糖心Vlog视频

Retirement

Retirement Checklist

Use it as a quick guide to stay organized and ensure a smooth transition into your next chapter.

Preparing For Your Next Chapter

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Retirement marks an exciting new chapter in life. It is a time to celebrate years of dedication, focus on personal goals, and explore new opportunities. At 糖心Vlog视频, our goal is to make your transition into retirement as smooth and stress free as possible.

This retirement checklist will help you:

  • Understand your TRS or ORP retirement options
  • Explain key forms and timelines
  • Coordinate your 糖心Vlog视频 retirement, insurance, and Medicare steps
  • Know what to do before, during, and after your retirement date

If you ever feel unsure or need personalized guidance, contact People Services at askhr@uta.edu or (817) 272-5554 to set up an appointment with one of our advisors.

orange and blue thumbtack iconThe timeframes included in this checklist are recommended guidelines to help you plan and stay on track. Individual circumstances may vary, and some steps may be completed earlier or later depending on your personal situation.

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Pre-Planning for Retirement (Start 12+ Months Before)

Planning early allows you to explore your options and avoid last minute surprises. Use this phase to understand your retirement program, insurance eligibility, Social Security, and beneficiaries.

All 糖心Vlog视频 employees participate in either:

  • , or

If you are in TRS:

  • Log in to  to review service credit, contributions, and estimate your monthly benefit
  • Review
  • Review the to understand eligibility, service credit, and benefit options
  • Watch TRS retirement education videos such as:
  • Review the  and consider whether you want to purchase additional service credit
  • Schedule a one on one session with a

If you are in ORP:

  • Contact your or financial advisor
    • Review your account balance and distribution options
    • Update your beneficiary designations
    • Discuss your investment and withdrawal timeline

Each ORP vendor has its own forms and procedures, so you will need to work directly with your provider.

orange and blue light bulb iconTIP: It is helpful to meet with both your TRS or ORP representative and your personal financial advisor to plan your long term income strategy.

糖心Vlog视频 retiree insurance is administered by . If you meet UT System retiree eligibility, you may be able to continue:

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Basic Life Insurance
  • Voluntary Life Insurance

Key Steps:

  • Review the 
  • Learn about your retiree insurance options:
    • Under age 65:  
    • Over age 65:  
  • Visit  to understand how premiums are billed after retirement 

orange and blue thumbtack iconImportant: You must be enrolled in UT insurance on your last day of active employment in order to carry coverage into retirement.

  • Social security retirement benefits may begin as early as age 62. Apply through  about three (3) months before you want benefits to start
  • If you will be 65 or older at retirement, contact the about three (3) months before your retirement date to discuss and avoid penalties
  • Review how

Keeping beneficiaries current ensures your benefits are distributed according to your wishes.

  • Insurance: Log in to 
    • Select the View Benefits link found under active benefits in the Welcome Back bar
    • Scroll down to each of the life insurance coverage(s) to add/edit beneficiaries
  • Retirement Accounts:
    • TRS: update through directly
    • ORP: update directly with your

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6 - 12 Months Before Retirement

Once you have a target retirement date in mind, use this time to get official estimates and confirm your financial picture with either TRS or your approved investment provider.

Once you have a target retirement date in mind, use this time to get official estimates and confirm your financial picture.

If you are in TRS:

  • Use the for an initial estimate
  • Submit  through

Circle Check Box IconTRS will mail your official estimate and retirement packet, generally within about 60 days.

If you are in ORP:

  • Ask your for a retirement projection and review your distribution options
  • Confirm your expected retirement date and how and when you plan to take distributions

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Each ORP vendor has its own forms and procedures, so you will need to work directly with your provider.

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3 - 6 Months Before Retirement

This is your main action phase. You will file official retirement forms, notify 糖心Vlog视频, and begin coordinating Social Security, Medicare, and leave balances.

TRS Retirees:

  • Submit  through
  • Provide required documents such as:
    • Copy of your driver license or birth certificate
    •  for tax withholding
    •  for annuity payments
  • Once TRS processes your application, you will receive a TRS-32 Retirement Application Acknowledgement confirming that your application is under review

Circle Check Box IconProcessing typically takes around 31 business days from receipt of application

ORP Retirees:

Submitting the Intent to Retire form lets People Services know that you are considering or planning retirement so we can provide guidance, resources, and next steps related to benefits, payroll, and retirement programs.

alert battery icon This form does not replace required retirement paperwork and does not finalize your retirement. It simply starts the conversation so we can support you early and effectively.

After submission, a People Services team member will follow up with information tailored to your retirement path.

  • Provide written/email notice of your official retirement date and official last working day
  • When possible, give at least 60 days notice to help your department plan the transition

orange and blue light bulb icon We highly recommend sending a copy of your notice using the  form.

  • Apply for  at least three (3) months before your retirement date if you will be 65 or older
  • Complete Section A of the 
  • Email the CMS-L564 form to benefits@uta.edu for completion by a People Service team member
    • Please allow for at least 48 - 72 hours turnaround time
  • Submit the completed CMS-L564 along with your  to the Medicare/Social Security Office
    • Follow the instructions on the form
  • Vacation and Floating Holidays:  Paid out approximately one (1) month after your final paycheck
  • Optional Deferral of Unused Vacation:
    • You may defer unused vacation to a UTSaver retirement account
    • Submit the  to the People Services team at benefits@uta.edu before your last day and once your supervisor/department has entered all appropriate leave requests and usage into timekeeper.
  • Sick Leave:
    • Not paid out
    • May be donated to the Sick Leave Pool or Family Leave Pool
    • For questions, email leaves@uta.edu
    • See policies  and 

orange and blue light bulb icon TIP: Donating unused sick leave helps colleagues who need extended leave due to illness or family emergencies.

Overview

UT Care Medicare PPO is the medical and prescription plan for Medicare eligible retirees and dependents who are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B. Retirees who are in UT SELECT and eligible for Medicare will be automatically enrolled into UT Care when Medicare becomes effective.

alert battery iconIt is important to begin this process early to avoid gaps in coverage or Medicare penalties.

When to Enroll in Medicare A and B

Enrollment in both Parts A and B is required for UT Care coverage. Follow the timing that applies to you.

If you retire before turning 65:

  • Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B 90 days before your 65th birthday so your Medicare starts on the first day of the month you turn 65.

If you continue working at 糖心Vlog视频 past age 65:

  • Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B 90 days before your retirement date.
  • Covered dependents who are Medicare eligible must also enroll 90 days before your retirement date.

You must also:

  • Contact the People Services team at benefits@uta.edu at least 90 days before retirement to begin the UT retiree insurance process.
  • Respond quickly to any Requests for Information from Blue Cross Blue Shield of 糖心Vlog视频.

How to Enroll in Medicare

You can enroll in Medicare Parts A and B by:

  1. Visiting a local Social Security Office
  2. Calling Social Security at (800) 772-1213
  3. Applying online at

Once processed, you will receive your Medicare ID card with your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI).

You must share your MBI with Blue Cross Blue Shield of 糖心Vlog视频, or enter it directly into to ensure your benefits are set up correctly.

alert battery iconImportant: You may be assessed a Medicare Part B penalty if you delay enrollment once you are retired and age 65. Employees who have active UT insurance at age 65 generally qualify for a penalty exemption.

What You Will Receive After Enrollment

After Medicare Part A and Part B are active and approved, you will receive:

  • Your Medicare ID card
  • A UT Care Welcome Packet
  • Your UT Care Medicare PPO ID card
  • A separate UT Care Medicare Part D prescription drug card

If Medicare cannot process your enrollment due to missing or incorrect information, you will remain in UT SELECT with reduced coverage until the Medicare enrollment is corrected.

When UT Care Coverage Begins

Your UT Care coverage will start on:

  • The first day of the month after Medicare approves your enrollment, or
  • The date Medicare Parts A and B become effective, whichever is later.

