We realize that retiring is a significant life event and want to make the process to apply for your MSRS retirement benefit as easy as possible.

MSRS is unable to accept your application for retirement more than 60 days prior to the retirement benefit start date you indicate on the form.

You will receive your first benefit payment approximately six weeks after your retirement date. Please plan accordingly. The first payment is typically higher because it includes retroactive payments back to your benefit start date.

Steps to apply for a monthly retirement benefit

The retirement date is the date you want your benefit to begin. Indicate this date on the Application for Retirement, Section 2.

You may be eligible to retire and receive an MSRS retirement benefit when you: 

  • Meet the age and years of service requirements for the pension plan you are covered under.
  • End all State of Minnesota covered employment. "Covered employment” means you have contributed through automatic payroll deductions to an MSRS pension plan.

Important!

  • MSRS is unable to accept your application for retirement more than 60 days in advance of the retirement date you indicate on the application.
  • You should receive your first payment approximately 6 weeks after your retirement benefit start date. Please plan accordingly.

As you near retirement, contact MSRS to speak with a retirement representative. Call 651-296-2761 or 1-800-657-5757 or request an appointment to meet with a retirement representative in person, by phone or Zoom virtual meeting.

Retirement representatives can: 

When applying for retirement, MSRS may not be the only plan administrator you need to contact. As a Minnesota public employee, you may receive benefits from various providers. You may enroll in some or all of them. Use this list as a guide to coordinate your benefits.  

Resource: For information on how to contact plan administrators, see Your Guide to Retirement (pdf).

Download the forms or contact MSRS to have the forms mailed to you. 

If you had service with another Minnesota public pension plan (for example, PERA or TRA), you may qualify for additional retirement benefits.  Contact your other plan provider to learn if you are eligible for benefits and how to apply.

You'll need to provide:

Mail forms and documents to MSRS. Only the original application with signature and notary will be processed. We will not accept a fax or email copy.

MSRS is unable to accept your application for retirement more than 60 days in advance of the retirement benefit start date you indicate on the application.

Mail or drop off forms and documents to:

          Minnesota State Retirement System
          60 Empire Drive, Suite 300
          St Paul, MN  55103-3000

If you had service with another Minnesota public pension plan (for example, PERA or TRA), you may qualify for additional retirement benefits.  Contact your other plan provider to learn if you are eligible for benefits and how to apply.

You will receive your first retirement benefit payment approximately 6 weeks after the retirement date indicated on your application. Please plan accordingly.

The first benefit payment is typically higher because it includes retroactive payments back to your benefit start date.

This timeline assumes:

Failure to meet these requirements could delay your benefit payment.

If you had service with another Minnesota public pension plan (for example, PERA or TRA) and are eligible for additional benefits, you will receive a separate payment from that retirement plan provider. Please contact your other plan provider to learn how and when those payments will be made.  

Videos

Instruction to apply for an MSRS pension benefit, including forms to complete and documents to provide.

Applying for Retirement - General Employees & Unclassified Retirement Plans

Applying for Retirement - Correctional, State Patrol, & Judges Retirement Plans