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 while an active or terminated employee. 

In addition, 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.

It's extremely important to update your beneficiary designation as you experience life changes.

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.

  

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:

 

                                                      May 24:  Laclede                 

                                                              

FYI - The maximum amount that may be contributed to 457 plans during 2012 is $17,000.  For those members 50 years of age or older, an additional $5,500 may be contributed as a catch-up.

  

Upcoming Holidays

 

May 28, 2012

Memorial Day

 

  
 

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. 

  
 

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. 

  
 

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