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This section provides useful information and resources to the Benefit Recipients of the ERS and their families.

Post-Retirement Death Benefit
In addition to any survivorship option chosen at the time of retirement, the retiree’s listed beneficiary (ies) receives a $10,000 Post-Retirement Death Benefit.

In order to designate a beneficiary (ies) for the Post-Retirement Death Benefit, a $10,000 Post-Retirement Death Benefit Beneficiary Form must be completed.  You can add or change a beneficiary any time by completing another Form.  Upon your death, the ERS will pay death benefits to the last named beneficiary, or beneficiaries, on file with the ERS.  It is, therefore, very important to keep your beneficiary information up to date.

See Form: $10,000 Post-Retirement Death Benefit Beneficiary (For instructions, see Designating a Beneficiary - Retired Members)

Whenever you change your address and/or name you need to inform the ERS in writing of the change.  Changing your address and/or name with the Commission DOES NOT change your address  and/or name with the ERS.

Your address and/or name may be changed at any time by either: completing a Notice of Change Form; writing a letter to the ERS indicating the new address and/or name and the effective date of the change; or, completing the address change form on your payment stub from The Northern Trust.  All change requests MUST be signed by the benefit recipient or authorized representative.  All change requests must be submitted to the ERS before the 10th day of the month preceding the month of payment. Changes received after the 10th may not be processed until the following month. 

Retiree Medical Insurance
The Commission's Health and Benefits Office administers the Medical Care Insurance Plan for Retirees.  All questions and/or concerns regarding your benefits should be directed to that office at: 301-454-1683.

The monthly premium for medical insurance coverage, as indicated in the provisions and approved by the Commission's Health and Benefits Office, will be deducted from your annuity payment.

Legal Resources
Every year at open enrollment the Commission will offer the opportunity to participate in the Commission's Legal Services Plan.

The monthly premium, as indicated in the Commission's Legal Services Plan provisions, will be deducted from your annuity payment.

The Legal Services Plan is administered by the Commission's Health and Benefits Office.  All questions and/or concerns regarding your benefits should be directed to that office at: 301-454-1683.

M-NCPPC Federal Credit Union
You can elect to have a portion of your monthly annuity payment deposited in to your M-NCPPC Credit Union account by completing an Authorization for Credit Union Deductions from Retirement Annuity Form.  All requests MUST be signed by the benefit recipient or authorized representative. 

See Form: Authorization for Credit Union Deductions from Retirement Annuity

Your Credit Union deduction may be changed at any time by either: completing a Revised Authorization for Credit Union Deductions from Retirement Annuity Form;  or, writing a letter to the ERS indicating the new deduction and the effective date of the change.  All change requests MUST be signed by the benefit recipient or authorized representative.  All change requests must be submitted to the ERS before the 10th day of the month preceding the month of payment. Changes received after the 10th may not be processed until the following month.

See Form: Revised Authorization for Credit Union Deductions from Retirement Annuity 

Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit)
Effective January 1, 2002, it is mandatory for all benefit recipients to receive their monthly annuity payment through electronic funds transfer (direct deposit). 

Your electronic funds transfer (direct deposit) banking institution may be changed at any time by either: completing a new Form;  or, writing a letter to the ERS indicating the new  banking institution's name, routing number, your account number and the effective date of the change.  A voided personal check (checking account) or account deposit ticket (savings account) is REQUIRED.   Your banking institution may help you complete this Form. All change requests MUST be signed by the benefit recipient or authorized representative.  All change requests must be submitted to the ERS before the 10th day of the month preceding the month of payment. Changes received after the 10th may not be processed until the following month. 

See Form: Electronic Deposit Authorization

Federal Tax
Federal law requires that federal income tax be withheld from your monthly pension unless you instruct the ERS to do otherwise.

Your tax election(s) may be changed at any time by either: completing a new Form W-4P; writing a letter to the ERS indicating the new election(s) and the effective date of the change; or, completing the tax election form on your payment stub from The Northern Trust.  All change requests MUST be signed by the benefit recipient or authorized representative.  All change requests must be submitted to the ERS before the 10th day of the month preceding the month of payment. Changes received after the 10th may not be processed until the following month. 

See Form: Withholding Certificate for Pensions or Annuities, Form W-4P

Maryland State Tax
Your tax election(s) may be changed at any time by either: completing a new Form; writing a letter to the ERS indicating the new  election(s) and the effective date of the change; or, completing the tax election form on your payment stub from The Northern Trust.  All change requests MUST be signed by the benefit recipient or authorized representative.  All change requests must be submitted to the ERS before the 10th day of the month preceding the month of payment. Changes received after the 10th may not be processed until the following month. 

The ERS presents workshops and events designed for our retired members that specifically address topics of interest to them. We also have special mailings to our retirees keeping them current with the ERS’ happenings and information pertinent to retirement.

The ERS staff are here to explain and help you to understand your benefits.  Please feel free to call the Member Relations Team or stop by our office.