Eligibility

1. An employee who retired from active service between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1987 must have begun denominational service before attaining age 55 and must earn 10 full years of service credit before attaining the normal retirement age.
2. Employees who terminated denominational service prior to January 1, 1981, must have 15 full years of service credit.
3. Employees who began denominational service after attaining age 55 do not receive service credit prior to January 1, 1988.
4. Employees who were out of denominational service on January 1, 1981 and who had at least 10 years but less than 15 years of service credit must earn at least two additional years of service credit or the difference between actual service credit and 15 years, whichever is less, in order to be eligible for benefits.
5. North American Division based interdivision employees who were interdivision employees on or after December 31, 1991 and have earned a minimum of 6 years of service credit as interdivision employees are considered vested. Pre-embarkation, furlough, and permanent return are all counted as interdivision service.

Yes. As long as you meet vesting requirements, you may retire as early as age 59 ½. However, due to the Early Retirement Reduction policy, benefits will be reduced by .5% for each month an employee's age is less than the normal retirement age, or for each month service credit less than 40 years, whichever yields the greatest monthly benefit. (Prior to 2005, early retirement required at least 45 years of service credit and age 62.)