DELAWARE STATE EMPLOYEES'
PENSION PLAN BOOKLET
(SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION)
AS IN EFFECT 7/1/2001
FOREWORD
The information in this booklet is very important
to the security of you and your family! As a member of our Delaware State Employees'
Pension Plan, we strongly urge you to take the time to read it and to familiarize yourself
with your rights, privileges, and obligations.
This booklet is meaningful to you whether you are a new State
employee, one active with years of service, or one who is nearing and planning retirement.
The Pension Plan Law is necessarily written in legal language;
therefore, this booklet has been prepared in lay language to help you better understand
its provisions. The following pages should be informative to you and, it is hoped, will
answer most questions you may have about your Plan.
Our office wants to be of assistance to all active and retired
members of the Plan. Therefore, if you have questions or need assistance in any of your
retirement plan matters, we would be pleased to be of service to you either directly or
through the business or personnel office of your agency or school.
We strongly recommend that you contact the Office of Pensions as
soon as you are ready to begin planning for your retirement.
Office of Pensions
McArdle Building
860 Silver Lake Blvd., Suite 1
Dover, Delaware 19904-2402
Telephone: Delaware (302) 739-4208
When Calling Long Distance Toll Free # 1-800-722-7300
Fax # (302) 739-6129
Web Address: www.delawarepensions.com
Email Address: pensionoffice@state.de.us
NOTE: This booklet is only applicable to employees
covered under the Delaware State Employees' Pension Plan. Nothing in this booklet is meant
to extend or change in any way the provisions expressed in the Plan. If there is any
conflict between a provision in this booklet and the Plan (Chapter 55, Title 29, Delaware
Code), the Plan controls.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. MEMBERSHIP -
ELIGIBILITY
You are a member of the State Pension Plan if you are a
full-time or regular part-time employee of:
- the State
- the State Department of Education (formerly Department of Public
Instruction)
- a School District
- the University of Delaware (excluding most faculty and designated
professional staff)
- Delaware State University
- Delaware Technical & Community College
- Solid Waste Authority
- Office of Disciplinary Council
- Prothonotary's Office
- a State Agency supported in whole or part by federal funds granted to
the State.
You are a "full-time employee" if you are employed in a
position which requires at least 130 hours per month for at least 9 months during a period
of 12 consecutive months.
You are a "regular part-time employee" if you are either
(a) employed in a position which requires at least 50 hours per month for at least 9
months during a period of 12 consecutive months, or (b) employed in a position where the
rate of pay is at least $200 per month for at least 9 months during a period of 12
consecutive months. You are regarded as an "employee" during the period
you are on an approved leave of absence.
There are six exceptions. You are not eligible to be a member if:
- you are a member of any other State of Delaware Pension Plan
- you are a member of a municipal retirement system financed in whole
or part by the State of Delaware
- you are a member of a county retirement system financed in whole or
part by the State of Delaware
- you are a participant in the federal C.E.T.A. Program or other
similar programs
- you are employed as a "temporary employee"
- the primary employment function is to be a student.
You are a "temporary employee" if you are not employed on
a full-time or regular part-time basis as defined above or you are employed on a temporary
basis as a substitute or casual/seasonal.
BREAK IN SERVICE
If you leave State service before you have acquired five consecutive
years of creditable service, your service credits will be canceled. They will be restored
if:
- your discontinuance of employment is due to absence on account of
military service, disability, or approved leave, and you again become an employee within
four months following the completion of such military service, disability, or approved
leave, or
- you again become an employee within four months after you leave State
employment, or
- you again become an employee within two years after you are
involuntarily terminated from State employment, or
- you subsequently acquire five consecutive years of credited service,
provided that you repay any contributions you have withdrawn plus interest.
If you cease to be an employee after you have acquired five
consecutive years of credited service, you are fully vested and qualify for a pension at
retirement age, unless you withdraw your accumulated contributions. Upon termination, a
vested pension application or a withdrawal form must be filed by your school or agency
personnel office.
