Retirement Cover Letter
Retirement cover letter, retirement information
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Prior to submitting your application for retirement, it is recommended that you contact the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board (NMERB) at (505) 585-3510 or 1-800-663-1919 to confirm your eligibility and request a retirement benefit estimate. APS does not provide retirement benefit estimates. If you are eligible to retire from APS, follow the steps outlined below.
Complete and submit your retirement application at least 60 days prior to the effective date of your retirement, but not more than 90 days prior.
JULY 1 / AUGUST 1 Retirements: The APS Employee Benefits Office will receive July 1 / August 1 retirement packets starting MARCH 1, not earlier; processing will start April 1 (90 days before July 1). Employees who work through the end of their current full-year contract are considered July 1 retirees; anyone planning to work a Summer School assignment will be an August 1 retiree.
Simple Retirement Steps
- Application for Retirement - Complete Section 1 of the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board (NMERB) Application for Retirement. Only name a beneficiary if you are interested in Option B or C benefits Attach a copy of your birth certificate Include a copy of your beneficiary's birth certificate only If you would like an estimate for Option B and C.
- Letter to APS Superintendent - Write a retirement letter to the Superintendent with the following information: your name, home address, social security number, work location name, job title, employee number, and last day of active employment and date of retirement. A sample letter to the superintendent (PDF) is enclosed in the packet which may be used in place of your own letter if preferred.
- Post Retirement Additional Life Insurance - If you are currently enrolled for Additional Term Life Insurance as an active APS employee, you may choose to continue that insurance at a reduced amount, usually $25,000. Complete the Post Retirement Additional Term Life Insurance form enclosed in this packet. The Employee Benefits Department will bill you for the prorated premium.
- Return Retirement Forms - Mail or deliver all original, signed Retirement forms (Retirement Application, Letter to Superintendent and Post Retirement Group Life Insurance form, if applicable, and copy of Birth Certificate(s) to Albuquerque Public Schools, Employee Benefits Department, P.O. Box 25704, Albuquerque, NM 87125-0704.
Employee Benefits will complete Section II of the Application for Retirement form and forward to NMERB along with a copy of your birth certificate(s) for processing. The NMERB will mail you a packet of information, including a printout of your estimated Retirement Benefit, Direct Deposit Form, and additional retirement information. You will receive an acknowledgment letter signed by the Superintendent. - 403(b) and 457(b) Participants - If you have an APS 403(b) or 457(b) Plan and intend to take a distribution (or do roll-over) either on or shortly after your retirement date, please contact the Employee Benefits Department at (505) 889-4859 to discuss this action.
- Exit Interview Questionnaire - After you have submitted all of your retirement paperwork please complete the APS exit questionnaire.
Effective Date of Retirement
Your retirement date is always the first day of the month. Based on New Mexico Educational Retirement Board guidelines, employees who are working through the end of their current contract are considered July 1 retirees. Anyone planning to work a Summer School assignment will be an August 1 retiree.
ALL of your technology systems access, including APS email, will be deactivated in close proximity to your effective date of retirement. Depending on the systems update calendar, the deactivation date could be earlier than your retirement date. Please contact APS Technology for more information regarding system access and deactivation.
APS Benefit Plan Coverage
Your APS benefits will end on the last day of the month in which you are actively employed or at the end of the month in which you receive your last paycheck, depending on your work schedule. This includes medical plan, dental plan, vision plan, life insurance, long-term disability insurance and flexible spending accounts.
- Example 1 – Retire July 1 – 9 or 10-month School Year Contract:
Generally, you will continue to receive summer reserve paychecks through the last scheduled paycheck of your contract. Your benefits with APS end at the end of the month in which you receive your last paycheck, provided all benefit premiums have been paid in full. - Example 2 – Retire January 1 – 9 or 10-month School Year Contract:
Your benefits will end December 31, provided all benefit premiums have been paid in full. - Example 3 – Retire July 1 – 218-Day, 226-Day, 228-Day, 248-Day, and Full-Year Contracts:
Your benefits will end on the last day of the month in which you are actively employed (June 30), provided all benefit premiums have been paid in full.
APS has numerous contracts if you are not sure when your benefit coverage with APS ends, please contact Employee Benefits at (505) 889-4859 to confirm.
Retiree Health Care Insurance Coverage
As a Retiree from APS, you are automatically eligible to enroll for benefits with the New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority (NMRHCA). Enrollment is not automatic. You must contact the NMRHCA at (505) 222-6400 or 1-800-233-2576 to request an application packet and rate sheet for Retiree Health Care insurance If you want health care insurance as part of your retirement.
Questions Regarding Retirement
If you have questions concerning your eligibility for retirement, estimated retirement benefit, current balance In your retirement account, please contact the NMERB. APS does not have access to this information. The NMERB can be contacted by phone at:
- Toll-free at 1-800-663-1919
- Albuquerque and Santa Fe (505) 585-3510