Brenda MacKenzie, PFA Retirement Chairperson:
Retirement of PFA Members
Step 1
Review your current CBA section 25 Notice of Separation to be aware of deadlines to submit your retirement to the district as well as benefits such as the Accumulated Sick Day Benefit qualifications.
Step 2
Schedule your first NYSTRS Benefits Consultation a year or a few years in advance to make the best decision for your specific retirement situation. Attend PREP Seminars when offered. Attend the Retirement Information Sessions offered by the district. Sign up for the NYSTRS app. Review your current CBA section 25 again.
Step 3
Schedule another NYSTRS Benefits Consultation in the beginning of the year you plan to retire. Revisit or attend PREP Seminars when offered or view the modules NYSTRS has on their website. Attend the Retirement Information Sessions offered by the district for any new information.
Step 4
Contact your PFA Retirement Chair for assistance with NYSTRS and the District Benefits Coordinator for your specific benefits questions, especially for Health Insurance. The district has important information regarding health insurance.
Step 5
Notify the Board of Education in writing of your last day (date) of employment with Pioneer Central School District. You may use the example template below as a guide to assist you. You must include:
Submit your written notice to the District Office in care of Carrie Bartoszek. You can inter-office mail or hand deliver your notice.
FAQ’s
To whom do I address my written notice of my retirement?
Address your written notice to the Board of Education.
When I am writing my written notice to the district that I am retiring, do I need to include any specific wording?
See example template below. You must include the date you are turning in your letter, the date which will be your last date of employment with the district, it is helpful to include that it is due to retirement, your name, your position, and your signature.
Do I need to send a copy to my supervisor or building principal? How do I know the notice was received in the District Office?
Email your supervisor or building principal, the superintendent, and Carrie Bartoszek as you are submitting your notice that the hard copy is being sent to the District Office. You may follow up with Carrie after you send it.
What if I have less than 50 sick days and I want to retire, how many days in advance will I need to present my written notice of my retirement to the district?
Having less than 50 sick days, you will need to present your written notice of retirement to the district a minimum of 30 days in advance.
[Today’s date]
Dear Board of Education,
I would like to inform you that at the close of business on [date] will be my last day of employment with Pioneer Central School District due to retirement.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Assignment]
[Original Signature (not a copy)]
As the union's "daytime warriors," retirees are encouraged to stay politically active. Read the following article to find out how you can support active NYSUT members.
Retiree Activists Chart Course Ahead
https://www.nysut.org/news/2022/september/retirees
PREP Seminars
No matter how far along you are in your career, careful financial and retirement planning are critical. NYSTRS’ Pension & Retirement Education Program (PREP) is designed to help members of all ages accomplish that. Members can tailor PREP to fit their needs by staying for the entire seminar (8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) or just those modules that help them the most: NYSTRS benefits; financial planning; Social Security; estate planning; retirement—a new beginning; and, the retirement process.
PREP seminars are free, and sessions are held throughout the year across the state. The schedule is now available on the Retirement Planning Pension & Retirement Education Program page at NYSTRS.org. Those wishing to attend should register before slots are filled. Instructions for making reservations, which will be accepted in the order they are received, are included on the schedule.
Members interested in attending a benefits consultation can also do so year-round. At these one-on-one meetings, staff review the retirement process, explain payment options and provide members with benefit estimates for their target retirement dates.
Step 1
Review your current CBA section 25 Notice of Separation to be aware of deadlines to submit your retirement to the district as well as benefits such as the Accumulated Sick Day Benefit qualifications.
Step 2
Schedule your first NYSTRS Benefits Consultation a year or a few years in advance to make the best decision for your specific retirement situation. Attend PREP Seminars when offered. Attend the Retirement Information Sessions offered by the district. Sign up for the NYSTRS app. Review your current CBA section 25 again.
Step 3
Schedule another NYSTRS Benefits Consultation in the beginning of the year you plan to retire. Revisit or attend PREP Seminars when offered or view the modules NYSTRS has on their website. Attend the Retirement Information Sessions offered by the district for any new information.
Step 4
Contact your PFA Retirement Chair for assistance with NYSTRS and the District Benefits Coordinator for your specific benefits questions, especially for Health Insurance. The district has important information regarding health insurance.
Step 5
Notify the Board of Education in writing of your last day (date) of employment with Pioneer Central School District. You may use the example template below as a guide to assist you. You must include:
- The date you are submitting your written notice.
- Your last day (date) of employment with the district. (This must be 1 day prior to the date you put on your TRS retirement application)
- Your name with your original signature. This cannot be a photocopy.
Submit your written notice to the District Office in care of Carrie Bartoszek. You can inter-office mail or hand deliver your notice.
FAQ’s
To whom do I address my written notice of my retirement?
Address your written notice to the Board of Education.
When I am writing my written notice to the district that I am retiring, do I need to include any specific wording?
See example template below. You must include the date you are turning in your letter, the date which will be your last date of employment with the district, it is helpful to include that it is due to retirement, your name, your position, and your signature.
Do I need to send a copy to my supervisor or building principal? How do I know the notice was received in the District Office?
Email your supervisor or building principal, the superintendent, and Carrie Bartoszek as you are submitting your notice that the hard copy is being sent to the District Office. You may follow up with Carrie after you send it.
What if I have less than 50 sick days and I want to retire, how many days in advance will I need to present my written notice of my retirement to the district?
Having less than 50 sick days, you will need to present your written notice of retirement to the district a minimum of 30 days in advance.
[Today’s date]
Dear Board of Education,
I would like to inform you that at the close of business on [date] will be my last day of employment with Pioneer Central School District due to retirement.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Assignment]
[Original Signature (not a copy)]
As the union's "daytime warriors," retirees are encouraged to stay politically active. Read the following article to find out how you can support active NYSUT members.
Retiree Activists Chart Course Ahead
https://www.nysut.org/news/2022/september/retirees
PREP Seminars
No matter how far along you are in your career, careful financial and retirement planning are critical. NYSTRS’ Pension & Retirement Education Program (PREP) is designed to help members of all ages accomplish that. Members can tailor PREP to fit their needs by staying for the entire seminar (8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) or just those modules that help them the most: NYSTRS benefits; financial planning; Social Security; estate planning; retirement—a new beginning; and, the retirement process.
PREP seminars are free, and sessions are held throughout the year across the state. The schedule is now available on the Retirement Planning Pension & Retirement Education Program page at NYSTRS.org. Those wishing to attend should register before slots are filled. Instructions for making reservations, which will be accepted in the order they are received, are included on the schedule.
Members interested in attending a benefits consultation can also do so year-round. At these one-on-one meetings, staff review the retirement process, explain payment options and provide members with benefit estimates for their target retirement dates.