If you receive a refund of your contributions and subsequently
return to State employment, you should contact the Pension Office for information relative
to the options available to you regarding prior service credit.
MEMBER IDENTIFICATION
Your Social Security number and your EMPLID number are your Plan
identification numbers. To assure proper identification and prompt service, always include
your Social Security number in addition to your full name, mailing address, phone number,
and signature in all communications concerning your pension status.
CONTRIBUTIONS
You contribute 3% of that portion of your annual compensation which
exceeds $6,000 per calendar year. Effective January 1, 1993, the Federal and State income
tax on your contributions is tax deferred pursuant to Section 414(h)(2) of the United
States Internal Revenue Code.
2. BENEFIT
ELIGIBILITY
VESTED PENSION
You are fully vested after five (5) consecutive years of earned
credited service and qualify for a pension at retirement age.
SERVICE PENSION
You are eligible for a service pension beginning the month after you
leave employment if:
- you are at least 62 years of age and terminate service after June
30,1988 with at least five consecutive years of credited service, not counting any claimed
or purchased service other than purchased service for sabbatical leave and military
service (interrupting employment), or
- you are at least 60 years of age and have at least 15 years of
credited service, not counting any claimed or purchased service other than purchased
service for sabbatical leave and military service (interrupting employment), or
- you have 30 years of credited service.
EARLY RETIREMENT
You may retire with a reduced service pension if you have reached
age 55 and have at least 15 years of credited service, not counting any claimed or
purchased service other than purchased service for sabbatical leave and military service
(interrupting employment). However, in order to reflect the longer period of time over
which payments will be made, your pension is the regular service pension calculation,
reduced by 0.2% for each month you are under age 60 when you retire.
You may retire with a reduced service pension, regardless of age, if
you have at least 25 years of credited service, not counting any claimed or purchased
service other than purchased service for sabbatical leave and military service
(interrupting employment). However, in order to reflect the longer period of time over
which payments will be made, your pension is the regular service pension calculation,
reduced by 0.2% for each month that you are short of 30 years of credited service.
DISABILITY PENSION
Eligibility
If you become disabled, you are eligible to apply for a disability
pension if you have completed five consecutive years of credited service, not counting any
claimed or purchased service other than purchased service for sabbatical leave and
military service (interrupting employment). Your application is subject to the approval
and review of the Medical Committee of the Board of Pension Trustees. During the
application process, you will be kept on the active payroll from the inception of your
disability to the end of the third full month during which you will receive payments at
the same rate of compensation you received before you became disabled. You will receive
service credit for this period; however, it cannot be used for eligibility purposes.
Your eligibility ceases at the end of the month in which you recover
and are offered employment as an employee. Termination of a disability pension does not
affect your right to qualify for a regular pension or another disability pension.
Proof
You are considered eligible for a disability pension if you have a
physical or mental disability which prevents you from performing the duties of your
position. If you apply for a disability pension, your examining physician must submit a
report on a form supplied by the Office of Pensions. The Medical committee of the Board of
Pension Trustees then reviews your case and makes a recommendation to the Executive
Secretary to the Board of Pension Trustees, who either grants or denies the application.
Post-Disability Earnings
Your disability pension will be reduced to the extent that earnings
from any gainful occupation or business after you become disabled exceed one-half of your
annual rate of compensation received before you became disabled, adjusted annually by any
percentage increase in the total "Median Usual Weekly Earnings" as published by
the U.S. Department of Labor. Until you are age 60, you must report annually to the Board
of Pension Trustees by April 30 the total of such earnings for the previous calendar year.
A form for this purpose will be supplied by the Office of Pensions. After age 60, no
earnings limitation applies.
SURVIVOR BENEFITS
Joint and Survivor Option
At the time of your retirement, you may make an irrevocable election
to have your pension reduced by 3% in order to provide your eligible survivor a pension
equal to three-fourths of your reduced pension rather than one-half of the pension you
would have been eligible to receive.
