SDRS

Foundation Member Eligibility for Retirement

To be entitled to retirement benefits, a member must have a minimum of three years of contributory service. Unreduced retirement benefits are available once you reach your normal retirement age or meet the requirements for special early retirement. Under special early retirement, you become eligible for unreduced retirement benefits when certain combinations of age and years of service are met (i.e. meeting your Rule). Reduced retirement benefits can be drawn once you attain your minimum retirement age. No retirement benefits are payable to you before you attain your minimum retirement age.

SDRS Foundation Member Retirement Eligibility
	Normal Retirement (unreduced benefit)	Early Retirement (reduced benefit)	Special Early Retirement (unreduced benefit)
Class A	Age 65	As early as age 55	Rule of 85
Class B Public Safety	Age 55	As early as age 45	Rule of 75
Class B Judicial	Age 65	As early as age 55	Rule of 80

Special Early Retirement: You can retire earlier than your normal retirement age and receive an unreduced benefit if you meet certain age and credited service requirements. The chart below, separated by class of service, shows the specific combinations of age and credited service that will produce an unreduced benefit if you retire early and begin payments:

Meeting Your Rule: Requirements for Special Early Retirement
Class A (Rule of 85)	Class B Public Safety (Rule of 75)	Class B Judicial (Rule of 80)
Age 55 with 30 years	Age 45 with 30 years	Age 55 with 25 years
Age 56 with 29 years	Age 46 with 29 years	Age 56 with 24 years
Age 57 with 28 years	Age 47 with 28 years	Age 57 with 23 years
Age 58 with 27 years	Age 48 with 27 years	Age 58 with 22 years
Age 59 with 26 years	Age 49 with 26 years	Age 59 with 21 years
Age 60 with 25 years	Age 50 with 25 years	Age 60 with 20 years
Age 61 with 24 years	Age 51 with 24 years	Age 61 with 19 years
Age 62 with 23 years	Age 52 with 23 years	Age 62 with 18 years
Age 63 with 22 years	Age 53 with 22 years	Age 63 with 17 years
Age 64 with 21 years	Age 54 with 21 years	Age 64 with 16 years

Early Retirement - Percent of Benefit Payable: If you do not meet the requirements for special early retirement, you may choose to begin drawing your retirement benefit prior to reaching your normal retirement age at a reduced rate. The amount of reduction depends upon your age and years of credited service when payments begin. If you choose to retire prior to your normal retirement age, your benefits will be permanently reduced by 1/4 of 1% for each full month (or 3% for each full year) between your benefit commencement and the date you will reach your normal retirement age or the date you will meet your special early retirement requirements, if applicable.

To learn more about determining your retirement benefit: Determining Your Retirement Benefit page

For more detailed information regarding retirement eligibility, consult your Class Handbook or contact SDRS toll-free at 1-888-605-SDRS (7377).