Defined Benefit Plan

Retiree Benefits

Defined Benefit Plan

retiree benefits faqs

Defined Benefit plan 

Will there be any lapse in medical benefits going from active to retiree status?

No, there are no lapses, but there may be a period (before you are set up in the Pension system) where vendors will show your term date as an active and not your effective date as a retiree. This can usually be taken care of within a matter of hours by calling the Pension Office.

When can I retire?

You can retire and receive a standard pension when you are age 60 with 15 years of service, age 65 with 10 years of service, or have a combination of age and service equal to 79. You can retire and receive an age penalty pension with 15 years of service if you are in the 1991 Plan the 1991 Enhanced Plan or the 1982 Plan. If you are in one of the General Plans you must be age 55 with at least 25 years of service.

What other benefits do retirees receive?

Fulton County retirees are eligible for retiree health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance and life insurance. The life insurance is paid by the County. Health and vision are subsidized. Retirees pay the entire premium for dental insurance.

What is the process for getting a disability pension?

To qualify for a disability pension your physician must determine that you are totally and permanently disabled, the County physician must determine that you are totally and permanently disabled. The County Office of Disability Affairs must determine that there are no other jobs in the County that you can perform, with or without a reasonable accommodation and your department head must indicate that you are unable to perform the job for which you were hired.

Once I retire, how long until I get my first pension check?

Your pension will be calculated once you have received all monies due. Typically, this occurs when you are paid for your accrued vacation, holiday and comp time. After your pension is calculated it is audited. It then goes on the Pension Board agenda. The Pension Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Your pension is then set up in the pension payroll system and you receive your first check on the first of the month following its approval by the Pension Board. Depending upon when you retire, the process can take up to 6 or seven weeks. The first pension check will pay you retroactively to the day after you retired.

Is there a survivor benefit with the pension?

Your pension will be calculated once you have received all monies due. Typically, this occurs when you are paid for your accrued vacation, holiday and comp time. After your pension is calculated it is audited. It then goes on the Pension Board agenda. The Pension Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Your pension is then set up in the pension payroll system and you receive your first check on the first of the month following its approval by the Pension Board. Depending upon when you retire, the process can take up to 6 or seven weeks. The first pension check will pay you retroactively to the day after you retired.

I am in one of the older plans, Can I trade up?

The 1991 Enhanced Plan is closed. However, participants are eligible to trade up to a more recent plan. Please contact the Pension Office for an estimate of the cost. There is no cost to upgrade from the 1982 plan to the 1991 plan.

How is the pension benefit determined?

The benefit is determined by the formula in the plan. Generally, the formula multiplies a percentage times your years of service times your final average monthly earnings.

How do I obtain a pension estimate?

Please submit the Pension Estimate Request form to the Pension Office. Please allow 5 business days for it to be completed and returned.

How do I get a pension application?

Please contact the Pension Office for the application materials. Please submit the completed application in person or by mail.

Can I purchase service time with other employers?

Service time with certain other employers is eligible to purchase, as long as that time is not used for other retirement benefits. There are limits to the total number of years that can be purchased. Qualifying employers are the State of Georgia, U.S. Military and any municipality that is wholly or partially within Fulton County. Please contact the Pension Office for more information.