If you die while an active employee after you have acquired five
consecutive years of credited service not counting any claimed or purchased service other
than purchased service for sabbatical leave and military service (interrupting
employment), your eligible survivor will be paid a survivor's pension beginning the month
following your death. The amount of the pension will be three-fourths of the reduced
service pension you would have been eligible to receive.
If you die while receiving a service or disability pension, the
pension payable to your eligible survivor or survivors, beginning the month following your
death, will be equal to either one-half or three-fourths of the disability or service
pension you are receiving, depending on the survivor election made at time of retirement.
If you die while not in active service and have a vested right to a
pension, your eligible survivor will be eligible to receive a survivor pension equal to
one-half of the service pension you would have been entitled to receive. The survivor's
pension will begin with the month you would have been eligible to receive such pension.
Eligible Survivor
An eligible survivor in the order of priority as established by law
is as follows:
- surviving spouse;
- unmarried child or children either under age 18 or between age 18 and
22, and attending school on a full-time basis, or over age 18 but permanently disabled
before age 18;
- dependent parent who was receiving one-half of his or her support
from you at the time of your death.
You may change the order of priority by filing a notarized form with
the Board of Pension Trustees.
Surviving Spouse Under 50
If your spouse is under age 50 at the time of your death, the
survivor's pension will be actuarially reduced for each month he or she is under age 50.
However, this reduction will not apply for any period during which your surviving spouse
is caring for an unmarried child either under age 18 or between ages 18 and 22 and
attending school on a full-time basis, or over age 18 but permanently disabled before age
18.
DEATH BENEFITS
Contributions
If you die leaving no eligible survivors, your beneficiary(ies) will
be paid a lump sum equal to the excess, if any, of your accumulated contributions with
interest less all pension payments made, including survivor's benefits. You may designate
a beneficiary by completing a P-1 Actuarial form. This form should be updated to reflect
any changes in your marital status or dependent children. If there is no designated
beneficiary, the sum will be paid to your estate.
Post-Retirement Group Life Insurance
At the time of your retirement, you will have the opportunity to
designate a beneficiary(ies) to receive a lump sum payment of $7,000 at the time of your
death. If there is no designated beneficiary, the $7,000 would be paid to your estate.
REFUND OF CONTRIBUTIONS
Upon application, your accumulated contributions with interest will
be paid to you when you leave State employment. Withdrawal of your contributions will
terminate your membership in the Plan and will void any rights you have to future benefits
in the Plan. This refund will not be made to you within 90 days following the receipt of
your last check.
The State is required by federal law to withhold 20% of the taxable
portion of your refund that is eligible for rollover distribution, unless you choose to
have that portion of the refund subject to withholding made payable directly to your IRA
or to another employer plan that accepts rollovers.
In addition, any refund from the Plan prior to you obtaining age 59
1/2 years will be subject by the Internal Revenue Service to a 10% penalty for early
withdrawal.
WORK RESTRICTION
You cannot receive a pension from the Plan during any month you are
an employee of the State, unless you are:
- an official elected by popular vote at a regular State election, or
- an official appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, or
- a temporary employee whose earnings from such temporary employment do
not exceed the amount of earned income allowed by the U.S. Social Security Administration
without affecting Social Security benefits. If a temporary employee does exceed the
allowable earned income, his State pension shall be reduced using the same formula as used
by the U.S. Social Security Administration to reduce social security benefits for such
excess earnings.
- A registration or election official, or a juror.
- A substitute teacher employed by a school district in the State of
Delaware.
Service as an employee of the State after you retire is governed by
the Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board. Please contact the Pension Office before
accepting employment.
3. CREDITABLE SERVICE
GENERAL
Creditable service is used to determine both your eligibility for
retirement benefits and the amount of these benefits.
Creditable service represents periods of employment that are either
earned, claimed, or purchased. Special rules apply to periods of Worker's Compensation.
