Step 1: Click on the button to get the paperwork for MassMutual Ascend.
On page 1, fill in personal information and contract number.
On page 2, select Single Lifetime Income to receive the benefit for yourself or Joint Lifetime Income to receive the benefit for you and your spouse.
If you have questions about the difference in the amounts, please contact the company because they will need to calculate it for you.
Select how often you would like to receive the payments and the date you would like the payments to begin.
On page 3, you will need to make a selection for tax withholding. They will automatically withhold 20% for a 403(b) account. A withholding of 10% for an IRA is standard, but you may opt out.
Fill in your banking information if you would like the funds directly deposited to your bank account.
Leave page 4 blank.
On page 5, make sure the box “I waive my 30-day consideration period.” is checked or they will hold your request for a month before processing.
Select the reason for the request, either Age 59 or Severance from Employment.
On page 6, sign and date the Signature of Owner/Annuitant/Participant space.
On page 7, you do not need to have the form notarized.
Step 2: All transactions must be approved by the school district’s third-party administrator (TPA). The TPA is for the employer at which you were working when you set up the account.
Check the email you received for your school district’s third-party administrator so you can follow their procedures.
If you have questions about their forms or their procedures, please contact them directly.
Step 3: Submit all forms to the TPA.
Step 4: Wait one week to follow up with the TPA.
When they approve your request, they will forward the paperwork to the company.
Step 5: Wait one week and follow up with Mass Mutual Ascend by calling 800-854-3649. You will need to contact them as they will be setting up your income.