Planning to Retire?

Congratulations on your decision to retirement! This newsletter is designed to help employees become familiar with the process and be well prepared for the next steps.

Please be advised that the Human Resources, Benefits Department will submit your completed forms to the Office of Pensions for further processing. This will occur once you have met with the Benefits Specialist to complete the required forms.

Please keep in mind, individual meetings will not be scheduled unless you intend to retire and have notified your supervisor and provided an Intent to Retire form. If you are inquiring about retiring, please plan to attend a Virtual Retirement Meeting.

*Note: All required forms are linked into this newsletter for your reference.

Annual Pension Statement

Your Annual Pension Statement provides a wealth of information to assist you with your decision to retire. As you may know, the Pension Office provides a yearly statement that includes your pension service time, contributions and a calculation of your pension monthly payment. In addition to this being sent via mail, you are able to access the statement through your Employee Self Service portal.

Employee Self Service

Please use the link provided below to gain access to your Employee Self Service portal. Once you are logged in, follow the steps listed to navigate through the system.

1. Log into DE-SSO (my.delaware.gov)
2. Click on the Pension Self Service Tile on the Application Links page
3. Click on Comprehensive Statement
4. Click View

Please take a moment to review your statement for accuracy. If something is incorrect, please contact the Human Resources Department to assist with updating your information. Some corrections may need to be updated through the Office of Pensions.

*Note: If you do not see the Pension Tile, please select the log-off. Sign in again, the Pension Tile should appear.

Future Retirees must gather the following documents:

• Birth Certificates (Future Retiree and ALL Dependents covered under health, dental and/or vision)
• SSN Cards (Future Retiree and ALL Dependents covered under health dental and/vision)
• Federal compliant Driver's License -DL w/gold star (Future Retiree and ALL Dependents covered under health dental and/vision)
• Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• Divorce Decrees/Death Certificates (if applicable)
• Medicare Cards (if applicable)
• DD214 (if applicable)

These documents must be in hand at the time of your scheduled meeting with the Benefits Specialist in order to process your retirement paperwork. If not, this will cause a delay and your meeting will be rescheduled.

Future Retirees must complete the following :

• Federal & State (DE) Withholding Tax Form
• Direct Deposit Authorization Form
• Burial Designation Beneficiary Form
• Joint & Survivor Beneficiary Form
• Contributory Designation Beneficiary Form

These documents will be sent to you via mail, you may complete the top section (name, address, ssn, etc.) prior to your schedule meeting with the Benefits Specialist. Please review all documents and come prepared to complete the remaining sections of the forms. You MUST have SSN numbers, addresses, and telephone numbers for ALL beneficiaries in order to process your retirement paperwork. If not, this will cause a delay and your meeting will be rescheduled.

Future retirees under the age of 65 will have the same healthcare options that were provided while actively working. Employees seeking to retire within 3 - 5 years, should take a keen interest in learning about benefits. One great opportunity to learn new information is during Open Enrollment.

Future retirees 65 and over, must apply for Medicare Part A and B through the Social Security Administration. For this group, a Medicare Supplement plan is offered through Highmark.

Part A is FREE and it covers hospitalization. Everyone must enroll upon eligibility (age 65). Part B has a monthly premium and covers medical expenses such as doctor visits and supplies.

The State of Delaware offers a Medicare Supplement that includes to plan options:

• Special Medicfill with Prescriptions
• Special Medicfill without Prescriptions

Dental Plans

There are two dental plans offered by the State of Delaware - Delta & Dominion. The Delta plan is most comparable to Colonial School District - Cigna Dental.

Tip: Future retirees should make every effort to obtain all major dental services prior to retirement. This will minimize your out of pocket costs dramatically! Also, researching an independent dental plans offered by your local dentist is a good idea as well.

Vision Plan

EyeMed is the only vision plan offered by the State of Delaware. The EyeMed High plan is most comparable to Colonial School District - VBA vision plan.

Tip: Future retirees should learn how to utilize in-network savings and other independent offers (Spec for Less).

For more information, please click on the links provided below.

The longer an employee works for the State of Delaware the lower the price of healthcare. In reference to health costs, employees will reach the maximum level at 20 Years of Service! If you cannot figure out which bracket applicable to you - please send me an email with your hire date and the number of years of service indicated on your most recent annual statement.

As a retiree, you have the option of porting (continuing) your current life insurance policy (ies). To port the life insurance, please be sure to contact the provider directly to make continuation of coverage arrangements.

MetLife - TBD, new policy admin becomes effective 7/1/26

Securian at 1-877-215-1489

Again, to port either life insurance plan, please contact the provider directly.

Payroll Specialists:

1. Jennifer.Thornton@colonial.k12.de.us. Jennifer produces payout information for the following groups: Administrators, Teachers, Specialists, and Constables
2. Doug.Smythe@colonial.k12.de.us. Doug produces payout information for the following groups: Paraprofessionals, Nutrition Services, Transportation, Substitutes, and all employees of Leach.

1. Be sure to gather personal electronic data from Google and Schoology prior to your last day. Your Google and Schoology accounts will be deactivated upon the end of your employment. Here are the links:
   • Google
   • Schoology
2. Make sure you set up your my.delaware.gov account so that you can continue to manage your personal information, print available W-2s and access any prior/current pay checks.
3. Once you retire, the Pension Office will be your new agency. Please be sure to contact the Pension Office is your have any questions about your paycheck or benefits at 302 739 4208.

Myeshia Jones-Christopher, Benefits Specialist

Email: Myeshia.JonesChristopher@colonial.k12.de.us

Darcel Porter, Benefits Secretary

Email: Darcel.Porter@colonial.k12.de.us

Address: 318 East Basin Road, New Castle, DE 19720

Website: https://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/employees/benefits/

CSD

The Colonial School District shall not discriminate in its employment practices or its educational programs and activities of students on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, domicile, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.