The following describes the types of service credit which may be
earned, claimed, or purchased:
EARNED SERVICE
You earn one month of creditable service for each month during a
year in which you are an employee who works in a position which is full-time or regular
part-time (see definitions under Section 1). As of January 1, 1999, service credit
will be granted on a day-for-day basis, which will allow for compliance with the law
regarding leaves and corresponding service.
No more than one year of service is creditable for all employment in
one year.
CLAIMED SERVICE
Military Service (Pre-Employment )
If you were hired into a pension-covered position before July 1,
1976, you may receive service credit for up to five years of full-time active duty in the
Armed Forces of the United States. However, you must have become an employee within 5
years after completion of your tour of duty or after completion of a course of
professional or vocational training (if such course was begun within 5 years of completion
of tour of duty).
A course of professional or vocational training is defined as one
leading to a certificate, diploma, or degree and offered by a public or private non-profit
or proprietary institution approved by the Department of Education. You must have been
enrolled on a continuous, full-time basis and completed the course of instruction.
The five-year period does not apply to full-time officers and
members of the National Guard of the State who were active members of the Pension Plan on
July 1, 1970.
Military Service (Interrupting Employment )
If you are called into active service or volunteer for active
service in the Armed Forces or the National Guard of the State while you are a member of
the Plan and you return to covered employment with the State within 90 days after
discharge, you will receive full creditable service for such full-time continuous, active
military service.
PURCHASED SERVICE
The following types of service may be purchased for credit:
Sabbatical Leave
Professional educational employees certified by the Department of
Education will receive service credit for periods of sabbatical leave. Other employees may
receive credit for an approved sabbatical leave if they make contributions to the Plan
equal to the employee contributions and the State's contribution, which would otherwise
have been made if they had continued to work.
Professional Educational Employment
Subject to the conditions listed below, you may purchase up to four
years of service credit for professional educational employment, which means full-time
employment for another State, a municipality in another state, the Federal Government, or
an accredited private school or college anywhere in the world. It does not include
part-time employment as a graduate teaching assistant or employment after you begin
receiving pension checks from the Fund. An accredited private school or college is one
which is recognized by the Department of Education.
To be eligible, you must have become a school teacher, professional
administrative or supervisory employee, or school nurse employed in a public school, the
State Department of Education, the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, or
Delaware Technical and Community College, and have been hired into a pension-covered
position prior to July 1, 1976.
In addition, you must pay to the Plan 5% of your final average
compensation for each month to be credited. The credit purchased cannot be used to
determine eligibility for a reduced service pension.
Military Service
You may purchase up to five years of credit for full-time active
duty in the Armed Forces, by paying into the Plan an amount equal to the actuarial value
of the credits purchased as determined by the Board of Pension Trustees. The credits
purchased cannot be used to determine eligibility for a pension.
Other Governmental Service
You may purchase up to five years of credit for full-time employment
performed for another state, a political subdivision of another state, the federal
government, an accredited private school or college anywhere in the world, or service with
the State of Delaware for which you will not receive credit in another Delaware State,
county, or municipal pension plan. The amount is equal to the actuarial value of the
credits purchased. The credits purchased cannot be used to determine eligibility for a
pension.
Limitations
You may not acquire more than 10 years of credited service for
military service, other governmental service, and professional educational employment.
Medical Leave
You may purchase credit for an approved medical leave (including
maternity leave of up to one year). For this credit you must pay an amount which will be
determined by the Pension Office at the time you retire. The credit purchased cannot be
used to determine eligibility for a pension.
Personal Leave
You may purchase credit for an approved personal leave. For this
credit, you must pay an amount which will be determined by the Pension Office at the time
you retire. The credit purchased cannot be used to determine eligibility for a pension.
4. BENEFIT COMPUTATION
Your pension amount is primarily based on your years of credited
service (to the nearest 1/12 of a year) and your Final Average Compensation. Your Final
Average Compensation is 1/36 of the total compensation paid to you during the three
periods of 12 consecutive months during which your compensation was the highest.
