RETIREMENT PLANNING MADE EASIER

The CERF 457 and 401(a) Retirement Plans are powerful tools to help employees reach their retirement dreams.  A new feature was recently added to the CERF plans to make preparing for retirement a little easier.  Reality Investing is a tool that offers different retirement planning strategies for different types of investors.

Some people like to take a “hands on” approach when it comes to investing for their future.  Others would prefer to leave the investment decisions to the professionals.  Whatever your style, Reality Investing offers tools that can help you.  For more information on the CERF 457 and 401(a) Savings Plans and/or Reality Investing, contact our Great West CERF Savings Plan Representative, Jim Ellison, at 1-877-895-1394, ext.120.

  

CERF has implemented a secure web-based process that allows counties to upload payroll reports directly to CERF.  In addition, counties can now complete and submit Enrollment, Termination Non-Vested and Change of Information forms to CERF. 

Click  CERF Periodic Payroll Uploads to upload a payroll report. Click here for payroll instructions.    Click  CERF Web Forms to complete and submit forms.  Click here for Web Forms instructions.
 

Required Minimum Distributions

Pursuant to the Required Minimum Distributions Rule, IRS Code Section 401(a)(9), if a member terminates vested and has not yet completed paperwork to commence retirement benefits by age 70-1/2, CERF must begin making payments on that member’s pension benefit effective April 1 of the calendar year following the later of the year in which he/she reaches age 70-1/2, or separates from county employment.  (Though a member may still be working, but not for a county covered by CERF, a required distribution must commence.)  The only benefit option available under this payout is a single life annuity with no survivor option.  If you are 62 or older, vested and no longer in county employment, please contact our office for a consultation regarding your retirement benefit in order to take full advantage of all annuity payment options available to you.   

Need Quick Answers?
Try Our Quick Reference Guide

The CERF Quick Reference guide is available to provide you with fast access to contact information for the pension plan and savings plan.

  

Great-West County Visit Schedule

Jim Ellison, Great-West, will visit the following counties:

 

       Aug 11:   Worth, Mercer                          Aug 17:   Boone County Sheriff's Department

       Aug 12:   Putnam, Sullivan                       Aug 19:   Ste. Genevieve, Perry

               

         Please remember to double check to make sure contributions to Great-West have been deposited to the correct account as follows: CERF 457 Plan (#98993-01) for employee deferrals (except .7% contributions) and CERF 401(a) Plan (#98993-02) for .7% contributions and the CERF match.

FYI - The maximum amount that may be contributed to 457 plans during 2010 is $16,500.  For those members 50 years of age or older, an additional $5,500 may be contributed as a catch-up.

  

 

 

  
 

Please note that CERF will never request, by email, any personal identifying information from you, including your social security number or bank account information.  if you receive any emails requesting such information, please disregard and contact CERF immediately, at 877-632-2373. 

  
 

Keep your beneficiary designations up-to-date!

If you are single and have several years of service, you should complete a Form 8: Beneficiary Designation-Single Vested Death Benefit.  This form allows you to designate a beneficiary to receive a refund of your contributions should you die after reaching vested status.  These benefits are in addition to the $10,000 death benefit payable to your named beneficiary(ies). 

You should complete a Form 1A: Beneficiary Designation-$10,000 Death Benefit to designate a beneficiary to receive the $10,000 death benefit should you die while actively employed with the county.

Has your address changed?  Has your position in the county changed?

Please contact your County Clerk as soon as possible to complete a
Form 4: Change of Information.

  

Helpful Reminders...

  • Contact one of the CERF Benefits Specialists to request a benefit estimate by phone or e-mail.  Your benefit estimate will be mailed to your address on file at the CERF Administrative Office.

  • Until final salary, hours and contributions information through termination date is received from the County Clerk on an employee ready to retire, the CERF Administrative Office cannot commence retirement benefits. However, benefits will be paid retroactively to the day the retiree is entitled.

  
 

When talking with the CERF Administrative Office, please be advised that your call may be recorded for quality assurance purposes. 

  
 

Your interest in our Website is much appreciated. Please share your comments and suggestions about this site with our IT Team.