Pre-Retirement Checklist
On This Page
- Contact Your Mandatory & Voluntary Retirement Programs
- Contact Social Security (if applicable)
- Provide Notice to Your Department and Human Resources – Benefits
- Decide what to do with your Accrued Paid Time Off
- UT System Retiree Group Insurance
- Pay Your Retiree Premiums – UT Benefits Billing (UTBB)
- Keep In Touch
- Return to Work Retirees
Contact Your Mandatory & Voluntary Retirement Programs
Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Retirees:
Contact TRS six months prior to retirement (suggested) to speak with a TRS Counselor for questions on eligibility to retire. You can speak to TRS Member Services by calling 1-800-223-8778, Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. You can also review the Planning for Retirement page on the TRS website. This page provides information that will help you decide when it is the right time for you to retire and what retirement option is best for you.
Submit a completed “Request for Estimate of Retirement Benefits” (TRS18 form) to receive your retirement packet, no later than three months before your anticipated retirement date. You may print, complete and mail the form, or you can complete and submit it electronically from your MyTRS account on the TRS website. You can also call TRS to request the packet. This will allow sufficient time to receive your packet, complete the forms and return any required forms directly to TRS. Once you receive your TRS packet, set up an appointment to meet with your Benefits Administrator.
Optional Retirement Program (ORP) Retirees
Contact your ORP provider or financial advisor three months before retirement to review distribution options and beneficiary designations.
UTSaver Program
Individuals currently or previously contributing to the TSA 403(b) and/or the DCP 457(b) should contact their provider or financial advisor to review distribution options and beneficiary designations. Human Resources suggests that you contact your provider or financial advisor at least three months prior to retiring. Current UTSaver participants should stop contributions effective the first of the month following retirement using MyRetirementManager.com.
Contact Social Security (if applicable)
Social Security Benefits
Social Security benefits are generally available at age 62 or older. Retirees should contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at least three months before the date you want benefits to start. You may apply online, in person or by calling the SSA at 800-772-1213. Please note that not all individuals are able to apply online or by phone.
Medicare
Medicare is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and is generally available at age 65 (younger if due to a disability). To avoid significant financial penalties, you should contact your SSA office at least 3 months prior to your retirement date to discuss your enrollment options. Retirees will need to enroll in Medicare Parts A (hospitalization) and B (medical), online or by phone at 800-772-1213. You will decline Medicare Part D (prescription), as the UT System Retiree pharmacy plan is a type of Medicare Plan D plan. For additional information about UTSELECT and Medicare, visit the UTSELECT and Medicare page. Details about the Prescription Drug Plan coverage can also be found online.
Provide Notice to Your Department and Human Resources – Benefits
Notify your Department and your designated Benefits Administrator of your intent to retire at least 3 months prior to your retirement date. Once your department has been notified, they will walk you through the Checkout Procedure and the process of returning University property and closing University accounts (department charge cards, keys, computers and devices, network access, etc.).
Decide what to do with your Accrued Paid Time Off
Unused Vacation Pay
Retirees can defer all or a portion of unused vacation pay to a Deferred Compensation (DCP) account under the UTSaver DCP Vacation Deferral option. If interested, please complete the Annual Leave Deferral Purchase/Change Agreement form. Human Resources highly recommends submitting the form to your Benefits Administrator 3-4 weeks prior to your retirement date. You must have a DCP 457(b) account established with an approved provider in order to successfully defer unused time off pay.
Sick Leave Pool Donation
Sick time off is not paid to you when you retire, however you may donate your unused balance to the Sick Leave Pool. If interested, please complete and submit a Sick Leave Pool Donation Form. Sick leave donation must be made prior to your last day of active employment. Retirees who donated their sick time and return to state employment will not have their sick leave balances restored.
UT System Retiree Group Insurance
You can learn more about your Eligibility for the UT System Retiree Group Insurance online, and review the lifetime benefits available to you as a UT System Retiree under the Retiree Employee Insurance page.
TRS Retirees
When you meet with your Benefits Administrator to submit the necessary forms included in your TRS packet, you will also complete and submit an enrollment form for your retiree benefits.
ORP retirees
When you meet with your Benefits Administrator to submit the necessary forms including your ORP Declaration of Retirement form, you will also complete and submit an enrollment form for your retiree benefits.
Pay Your Retiree Premiums – UT Benefits Billing (UTBB)
Payment Options
You can set up Direct Payment/Debit Authorization to have your premiums drafted directly from your bank, or for TRS retirees, you can set up your premiums to deduct from your TRS annuity. These options are estimated to take 1-3 months to activate. While you wait for confirmation that your bank draft has been activated, you must make other payment arrangements using any of the listed options on the UTBB page. For questions on your retiree insurance billing, you will contact UTBB directly.
Keep In Touch
Consider joining the UT Dallas Retiree Faculty/Staff Association, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wellbeing of the University, its retirees and the community. Its mission is to promote continued collegiality and communication among retired faculty and staff and provide a vehicle for them to remain in contact with each other and support the goals and endeavors of their University. Additionally, you can find helpful resources for retirees on the UT Dallas HR website moving forward. You will also receive communications from our office regarding events such as Annual Benefits Enrollment, health clinics and other notices that are relevant to retirees.
Return to Work Retirees
- ORP retirees may return to work immediately after retirement without restrictions.
- TRS retirees should review the Employment After Retirement brochure (pdf) provided by TRS. To avoid losing your retirement benefits, please review the brochure thoroughly, and contact TRS for questions or to discuss your particular return-to-work scenario. Please note that you are responsible for complying with TRS’ return-to-work requirements.
- For additional information about how your return to work may impact your benefits, please visit the Employment After Retirement webpage on the HR website.