Retirement Letter for support staff

Important Information on your upcoming MSU Retirement

We would like to take this opportunity to offer you our sincere congratulations upon your retirement. 

Please review the Effect of Retirement on Benefits. This document will provide an overview of how your benefits will be impacted, and any action needed, with your transition to retirement.  Additional information is provided below.

Health Care/Prescription Drug Plan, and Dental Plan

The university contribution toward your future retiree health care/prescription drug and dental premiums is based on your total Full Time Equivalent (FTE) service months at retirement and your Retirement Calculation Date, as described in the Retiree Benefits Policy.    

• You and your eligible dependents may be enrolled in an active employee MSU health care/prescription drug plan and/or dental plan.
  • Your active employee coverage will end with retirement, and you will need to enroll in retiree coverage.
  • Review the Retiree Open Enrollment Packet for information and costs on the plans available in retirement.
  • More detailed information is available at:
    • MSU Medicare Advantage Plan
    • MSU Non-Medicare Plan
• The health plan waiver ceases with retirement. If eligible, you will receive a check for a prorated amount based on the number of points accrued prior to retirement.
• Failure to enroll in retiree health care/prescription drug and/or dental plans timely will result in not having coverage.  The next opportunity to enroll would be during Open Enrollment in October (for coverage beginning in January) or if you have a qualifying life event (QLE).
  • To enroll, please complete the Retiree Enrollment/Change Form and return it in advance of your retirement by:
    • Email - SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu
    • Fax - 517-353-1869
    • Mail - MSU Human Resources, 1407 S. Harrison Road, Suite 110, East Lansing, MI 48823
    • HR Drop Box located - HR building parking lot (address above)
    • EBS Portal  - Within 30 days after your retirement date
  • Note: If you enroll using the Retiree Enrollment/Change Form above, you can disregard the automated "Retirement from MSU" email you will receive after your retirement date (unless you need to make other benefit changes).  
• If you are eligible for Medicare, you will need to enroll in Medicare up to three months prior to the effective date (see more Medicare details below).
• Surviving Spouse benefits may be available in the event of your death.

Medicare

• You and/or your covered dependents should apply for Medicare at least three months before reaching age 65 or once eligible, and must supply the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) number for you and your covered dependents to MSU Human Resources at least 45 days BEFORE the effective date of Medicare (or as soon as you receive it).
  • A copy of the Medicare card or a copy of the Medicare confirmation letter, in addition to the Retiree Enrollment/Change Form, will meet this requirement.
  • You will also need to enroll in the MSU Medicare Advantage Plan BEFORE the effective date. 
• If you are aged 65 or older at the time of retirement and eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) with Medicare, contact the HR Solutions Center to sign the required form.
• All MSU retirees and covered dependents will be required to enroll in Medicare Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Medical) when eligible, and pay the applicable Medicare premium.
• Enrollment in Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) is not necessary, as you will automatically be enrolled in prescription coverage when your MSU Medicare Advantage Plan becomes effective.

Support Staff Quota Payoff

• If eligible, you will receive payment for accrued sick, vacation, personal and pro-rated longevity when you retire. Please refer to your bargaining union contract and Sick Time Policy for details.
• If you wish to consider deferring the payments into a 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program or 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan, contact the HR Solutions Center to complete the Special Payment Deferral Form, at least one month prior to your retirement date.

Retirement Income

• Retirement income and/or information regarding your distribution options should be obtained by contacting your investment vendor(s).

Social Security Benefits

• Social Security is a federal benefit that provides a foundation of income in retirement.
• You should contact the Social Security Administration to understand your eligibility and determine the appropriate time to begin receiving income.

Flexible Spending Accounts

• Your contributions into the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) cease at the end of the month of your employment termination date.  You have until April 30 of the following year, that you cease employment, to submit claims for reimbursement. If you participate in the Health FSA at the time of retirement, you may be eligible to continue under COBRA. For more information, you can contact HealthEquity / EZ Receipts, MSU’s FSA benefit administrator.

Health Savings Account

• Your contributions into the Health Savings Account (HSA) will cease effective on your retirement date. For more information, you can contact HealthEquity, MSU’s HSA benefit administrator.

Voluntary Insurance  / Voluntary Benefits

• If you have the Optional Employee Paid Life Insurance Plan and are under the age of 70 when you retire, it will automatically continue. You will be billed for the appropriate premium. You may elect to cancel your coverage within 30 days of retirement.
• Your Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance Plan will cease with your retirement.
• If you have elected to purchase optional benefits through MSU Benefits Plus, you should contact those vendor(s) directly to notify them of your retirement and establish direct billing. If you need assistance in contacting these vendors, contact MSU Benefits Plus Customer Care at 888-758-7575.
• For VSP vision insurance, you will receive a COBRA notice from VSP once MSU notifies them of your retirement. However, you could also enroll in VSP vision insurance as an official MSU retiree. Retirees can contact VSP directly at 800-400-4569 for further information on vision insurance in retirement.

University Insurance

• Long-Term Disability (LTD), Business Travel Accident and Basic Employer-Paid Life Insurance coverage cease with your retirement.
• If eligible, you may convert the Basic Employer-Paid Life Insurance to a private policy with Prudential within 30 days of your retirement. Contact Prudential’s Customer Service Center at 877-232-3555 for conversion information.

Tuition Benefit Program

• If currently eligible, your spouse and/or dependent children would continue to be eligible for one-half the cost of tuition at MSU as defined by the Tuition Benefit Program.

Additional Information

• Please retain your current MSU ID card for use in retirement. Retirees and/or spouses may obtain a new or replacement ID card at the MSU ID Office in the International Center (Room 170) during normal business hours.
• As a retiree, you will retain your MSU NetID email address (@msu.edu).
• As a retiree, you will continue to have access to your benefits information using your MSU NetID and password through the EBS Portal.
• There is more retirement information and helpful hints on the MSU HR website outlining some of the discounts and benefits you may receive as an official university retiree.
• Important Note: Be sure that you carefully review Open Enrollment materials each fall. Those are the only communications you will receive regarding changes in coverage, premium sharing information, and other important information regarding your health and dental benefits.

If you need assistance making any changes or have questions about your benefits, please contact:

MSU Human Resources
1407 S. Harrison Rd., Suite 110
East Lansing, MI 48823
517-353-4434
800-353-4434
SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu