Checklist for preparing to request your state pension

 

At least four to six months before your retirement date, schedule pre-retirement counseling with the www.delawarepensions.com in Dover at the McCardle Bldg, 860 Silver Lake Blvd., Dover, DE at 739-4208 to discuss pension calculations, your benefits, purchasing service time, etc.

If you will be age 62 at the time of your retirement, contact your local SS office to determine your SS benefit.

Notify the personnel representative in your school or agency to begin the application process at least three months before you plan to retire.

Set up a time to come in to that office and bring with you the following documents:

  • a copy of your original birth certificate or one of the following:
    • a delayed birth record
    • a statement of birth from the Social Security Administration
    • statement of birth from the bureau of Vital Statistics
    • baptismal certificate
  • a copy of your marriage certificate
  • discharge papers or other acceptable personnel documents verifying full-time active military service if you are requesting pension service credit
  • two photocopies of your Social Security identification card
  • a copy of your Medicare card if either you or your spouse is over age 65
  • certification letter from former out-of-state employers verifying purchasable service credit
  • if filing for disability pension, medical information as determined by the State Pension Office

At that time you should make sure you complete the following forms:

  • application for Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage (basic coverage is paid by the State)
  • tax withholding authorization form
  • bank/credit union depository agreement for the direct deposit of your pension check
  • application for Blood Bank membership (state pays the yearly fee for State pensioners.) By the way, blood donations are not required after the age of 75.
  • beneficiary designation for the death benefit.
  • application for dental insurance.

If you are processing a survivor's application, all of the above documents (as applicable) must be submitted plus:

  • a copy of the death certificate
  • copy of each child's birth certificate if a pension is payable to a monor child or permanently disabled adult.
  • copy of appointment of guardian/trustee if a pension is payable to a monor child or permanently disabled adult.
  • statement from school or college, if applicable, verifying that the child is unmarried and is fully enrolled if the child is over 18, but not yet age 22.