ORSSCHOOLS - How to Apply

ORS — Public School Employees Retirement System

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>	Estimating Your Pension

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>	Choosing a Date

>	Working After You Retire

>	How to Apply

	Proving Your Age


>	What to Expect After You Apply

>	Your Insurance Benefits

>	Retirement at a Glance

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How to Apply

When to Apply

Submit your application forms and proofs 3-6 months before your retirement effective date.

Glossary of Terms

You've made the decision, and set the date. Contact ORS to request a retirement application packet. In addition to the required forms, the packet will contain up-to-date information about the plan's group health, dental, vision, and long-term care insurances.

You should mail your completed retirement application forms to ORS at least three months but not more than six months before your retirement effective date.

Note: Don't delay filing your application! You will lose retroactive benefits if you file more than 12 months after you become eligible for pension payments.

What you will need.

All required forms and documentation must accompany your Application for Retirement. If a required form is missing or incomplete, or if all required documentation is not submitted with your application, your materials will be returned to you. Please read all directions carefully, sign where necessary (including spouse's signature where required), and use this checklist to be sure it is complete before you submit it to ORS. Make sure all forms requiring notarization are signed in the presence of a notary public.

Note: Be sure to write the applicant's name and last four digits of the social security number at the top of any documentation / proofs you submit.

Forms

When Required / Special Notes

Application for Retirement	Required.
Election of Pension Option	Required. No corrections or visible erasures are permitted. If you are married and elect a straight life option, or elect a survivor option and name a beneficiary other than your spouse, your spouse must also sign the form and have his/her signature witnessed and signed by a notary public.
Electronic Funds Transfer (Direct Deposit) Application	Required. Complete whether choosing or refusing electronic funds transfer.
Group Insurance Application	Required. Complete whether declining or enrolling in the insurance offerings.
HMO Application	Required if you are enrolling in one of the HMOs. Contact the HMO for an enrollment form and submit it along with the completed Group Insurance Application form.
Pension Recipient's Federal Income Tax Withholding Authorization	Recommended. See instructions on the form.

Documentation

When Required / Special Notes

Proof of Age - Self	Required. Click here to see acceptable proofs of age.
Proof of Age - Pension Beneficiary	Required if you checked a survivor option on your Election of Pension Option form. Click here to see acceptable proofs of age.
Proof of Medicare - Insurance Enrollee	Required for any person enrolling in health insurance who is under age 65 and covered under Medicare. Acceptable proof: A photocopy of the Medicare card.
Proof of Dependency - Insurance Dependents	Required if your insurance dependent is age 19 or older. Acceptable proofs: Your most recent 1040 tax form listing the dependent. (For children age 24 or older, provide the child's most recent tax return or a signed statement declaring his or her current year expected income.)
Proof of School Attendance - Insurance Dependents	Required if your insurance dependent is a full-time student age 19 or older. Acceptable proofs: A student transcript or tuition receipt showing he or she meets the school's standards for full-time attendance.
Proof of Disability - Insurance Dependents	Required if your insurance dependent is a disabled child age 19 or older. Acceptable proofs: A statement on the attending physician's letterhead certifying the child is disabled and incapable of self-sustaining employment.
Proof of Legal Guardianship - Insurance Dependents	Required if your insurance dependent is a child for whom you are legal guardian. Acceptable proofs: Legal guardianship papers issued by a court.
Social Security Statement	Required if you checked an equated plan on your Election of Pension Option form. When you request the statement from the Social Security Administration, be sure to include any projected wages through the date you retire. It's important that the estimate is as accurate as possible because it affects your equated pension amount.