If you terminate with five or more years of SDCERA/reciprocal service credit, you may elect to become a deferred member with the option to retire when you are eligible. Click the Considerations after Termination fact sheet for an overview.

Deferred members have three options available to them:

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  You may establish deferred membership by leaving your accumulated retirement contributions in the retirement fund. You are then eligible for deferred membership and your retirement benefit is paid in the future, generally when you meet the eligibility criteria 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 in the SDCERA retirement fund and beginning employment (establishing membership) in a reciprocal retirement system within six months.
  
  Click the Reciprocity fact sheet to learn more.
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  You also have the option of requesting a refund of your 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 either of these options, you have removed your contributions from the retirement fund and therefore have forfeited the right to possibly 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.