- Hired before 2012: vested after 5 consecutive years. Hired in 2012 or later: vested after 10 years, 5 of them consecutive. Once vested, you keep a future pension unless you withdraw your contributions.Summary Plan Description (2026), pp. 8-9, Vesting Eligibility
- If you leave, you can keep your contributions in the plan (they keep earning interest) or withdraw your contributions plus interest, but not before 45 days after your last paycheck. A cash refund has 20% federal tax withheld. Withdrawing ends your right to any pension.Summary Plan Description (2026), p. 9
- If you leave before 5 consecutive years, your service is forfeited unless you come back within 4 months (2 years after an involuntary termination) or later earn 5 consecutive years. Refunded service can be restored by repaying the refund plus interest.Summary Plan Description (2026), p. 12, Break in Service
Are you vested?
| First hired | Vested after | Pension starts |
|---|---|---|
| Hired before Jan. 1, 2012 | 5 years in a row | Month after you turn 62 |
| Hired on or after Jan. 1, 2012 | 10 years, 5 in a row | Month after you turn 65 |
Hired before 1/1/2012: vested after 5 consecutive years. Hired on or after 1/1/2012: vested after 10 years, 5 of them consecutive. Once vested you keep a future pension for service earned unless you withdraw your contributions. Summary Plan Description (2026), pp. 8-9, Vesting Eligibility; p. 12, Break in Service
If you leave before you can retire, a vested pension starts the first of the month after your 62nd birthday (hired before 1/1/2012, 5 consecutive years) or 65th birthday (hired on or after 1/1/2012, 10 years with 5 consecutive). There is no reduced early option for a former employee. A former employee with 20 years that include service before July 1, 1976 can start at 60. Summary Plan Description (2026), p. 18, Table 2 (Vested); Office of Pensions workshop slides (Aug. 4, 2026), slide 9 ('effective first of the month following 62nd birthday' / '65th birthday'); SEPP FAQs (saved Nov. 12, 2026), Vested Pension
The law and the Office of Pensions' FAQ let a former employee with 20 years that include service before July 1, 1976 start a vested pension at 60. The Summary Plan Description's table lists only age 62. This matters only to people who worked before mid-1976.
29 Del. C. §5522(b)(1); SEPP FAQs (saved Nov. 12, 2026), Vested Pension; Summary Plan Description (2026), p. 18, Table 2Taking a refund
If you leave before you can draw a pension you may leave your contributions in (they keep earning interest) or withdraw your contributions and interest. Refunds cannot be paid until at least 45 days after your final paycheck. A cash payout has 20% federal tax withheld; it can instead be rolled over. Withdrawing ends your membership and any right to future benefits. If you return, you can repay the refund plus interest to restore the service. Summary Plan Description (2026), p. 9, Termination of Membership; Withdrawal of Contributions; p. 12, Break in Service
Coming back
If you leave before 5 consecutive years, your service is forfeited unless you return within 4 months (or within 4 months after military service, disability or approved leave), within 2 years after an involuntary termination, or later earn 5 consecutive years and repay any withdrawn contributions with interest. Summary Plan Description (2026), p. 12, Break in Service; 29 Del. C. §5501(e)(6)
To see what a vested pension would pay, tick "I've already left" in the calculator. See also which plan and buying service.
Questions
When am I vested?
Hired before 2012: after 5 years in a row. Hired in 2012 or later: after 10 years, 5 of them in a row.
If I leave, when can my pension start?
A vested former employee's pension starts the first of the month after you turn 62 (hired before 2012) or 65 (hired 2012 or later). There's no reduced early option once you've left.
How soon can I get a refund?
No sooner than 45 days after your final paycheck. 20% federal tax is withheld from a cash refund unless you roll it over. A refund ends your right to a pension.
Source: State Employees' Pension Plan Summary Plan Description, 2026 edition (PDF dated May 14, 2026), pp. 8-9, 12, 18. Also: Office of Pensions workshop (Aug. 4, 2026), slide 9; Office of Pensions SEPP FAQs; 29 Del. C. §§ 5501, 5522, 5523, 5530. Last reviewed .