Tulare County Office of Education

Retirement

Choose PERS or STRS.

Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)

Assistance with retirement forms, general retirement option estimates, and various brochures and forms are available for classified employees of Tulare County schools. These services are provided by:

Sharie D. Ortega, Credentials/Retirement Analyst
Tulare County Office of Education
2637 West Burrel Avenue
Visalia, CA 93278-5091
(559) 733-6308

Appointments for estimates must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance for PERS members. Please be prepared to provide your name, social security number, beneficiary's birth date, and home and work site telephone numbers.

You are also encouraged to attend a retirement planning workshop provided by CalPERS. These informative sessions are generally held in the Tulare County Office of Education building but can be scheduled to provide exclusive workshops to any district employer by contacting the Fresno Field Office at (559) 440-4914. CalPERS representatives will not provide on-site estimates to school employees, but mail-in request forms are available.

Retirement Counseling

State Teachers' Retirement System (STRS)

The Interview Process
Getting Started...
Appointments may be made for retirement counseling. The retirement counselor will provide the needed forms and provide an estimate of the benefit allowance that each retiree will receive from STRS. Appointments must be scheduled at least three weeks in advance for STRS retirees and may be made by calling Jeanne Croson, Human Resources Administrative Executive Secretary, at the Tulare County Office of Education Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (559) 733-6760.

Be prepared to provide your name, address, Social Security number, home and work site telephone numbers. Interviews are held in Enid Brinkman's office at the Tulare County Office of Education, 2637 West Burrel Avenue, Visalia.

Information required at counseling session:

The number of sick leave days projected as of the retirement date.
The number of contract days for your position.
Salaries for your highest three consecutive years of employment, or 36 consecutive months of employment. (If you have at least 25 years of service credit, only the highest year or 12 consecutive months are needed).
The beneficiary's date of birth if you are selecting an option.

Other valuable STRS information...
STRS recommends that members speak with a regional counselor on at least three occasions before retiring.
STRS school-site workshops may be scheduled by site administrators by calling Enid Brinkman at (559) 733-6327.

STRS Public Service: (800) 228-5453 or (916) 229-3870.
STRS Teletalk: (800) 228-5453.
For the hearing impaired STRS TDD: (916) 229-3541.
STRS Financial Education Program Workshop Registration: 1-888-394-2060.
For additional information, please visit www.calstrs.ca.gov.

Ten Good Reasons to See a Counselor:

Financial Planning - your STRS Retirement benefit is probably a major portion of the income you will be receiving for the rest of your life. Do you know what your monthly benefit will be?
Have you said, "I'm retiring at 55?" Do you know how much your monthly benefit increases for each year you work beyond age 55?
Have you been heard to say, "I'm taking all of my benefits for me; I'm not naming an option beneficiary?" Do you know you can name any person of your choice as an option beneficiary? It is important to make an informed choice, understanding all of the options available. Do you know the difference between an option beneficiary and a lump sum beneficiary?
Are you nearing age 55? Would you like information regarding the pre-retirement election of an option? We can furnish a printout containing estimates for all of the retirement options.
Do you know about increases in your monthly benefit after you retire?
Do you know how much you can earn in a certificated position in the California public schools after you retire?
Will your accumulated sick leave have an effect on your retirement calculation?
Have you ever received a refund of your contributions? Do you know how much a redeposit would increase your monthly benefit?
Are you planning to retire in six to twelve months? Are you aware of the timing guidelines and necessary forms?
Would you like to spend an hour with a retirement counselor who can furnish you with printed estimates for several potential retirement dates?

You will receive answers to all of the above questions, as well as questions specific to your situation.

Frequently asked questions that indicate you should make an appointment with a STRS counselor:

What are the benefits to selecting an option before retiring?
How can I determine which option is the best for me?
What is a redeposit or purchase of service credit?
How much can I earn if I substitute teach as a retired teacher?
How much will my allowance increase if I retire at 60 rather than 55?
Can I utilize my unused sick leave for service credit?
Is my current death beneficiary form updated?
Which disability coverage do I have?

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