Retirement Application Instructions
Return completed forms to: PO Box 26129 Santa Fe, NM 87502-0129 1(866) 691-2345
Member Information
Include your work and home telephone numbers so we can contact you if we have questions. List your most
recent NMERB employer even if you have been in an inactive status and indicate if you have had previous
employment with city, county or state government under the New Mexico Public Employees Retirement
Association (PERA). If you wish to receive the quarterly ERB newsletter and other updates via email, please
enter your email address in the space provided.
The beneficiary information must be completed if you wish an estimate based on the optional forms of payment. You
will make a final, irrevocable beneficiary determination when you receive your final retirement documents.
Inactive members only need to complete page 1 of the application.
Verification of Date of Birth
Verification of the member’s date of birth must accompany the retirement application. This verification may be a copy
of one of the following documents: birth certificate, delayed birth certificate, baptismal certificate, passport,
driver's license, certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaskan Native Blood (CDIB). If you are requesting Option B and
Option C calculations you must also include verification of date of birth for your beneficiary.
Effective Date of Retirement
The effective date of retirement of members completing the academic school year is July 1; otherwise, the
effective date of retirement may be the first day of the month following termination of employment or following receipt
of the retirement application by the ERB, whichever is later.
The original application should be filed 60 to 90 days prior to the effective date of retirement. Faxed applications are
not accepted.
Optional Forms of Benefit Payment
There are three optional forms of benefit payment; Option A, Option B, and Option C.
If the member selects Option A, there is no reduction to the monthly benefit and there is no continuing benefit due
a beneficiary or estate, except the balance, if any, of the contributions less benefits paid. The retirement benefit
ceases upon the member's death.
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If the member selects Option B, the monthly benefit is reduced to provide for a 100% survivor benefit. The IRS
prohibits the selection of Option B for a non-spouse beneficiary more than 10 years younger than the member.
If the member selects Option C, the monthly benefit is reduced to provide for a 50% survivor benefit.
The benefit reduction with an Option B or C form of payment is based on the age of the member and the age of the
beneficiary at the time of retirement. The decision is made in the Final Selection of Benefit form, which will be
included in your retirement documents packet.
Monthly Benefit Payments
For your convenience, the NMERB will electronically transfer your retirement benefit into your bank account or other
financial institution. This method has proven to be a safe and fast way of conducting this type of financial transaction.
Please note that your first benefit payment will be electronically sent to your selected financial institution
on the last business day of each month.
If the applicant is employed at the time the application is filed, the initial benefit payment will be an estimate based on
the salary information provided by the your employer before the final payment has been made to the member. After
final salary information has been reported to the NMERB, the benefit will be recalculated and retroactively adjusted if
necessary.
Community Property and Retirement Benefits
The retired member is not subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, except that any
portion awarded to a former spouse in a court decree is paid directly to the former spouse when directed by the courts.
Revised: 10/2018
Santa Fe Office: 701 Camino de los Marquez, Santa Fe, NM 87505 | Albuquerque Office: 8500 Blvd. NE Suite B-450, Alb., NM 87112