When you leave employment with the County of San Diego (or other participating employer) for any reason prior to retirement, you must make a decision about your SDCERA member retirement contributions and interest earned.

Your SDCERA status will change depending on your years of service credit at the time you terminate.

If you have five or more years of service credit, you become a deferred-vested member with the option to retire when you are eligible. To maintain this option, you must leave your contributions on deposit. The Terminating as a Vested Member page will give you more information on deferred-vested membership.

If you have less than five years of service credit, you become a deferred-nonvested member. The Terminating as a Nonvested Member page will give you more information on your options.