Are You Ready for Retirement?

  • All DPS employees and most of Colorado’s other public employees contribute to the Colorado PERA retirement program rather than social security. The PERA retirement plan offers a sound foundation for retirement income, but there is more that you can do to ensure your desired retirement lifestyle. Saving for retirement starts now, and DPS has many opportunities for you to invest in your future!

  • New Hires

    New hires at DPS will be automatically enrolled in a pre tax 403(b) retirement account at a 2% salary deduction with Corebridge Financial. To access your account, please visit Corebridge Financial and register. Your enrollment will be effective the first of the following month in which you were hired.

    To opt out of 403(b) new hire auto enrollment, please call Corebridge Financial at 1-800-448-2542, provide them with access code 10021001, and a representative will ensure you are not enrolled in this benefit. 

    If you had a payroll deduduction and would like to withdrawal your funds and close your account, please download the Permisible Withdrawal of Automatic Enrollment Elective Deferrals Form. Complete the form and either fax it to 1-877-202-0187 or mail it to the following address: 

    Valic Document Control

    PO Box 15648

    Amarillo, TX 79105

    Please note, you will have 90 days from the date of your first payroll withholding to withdrawal your funds from your account. For more information, please contact Corebridge at 1-800-448-2542. 

  • Planning

    Retirement readiness means that you are financially prepared (or are on-track for being financially prepared) to meet your income needs to maintain your preferred lifestyle during your retirement years. Retirement planning is an important step in preparing for your future. Do you know what your goals for retirement are? Talking to a financial advisor or retirement planner can be a really helpful step in figuring out what you need to do to be ready to retire. 

    External Resources for Getting Started: we have compiled some helpful external resources - however DPS cannot guarantee the safety of any external site.

  • Saving

    Corebridge Financial (AIG Valic):

    The IRS allows you to make contributions to your retirement plans on a pre-tax or post-tax basis. You can contribute up to the maximum amount each year. If you turn 50 or older during the calendar year, you are also able to add Catchup Contributions on top of the yearly maximum. 

    DPS partners with Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Retirement Services) to provide savings options that meet your needs. 

    Learn about: 

    Colorado PERA:

    Colorado Pera offers a 401(k) voluntary retirement savings plans to DPS members anytime through the PERAPlus Program. You can learn more and enroll online. 

    *Please note: DPS PERA members are not able to enroll in the 457 PERAPlus plan. 

    DPS’ Sick Leave Payout:

    Some qualifying retirees may receive a payout of accrued sick and personal leave time at a rate determined by Bargaining Unit Agreements and Board Policy. 

    If you are retiring though COPera: the Sick Leave Payout process will happen automatically. Retiring employees must complete the Final Salary Report Form and submit it to payroll@dpsk12.net. 

    If you are not retiring through COPera: send HR Connect (hr_connect@dpsk12.org) a letter from COPera that reflects eligibility to retire. This will trigger the Sick Leave Payout process. 

    Retirees can receive their Sick Leave payout in two forms:

    • Lump Sum: paid 6-8 weeks after final regular paycheck is received; default option
    • Deferral of Funds: transfer of payout funds to an active retirement account (403(b), 457(b), or 401(k)) through DPS. The retirement account must be active for at least 30 days prior to retirement and a contribution must have been made from the employee’s final paycheck. To select a deferral of funds, complete the Sick Leave Deferral Agreement and submit to hr_connect@dpsk12.org 30 days before your retirement date.

    Sick Leave Payout Calculator (you must download to use)

  • Investing

    Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Valic) gives you the ability to select your funds depending on market segment. We would advise speaking to a Corebridge Financial advisor regarding your investing options.