Your monthly benefit is computed using two separate calculations.
Calculation No. 1 is computed be multiplying your Final Average Compensation
(F.A.C.) times 2 % to equal Factor No. 1. Calculation No. 2 is computed by
multiplying your F.A.C. times 1.85% to equal Factor No. 2. Factor No. 1 is then
multiplied by your years of service prior to January 1, 1997 (to the nearest 1/12 of a
year). Factor No. 2 is then multiplied by your years of service after December 31,
1996 (to the nearest 1/12 of a year). The calculation using Factor No. 1 is added to
the calculation using Factor No. 2 to determine your gross monthly pension benefit.
The calculation is subject to minimal limitations.
The pension payable to your eligible survivor(s) is equal to either
one-half or three-fourths of the reduced pension you were entitled to receive at the time
of your death.
In the case of an early retirement pension, the amount computed by
the formula is reduced by 0.2% for each month you are under age 60 or 0.2% for each month
that you are short of 30 years of credited service.
MINIMUMS
If you have at least 15 years of earned service at the time of
retirement, including some service prior to June 1970, the minimum pension payable is the
lesser of $150 per month or your Final Average Compensation.
If you do not have 15 years of such service and you first entered
State service after May 1970, but prior to July 1976, the minimum pension payable is $5
multiplied by your years of service up to a maximum of 30 years.
If you were hired after June 30, 1976, there is no minimum pension
benefit except for a guarantee that you will get at least $1.00 per month for each year of
creditable service.
TAX TREATMENT OF BENEFITS
To determine the proportionate part of the total amount received
each year which is non-taxable, an exclusion ratio will be determined by using tables
provided by the Internal Revenue Service. This ratio is determined by dividing your
employee contributions which were subject to tax by the number of months pension benefits
are expected to be received based on your age at retirement. The dollar exclusion will be
calculated by the Pension Office when you begin to receive your pension benefit.
5. EXAMPLES
($.00 OMITTED)
As of July 1, 2001
EXAMPLE #1
Employee retiring at age 60 with 30 years of service and a Final
Average Compensation (F.A.C.) of $1,000 per month. This employee
has 25.5 years of service prior to 1/1/97 and 4.5 years of service after 12/31/96.
| $1,000 (F.A.C.) x 2% x 25.5 years |
= |
$510 |
| $1,000 (F.A.C.) x 1.85% x 4.5 years |
= |
83 |
Monthly Benefit |
|
$593 |
Employee will receive a State pension benefit of $593
per month. Upon the death of the employee, his or her eligible survivor will receive a
State pension benefit equal to either one-half or three-fourths of the pension the
employee is eligible to receive at the time of his or her death.
EXAMPLE #2
Employee retiring at age 60 with 15 years of service and a Final
Average Compensation (F.A.C.) of $2,000 per month. The employee has 10.5
years of service prior to 1/1/97 and 4.5 years of service after 12/31/96.
| $2,000 (F.A.C.) x 2% x 10.5 years |
= |
$420 |
| $2,000 (F.A.C.) x 1.85% x 4.5 years |
= |
166 |
Monthly Benefit |
|
$586 |
Employee will receive a State pension benefit of $586
per month. Upon the death of the employee, his or her eligible survivor will receive a
State pension benefit equal to either one-half or three-fourths of the pension the
employee is eligible to receive at the time of his or her death.
EXAMPLE #3
Employee retiring at age 60 with 40 years of service and a Final
Average Compensation (F.A.C.) of $2,000 per month. This employee
has 35.5 years of service prior to 1/1/97 and 4.5 years of service after 12/31/96.
| $2,000 (F.A.C.) x 2% x 35.5 years |
= |
$1,420 |
| $2,000 (F.A.C.) x 1.85% x 4.5 years |
= |
166 |
Monthly Benefit |
|
$1,586 |
Employee will receive a State pension benefit of $1,586
per month. Upon the death of the employee, his or her eligible survivor will receive a
State pension benefit equal to either one-half or three-fourths of the pension the
employee is eligible to receive at the time of his or her death.
