Retirement from Syracuse University
If you are age 55 or older and have completed at least five (5) years of service with Syracuse University, you are eligible to retire. Retirees have access to enroll in the Retiree Medical Benefits plan and may receive a partial subsidy toward the cost of the plan for themselves and eligible dependents. Please review more information about benefits offered to retirees, including the retiree benefits summary, as well as the following information:
- We strongly encourage anyone considering retirement to schedule an appointment with HR Shared Services to review information specific to you regarding benefit coverage and enrollment, including the effect of Medicare eligibility once you are no longer working. We encourage you to schedule this appointment as early as three months prior, but no later than two pay periods before, your planned retirement date to review this information and receive guidance about completing the necessary forms. Once you finalize your retirement date, be sure to provide your supervisor with at least two pay periods notice.
- You may also wish to schedule a one-on-one appointment with a TIAA representative to review your retirement account balance and distribution options. TIAA provides this counseling at no cost or obligation to you. You can contact TIAA at 855.842.2873 (TTY: 800.842.2755) or visit the TIAA website.
- It is important to consider the resources available through the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program through Carebridge to prepare you for the transition ahead.
- In addition, review information from ITS regarding what happens to your SUMail email account when you retire.
- Faculty members who are considering retiring should also consult the Office of Faculty Affairs and the Faculty Manual for information on emeritus/emerita status, as well as whether a voluntary phased retirement approach would be beneficial.
Separation from Employment
If you do not meet the criteria to retire, your separation from service will cause all benefits to stop on your last day of work. You can review information about continuing health coverage through COBRA by paying the full cost plus a two percent administrative fee, converting life or disability coverage to an individual policy, your final pay, and other important reminders in the separation checklist [PDF]. Employees planning to separate are strongly encouraged to give their supervisor two pay periods notice, in writing.
Review information from ITS regarding what happens to your SUMail email account when you retire or resign.
Contact HR Shared Services or your Senior HR Business Partner if you have any questions about separating or retiring. Should you require accommodations to access any information on this webpage, please reach out to HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.
Confidential exit interviews are used to gain valuable feedback from staff members on their experiences within their role, department, and at the University. Exit interviews can be requested by contacting your Senior HR Business Partner.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this website is accurate. However, benefits are governed by legal documents (which, in certain circumstances, may include insurance contracts). If there is any difference between the information in this website and the official documents, the official documents will control. As is the case with all of Syracuse University’s employee benefit plans, the University reserves the right to modify or terminate these benefits at any time.