  • Things to Consider

    • The IRS allows you to contribute up to a maximum amount each year. It is your responsibility to make sure that your total annual contribution doesn’t exceed the maximum amount allowed by the IRS.
    • As a DPS employee, you’re eligible to enroll in a 403(b) or a 401(k), and a 457(b) plan to save twice the amount of the IRS limit (contributing the maximum amount towards each account).
    • Contributions into these plans do not reduce the calculation of PERA salary or the Highest Average Salary.
    • DPS charges a $0.50 per paycheck administration fee for all team members enrolled in the 401(k) plan with PERA and the 403(b) and 457(b) plans with Corebridge Financial. This fee covers the cost of an external retirement consultant to ensure our plans meet all federal guidelines and to ensure a high-performing investment line up.

  • Partnering with Innovest

    DPS partners with Innovest Portfolio Solutions to advise on our retirement plans and help us provide the highest quality retirement plans we can. 

    Innovest Portfolio Solutions, LLC is a nationally recognized retirement plan consulting firm based in Denver that has assisted the DPS retirement plan committee since 2017 in improving and modernizing our 403(b) retirement plan. Through their efforts and the efforts of our internal retirement plan committee, a low cost, high quality institutional retirement plan solution has been created to benefit our employees.

    Innovest is a proud supporter of the DPS Foundation and has a philanthropic mission of improving education opportunities for the underserved. Wendy Dominguez, President of Innovest Portfolio Solutions has accepted an appointment to the Colorado Public School Fund Investment Board, which benefits public schools. She was appointed to the board of this billion-dollar fund by the Colorado State Treasurer.

  • Innovest Quarterly Reports and Participant Notices

  • Corebridge Financial

    myaccount.valic.com is your go-to spot for changing or viewing your retirement plan information. 

    Here you can:

    • Enroll in retirement plans such as 403(b), or 457(b)
    • Make changes to your contributions
    • Change your investments
    • View your account information

    Corebridge Financial's Mobile App is also available for download and allows you to conveniently manage your account. Visit https://www.corebridgefinancial.com/rs/valic-mobile-app for more information.

  • Retirement Manager

    This convenient, secure, web-based access point allows you to access and manage your retirement accounts anytime, anywhere. Go to MyRetirementManager or Call 1-866-294-7950 to set up your account. 

    Here you can:

    • Learn more about your retirement plans
    • View balance information
    • Request Distribution Eligibility Certificates for
      loans, hardship withdrawals, unforeseeable emergencies,
      severance of employment, In-Service Distribution (age 59.5), inservice exchange
    • Discover information on a wide range of financial planning topics

    Calculate what you need to stay on track for
    retirement with easy-to-use calculators

  • How to Enroll

    Enroll in a 401(k) Account:

    Enroll in a 403(b) or 457(b) Account:

  • How to Change

    You can make changes to your voluntary retirement plans anytime. For Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Valic) plans, just log on to myaccount.valic.com and submit your changes.

    For the PERAPlus 401(k) plan, submit the Google form.

  • Who to Contact

    Visit MyRetirementManager or call 1-866-294-7950

    Visit Corebridge Financial or call 1-800-426-3753

    Visit Colorado PERA or call 1-833-426-7372

  • Early Retirement Stipend Information

    In your last year, be sure to notify your supervisor or principal as far in advance as you can. You will also need to connect with CO PERA about your retirement funds.The Sick Leave calculator can help to determine if you are eligible for a great benefit DPS offers when you retire - sick leave payout. We know there’s a lot to do in your last year, so don’t worry! Our Retirement Checklist has you covered from start to finish. 

    *Sick Leave Payout eligibility is dependent on your Bagaining Unit at the time of retirement. If you transfer out of the Bargaining Unit or reduce FTE, you may lose eligiblity for Sick Leave Payout at the time of retirement. 

     

    Early Retirement Stipends Available!

    Did you know? DCTA employees, Assistant Principals, and Principals are eligible for a $1,200 early retirement stipend!
    Submit this form by February 1 and complete the school year to qualify:

    Retirement - Early Notice Stipend for Assistant Principals and Principals

    Retirement - Early Notice Stipend for DCTA employees

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