If you are five years or less from your target retirement date, you will find a wealth of resources here to help you through this final stage.
PERA Forms
St Louis County participates in the phased retirement option (PRO) program adopted by the Minnesota State Legislature. Under the law, St. Louis County department heads may choose to offer a PRO appointment to employees who meet certain age and other eligibility requirements.
Phased Retirement Brochure
St. Louis County Phased Retirement Form
PERA Phased Retirement Form
What is Deferred Comp? The purpose of a deferred compensation plan is to produce tax delays and/or tax savings on monies you set aside for retirement. You will have a choice between a standard deferred compensation herein called a 457 account or a 457 Roth account or you can even have both.
A standard 457 allows you to set aside a part of your salary and postpone paying taxes on that salary until after retirement. This may prove to be advantageous for two reasons:
Deferred compensation was intended by congress to be a retirement plan as opposed to a short-term savings plan. Hence, your funds may not be withdrawn until you have separated service from your employer unless approved for an emergency withdrawal or you are eligible to secure a loan on part of your balance.
Am I eligible to participate? Any permanent County/ARC employee or elected official may participate in a deferred compensation plan. Enrollment takes place provided that an agreement to defer compensation not yet earned is completed and turned in to payroll prior to the first day of the coverage month.
How do I get enrolled in Deferred Compensation? You simply contact your provider of choice. You have four providers to choose from. You can ask your coworkers if they have a recommendation and you can consult the Deferred Compensation Provider Comparison document for assistance.
How much can I contribute to my 457 accounts each year? A 457(b) plan’s annual contributions and other additions (excluding earnings) to a participant’s account cannot exceed the lesser of:
100% of the participant's includible compensation, or
the 457(b) elective deferral limit
Increases to the general annual contribution limit:
457(b) plans of state and local governments may allow catch-up contributions for participants who are aged 50 or older.
Special 457(b) catch-up contributions allow a participant for 3 years prior to the normal retirement age (as specified in the plan) to contribute the lesser of:
Twice the annual 457(b) limit , or
The basic annual limit plus the amount of the basic limit not used in prior years (only allowed if not using age 50 or over catch-up contributions)
Can I move my 457 balance from one provider to another? You can move your funds to or from MNDCP, Mission Square, Nationwide or Lincoln. You cannot move them to an external entity until you have separated employment. Contact the provider you wish to move your funds to for assistance.
Can I increase my 457 contribution for one pay period and then have it resume at my previous amount thereafter? Yes. Use the One Time Deferral Form
I have left employment and would like to begin withdrawals from my 457 account(s). What are the steps I need to take? Follow the Withdrawing Funds Instructions.
How can I learn more about Deferred Compensation? See the St. Louis County Deferred Comp Plan Document
No Printer? Electronic Signature Instructions
One-Time Deferral Change Form (use this form, for any provider below, to increase your Deferred Comp Contribution/ paycheck deduction for one pay period only)
Nationwide 612-790-1288 Email Brian Burgeson Website Enroll online
MNDCP 800-657-5757 ext 5863 Email Lisa Holte Website Contribution Change Link Beneficiary Form Name Change Form Enrollment Form
Lincoln Financial Group 218-749-1730 Email Chris Bialke Website Contribution Change Form Beneficiary Form Name Change Form Enrollment Form
Mission Square (formerly ICMA-RC) 202-567-1219 Email Susan Trammel Website Forms
PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association) Meeting
St. Louis County staff do not have access to your PERA record. You will want to contact Bryan (218-520-0140) or Kristen (218-520-0141) to schedule a meeting in Duluth if you want to…
Pre-Retirement Meeting
Pre-Retirement meetings are for employees 2 to 12 months from their retirement date. At this meeting you will get the following information:
Schedule a Pre-Retirement Meeting
Retirement Refresher Meeting
Retirement refresher meetings are for employees 2 to 12 months from their retirement date who have already had a pre-retirement meeting more than a year prior. At this meeting you will get the following information:
Final Retirement Meeting (Mandatory)
This meeting should take place one to four weeks prior to last day on payroll. During this meeting you will:
Schedule a Final Retirement Meeting
Upcoming and Recent PERA Retirement Workshops (Tailored to all state PERA retirees)
St. Louis County offers a retirement workshop each spring and fall for St. Louis County employee who are 1-5 years from retirement. Please see quarterly training catalog . (Tailored to St. Louis County Retirees)
Your Health Care Savings Plan
Beth Menor Sr. HR Advisor - Benefits 218-725-5056 Email
Ashley Lehman Information Specialist 218-725-5012 Email
All contacts
Retiree Insurance Rates Retiree Checklist PERA HCSP Social Security Medicare & You Retirement Notice Form