SURS State Universities Retirement System
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SURS State Universities Retirement System
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SURS State Universities Retirement System
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SURS Facts – Tier I Traditional and Portable Retirement Process Timeline

The timeline below reflects a typical retirement claim. However, delays may occur if there are issues receiving information from the member, employer, and/or reciprocal systems.

Please verify that the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) has your correct post-retirement email address on file, as we’ll send updates there as your application moves throughout the claim process. Retirement claims are finalized on a first-in, first-out basis. You may view the status of your claim anytime by logging into your secure SURS Member Website.

Timeframe Process
5–10 years prior to retirement Join a SURS retirement education seminar and/or webinar: Seminars and Webinars
1–5 years prior to retirement Contact SURS to request a counseling appointment. You are limited to one counseling session or written estimate every 12 months.
1 year prior to retirement Attend your last counseling appointment with SURS and gather all required documentation needed for filing.
60-90 days prior to retirement File your retirement application and all required documentation with SURS and any applicable reciprocal systems.
First day of the month after retirement

Generally, you will receive your first payment on the first day of the month following the effective date of your retirement. Your first payment will be a Preliminary Estimated Payment (PEP) because your claim will not yet be finalized. For more detailed information on the PEP payment, please refer to the applicable SURS Member Guide: https://surs.org/retirees.

Please note, the first PEP may be delayed if your application is not received by SURS at least 60 days prior to your Retirement Effective Date.
First month of retirement

SURS will begin requesting the following information from your employer:

  • Termination Date (last day of work)
  • Last Payroll Date
  • Vacation Payout (if applicable)
  • Unused/Unpaid Sick Days (if applicable)
  • Academic Contracts (if applicable)
  • Final Compensation Information
  • Part-time Percentages (if applicable)

SURS will continue requesting all necessary information from your employer until it is received. This process typically takes 2 to 4 months, but in some cases, can take longer.
Within the first 6 months of retirement SURS will continue gathering information from the employer and exchange information with any applicable reciprocal systems.
Approximately 6 months after retirement

On average, it takes six months or longer to finalize a claim. During this time, you will continue to be paid on the first day of each month.

When your retirement claim is finalized, you will receive a catch-up check for the difference between your PEP payments and the actual monthly benefit amount due you, retroactive to the effective date your benefit began.

The retirement finalization process may take longer if all required information is not received and/or if the member is retiring under the Reciprocal Act.