There are several factors that may optimize your monthly
retirement benefit.
Your Birthday
Retiring on your birthday, or immediately following your
birthday, or at any three month interval after your birthday is
an optimal time to retire because your age is counted in
quarter years for the calculation of your benefit (up to 60
for general members and 50 for safety members).
Cost of Living Increase (COLA)
For Tier 1 members only, an annual cost of living increase is
effective on April 1st of each year, as approved by the Board of
Retirement.
Selling Any Vacation or Sick Leave in the 25th Pay
Period
If you are a member and plan to retire within the next year
(for Tier I) or next three years (Tiers 2 and 3) selling any
vacation or sick leave during the 25th pay period will increase
your final average compensation. Please note that Terminal
Pay is no longer allowed to be used in the calculation of
MercedCERA’s benefits.
