If you terminate with five or more years of SDCERA/reciprocal service credit, you become a deferred-vested member with the option to retire when you are eligible.

If you are vested when you terminate, you have three options:

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  When you terminate employment with the County of San Diego (or other participating employer) and you have five or more years of service credit, you become a deferred-vested member as long as you leave your accumulated retirement contributions in the retirement fund. As a deferred-vested member, you are eligible for a lifetime retirement benefit once you meet retirement eligibility requirements and choose to retire.
  
  Click the Deferred Membership fact sheet for more information, including retirement eligibility requirements.

 

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  You may establish reciprocity by leaving your accumulated retirement contributions on deposit with SDCERA and beginning employment (establishing membership) in a reciprocal retirement system within six months. Reciprocity is not established automatically.
  
  Click the Reciprocity fact sheet to learn more about reciprocity and reciprocal employers.

 

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  You also have the option of requesting a refund of your accumulated retirement contributions, plus interest, or rolling over all or a portion of the distribution into another employer’s qualified plan or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Remember, if you choose this option, you have removed your contributions from the retirement fund and therefore have forfeited the right to receive a lifetime benefit from SDCERA because you would no longer be a member.
  
  Click the Refund and Rollover/Transfer for Purchasing Service Credit fact sheets for more information.