DISABILITY PENSION
Example #4
Employee becomes disabled at age 50 with 15 years of service and a
Final Average Compensation (F.A.C.) of $1,000 per month. The employee has 10.5 years of service prior to 1/1/97 and 4.5 years
of service after 12/31/96.
| $1,000 (F.A.C.) x 2% x 10.5 years |
= |
$210 |
| $1,000 (F.A.C.) x 1.85% x 4.5 years |
= |
83 |
Monthly Benefit |
|
$293 |
Employee will receive a State pension benefit of $293
per month. Upon the death of the employee, his or her eligible survivor will receive a
State pension benefit equal to either one-half or three-fourths of the pension the
employee is eligible to receive at the time of his or her death.
VESTED SERVICE PENSION
Example #5
Employee leaves State employment at age 45 with 15 years of service
and a Final Average Compensation (F.A.C.) of $1,000 per month. This employee has 10.5 years of service prior to 1/1/97 and 4.5
years of service after 12/31/96
| $1,000 (F.A.C.) x 2% x 10.5 years |
= |
$210 |
| $1,000 (F.A.C.) x 1.85% x 4.5 years |
= |
83 |
Monthly Benefit |
|
$293 |
Employee will receive a State pension benefit, when
he or she reaches age 62 of $293 per month. If the employee dies prior to
his or her retirement date, the eligible survivor will be eligible to receive a pension
equal to one-half of the service pension the employee would have been entitled to receive.
The survivor's pension will begin with the month the employee would have been eligible to
receive a benefit.
EARLY RETIREMENT PENSION
Example #6
Employee retires at age 55 with 15 years of service and a Final
Average Compensation (F.A.C.) of $1,000 per month. This employee
has 10.5 years of service prior to 1/1/97 and 4.5 years of service after 12/31/96.
| $1,000 (F.A.C.) x 2% x 10.5 years |
= |
$210 |
| $1,000 (F.A.C.) x 1.85% x 4.5 years |
= |
83 |
Benefit prior to
reduction |
|
$293 |
Less: Actuarial Reduction of 12%
(0.2% x 60 months under age 60 x $293) |
|
- 35 |
Reduced Monthly Benefit |
|
$258 |
Employee will receive a State pension benefit of $258
per month. Upon the death of the employee, his or her eligible survivor will
receive a State pension benefit equal to either one-half or three-fourths of the pension
the employee is eligible to receive at the time of his or her death.
Example #7
Employee retires at age 53 with 27 years of service and a Final
Average Compensation (F.A.C.) of $1,000 per month. This employee
has 22.5 years of service prior to 1/1/97 and 4.5 years of service after 12/31/96.
| $1,000 (F.A.C.) x 2% x 22.5 years |
= |
$450 |
| $1,000 (F.A.C.) x 1.85% x 4.5 years |
= |
83 |
Benefit prior to
reduction |
|
$533 |
Less: Actuarial Reduction of 7.2%
(0.2% x 36months under 30 years x $533) |
|
- 38 |
Reduced Monthly Benefit |
|
$495 |
Employee will receive a State pension benefit of $495
per month. Upon the death of the employee, his or her eligible survivor will receive a
State pension benefit equal to either one-half or three-fourths of the pension the
employee is eligible to receive at the time of his or her death.
6. UNIVERSITY
OF DELAWARE
MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
You are a member of the State pension plan if you are a full-time or
regular part-time employee of the University of Delaware (excluding most faculty and
designated professional staff).
BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY
If you meet the membership eligibility requirements stated above, or
are a faculty member, or a designated professional staff employee who chose to remain in
the Plan prior to January 1, 1975, or a staff employee who became a professional employee
and continued to make the required contributions, you are eligible for pension benefits
under the same rules as other State employees covered by the Plan.
