement plan includes Social Security and personal savings.

There a a few steps to take as you approach retirement:

  • Identify the retirement plan in which you are currently enrolled
  • Determine your eligibility for retirement
  • Plan for health insurance during retirement
  • Estimate income from your retirement plan
  • Estimate your social security
  • Analyze unused personal and major leave to determine how many days are available to send to PERS and how many personal days remain
  • Utilize our checklist
  • Notify your supervisor
RETIREMENT ORIENTATION

These comprehensive orientation sessions cover every aspect of your retirement from Delta State University, provide the opportunity for you to ask questions and hear others’ questions that you may not have thought to ask. Orientations are generally held every other month. Please register if you plan to attend so that we can ensure there are enough seats and materials for everyone.


PERS Retirement Planning

PERS offers Retirement Education Seminars, Focus Sessions, and PERS on the Move Seminars to help you plan for retirement. Each session provides you with information on PERS benefits and options, as well as an individual estimate of benefits (by employer request only at PERS on the Move) to help you make an informed decision regarding your benefit option selection. PERS provides year-long schedules and online registration for Retirement Education Seminars and Focus Sessions. To find training schedules and to register, visit www.pers.ms.gov.

Early Career/New Employee Seminars

Early Career/New Employee Seminars offer an overview of being in a defined benefit plan. These seminars are held on-site at each individual employer’s location. To request this seminar, e-mail retirementeducation@pers.ms.gov.

Retirement Education Seminars
Pre-Retirement Full-Day Seminars offer general information on such topics as estate planning, Mississippi Government Employees’ Deferred Compensation Plan & Trust (MDC), Social Security
benefits, and PERS benefits and options. Visit PERS online for the current schedule and locations and to register.

Focus Sessions
Focus Sessions are small-group sessions conducted Tuesdays and Thursdays (except state holidays) at the PERS office. The sessions provide comprehensive information about benefits, available benefit options, and information on the retirement process. Visit the PERS website to register.

PERS on the Move

Hosted by and at the request of employers, PERS on the Move Seminars are held during or after regular office hours to provide information regarding PERS and Mississippi Government  Employees’ Deferred Compensation Plan & Trust (MDC).