Early Retirement

The Eligibility Requirements for Early Retirement are:

• You must be a full-time employee of the Chicago Transit Authority,
• You must be at least 55 years of age and have at least three (3) years of continuous (participation) service with the plan,
• or, You must have completed 25 years or more of continuous (participation) service with the Plan, regardless of your age.
• If you began your employment with the CTA after September 5, 2001, you must be at least 55 years old with 25 years of service to retire.

(Employees choosing early retirement without having 25 years continuous years of service with the plan shall have their benefits reduced by five percent (5%) for each full year or fraction thereof below the age of 65.)

How to Apply

Gather verification documents - birth documents for dependents, marriage license, social security number verification for spouse, Medicare card (if you or your spouse receives Social Security).

Option 1 - Call Your Pension Representative for an appointment.

Pension Representative (select by the first letter of your last name):

• A thru M: James Gates (312) 463-0352 - jgates@ctapension.com
• N thru Z: Gloria Cage (312) 463-0358 - gcage@ctapension.com

Option 2 - Complete online applications and forms and bring forms to the Pension office.

Step One:  Complete application and all appropriate forms:

Step Two:  Call Your Pension Representative for an appointment to submit and review application, and to review benefits and eligibility.

Option 3 - Apply By Mail.

Step One:  Complete application and all appropriate forms. AND have applications and forms notarized.

Step Two:  Mail completed applications, forms, and copies of verification documents to your Pension Representative. (We suggest that documents be sent via certified or registered mail.)

Supporting Forms and Application

All forms may not be required.

Completed signed forms must be received in the Pension Office no later than the fourteenth (14th) day of the month preceding your month of retirement.  For example, if you wish to retire on June 1st, your completed application must be in the Retirement Plan Office no later than May 14th.

	Election of Normal Form of Payment - Election of Normal Form of Payment
	Election of Survivor OPTION A - Election of Survivor OPTION A
	Election of Survivor OPTION B - Election of Survivor OPTION B
	Federal income tax withholding election - Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments
	Opt Out of Retirement Plan Form - Use this form to Opt Out of Retirement Plan
	Retirement Allowance Application WITH Notary Seal - Use when submitting application by mail.
	Retirement Allowance Application WITHOUT Notary Seal - Use only while submitting application in person at the pension's office.
	Retirement Plan Designation or Change of Beneficiary - Use this form when designating or changing beneficiary
	Union dues deduction authorization - Union dues deduction authorization
	Waiver of deferred vested old-age retirement allowance - Waiver of deferred vested old-age retirement allowance