However, if you are a faculty member or a designated professional
staff employee who chose to cease coverage under the Plan but left your accumulated
contributions in the Fund, you may be eligible for certain pension benefits. Please
contact the Pension Office for the benefit eligibility rules.
7. HEALTH
CARE
For eligible pensioners who were first employed by the State in a
pension creditable position before July 1, 1991, the State will pay 100%
of the normal monthly employer share.
For eligible pensioners who were first employed by the State in a pension creditable position on or after July 1, 1991 (except for those receiving
disability pensions), the State shall pay a portion of the normal monthly employer share
based on the number of years of creditable service at the time of retirement.
- Eligible pensioners employed by the State for less than 10
years at the time of retirement, you are eligible to participate in the group
health plan; however, none of the monthly employer share will be paid by the State.
- Eligible pensioners employed by the State for at least 10
years but less than 15 years at the time of retirement, 50% of
the monthly employer share will be paid by the State.
- Eligible pensioners employed by the State for at least 15
years but less than 20 years at the time of retirement, 75% of
the monthly employer share will be paid by the State.
- Eligible pensioners employed by the State for at least 20
years at the time of retirement, 100% of the monthly employer
share will be paid by the State.
For disability pensioners, the State will continue to pay 100% of
the monthly employer share regardless of years of creditable service.
8. APPLYING
FOR A PENSION
SERVICE, DISABILITY, OR VESTED APPLICATION
At least three months before you plan to retire, you should contact
your personnel representative in your school or agency to begin the application process.
The following documents, as applicable, must accompany the application for benefits:
- Copy of your original certificate of birth or one of the following:
a. Delayed record of birth
b. Statement of birth as established by Social Security Administration
c. Statement of birth as issued by Bureau of Vital Statistics
d. Baptismal Certificate (as infant)
(If married, copy of spouse's birth certificate, for future
survivor pension purposes)
- Copy of your marriage certificate. All employees are required to file
this document as evidence of their name change. Employees may file it for use by the
Office of Pensions for the purpose of establishing eligibility for a survivor's pension.
- Discharge papers or other acceptable personnel documents verifying
full-time active military service if pension service credit is requested.
- Certification letter from former employer verifying other purchasable
service credit.
- One copy of your signed Social Security
Identification card. If applicable, copy of spouse's Social Security Identification
card for survivor pension purposes and dependent's Social Security Identification card if
covered by health insurance.
- Copy of Medicare card. If you are, or your spouse is, over age
sixty-five (65) or Medicare eligible, a copy of the Medicare card is needed to ensure
proper health care coverage.
- Medical information as requested by the Office of Pensions at the
time of your filing for disability pension.
- Beneficiary designation for life insurance after retirement (G.L. 1).
- Joint and Survivor Retirement Benefit card (JSB-1).
- TWE form (Tax Withholding Election)
- DA Form (Pensioner's Bank/Credit Union Deposit Authorization) -
mandatory for all pensioners with an effective date on or after January 1, 1996.
An application must be filed by the pensioner indicating acceptance
or refusal of the following coverage offered in the Pension Group.
- Health Care - each pensioner, spouse, and eligible child is eligible
for membership in the State group.
- Dental Health
- Blood Bank
SURVIVOR'S APPLICATION
All of the above documents must be submitted (as applicable) plus
the following:
- Certified Copy of Death Certificate
- Copy of each child's birth certificate. This is needed only if
pension is payable to a child or to a widow/widower who is under age 50 and has an
eligible child in his/her care.
- Copy of appointment of guardian/trustee. This is needed if pension is
payable to minor children or a permanently disabled child (supporting medical information
is also required).
- Statement from school or college as applicable, verifying that child
is unmarried and enrolled full-time in school or college. This is needed only if the child
is over age 18, but not yet age 22.
Nothing in this booklet is meant to extend or change in any
way the provisions expressed in the Plan. If there is any conflict between a provision in
this booklet and the Plan (Chapter 55, Title 29, Delaware Code), the Plan controls.
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