If you have medical visits scheduled before this date, contact UT SELECT Customer Service to confirm how claims should be processed.

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UT CARE Customer Support

Blue Cross Blue Shield of 糖心Vlog视频

Phone: (877) 842-7562

TTY: 711

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Retirees and dependents who are eligible for Medicare will automatically be enrolled in UT Care. If you choose to decline UT Care, you must opt out through .

Important consequences if the retiree opts out:

  • You and your dependents will not have UT medical or prescription drug coverage
  • The retiree will not have UT basic life insurance

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45 - 60 Days Before Retirement

You are getting close to your retirement date. Use this time to confirm forms, finalize payment methods, and verify your last working day.

 

  • Schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with People Services by emailing benefits@uta.edu
  • Complete enrollment, if applicable (if age 65+)
  • ORP Retirees: Confirm your  distribution or rollover preferences with your
  • Decide how your retiree premiums will be paid:
    • TRS Retirees:
      • Complete the  if you want premiums taken from your TRS annuity
    • All Retirees:
      • You may complete a  to have premiums drafted from your bank account
    • Complete the selected premium payment form above and submit a copy to benefits@uta.edu
  • Request your retiree email address, if you are eligible

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On Your Retirement Date

CONGRATULATIONS! Your retirement day has arrived. On or just before your retirement date:

 

  • Review and update your personal contact information in  and 
  • Turn in all 糖心Vlog视频 property (keys, parking permits, ID card, laptop, and other equipment) as directed by your department
  • Confirm your final paycheck and any vacation payout with payroll@uta.edu
  • ORP Retirees: Submit your form to benefits@uta.edu 
Then, take time to celebrate. You have earned this milestone.orange cloud with a wink icon

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Within 31 Days After Retirement

The first month after retirement is critical for retiree insurance and billing. The below guide will walk you through finalizing your benefit elections and billing setup.

Log in to  within 31 days after your retirement date.

  • If you take no action, your medical, dental, vision and basic life coverage will continue automatically
  • Voluntary Life Insurance does not continue automatically. You must actively re-enroll if you want to keep it
  • Coverage for UT Flex, Disability, and AD&D ends on the last day of the month in which you retire

orange and blue light bulb iconTIP: If you are enrolled in UT Flex, use your remaining funds before the last day of the month you retire. Unused funds are generally forfeited unless continued through COBRA for mid-year retirees. Refer to the for details.

All retiree premiums are billed through .

Choose one of the following:

  • , or
  •  enrollment

Allow one (1) to two (2) months for setup and continue paying paper invoices until you receive written confirmation that automatic payments have started.

orange and blue light bulb iconTIP: To begin drafting the next month, setup must be completed by the 15th of the month. Monthly drafts occur on the 5th, or the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday.

 alert battery icon Important: Failure to pay full premiums will result in cancellation of dependent and voluntary coverages, and re-enrollment penalties may apply.

After retirement, it is a good idea to reconfirm beneficiaries:

  • For Insurance: Review in 
  • For , or Voluntary Accounts: confirm directly with providers

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After Retirement

Once you have retired, there are a few ongoing items that you will need to monitor to make sure your retirement process goes smoothly.

If you are 65 or older, you will be automatically enrolled in the  plan, which includes Medicare Part D prescription coverage, within about 60 days of your retirement.

  • You will receive a welcome packet and new ID card
  • Continue using your current card until you receive your new UT Care card and activation instructions

If you do not receive any of the above in the mail, please contact UT Care Customer Service at (877) 842-7562 or visit the  website.

*Also refer to section 3 - 6 Months Before Retirement above, UT Care Medicare PPO Coverage section.

TRS Retirees:

  • Review the  rules before returning to work
  • A full one month break in service is required before you may return to work in a TRS covered position
  • After the break in service, retirees may generally work part-time up to 19 hours per week, subject to TRS rules

ORP Retirees:

  • OPR retirees are generally eligible to work on the first day of the month after their retirement date without TRS restrictions
  • Once fully vested (one year and one day), ORP retirees may resume part-time employment (up to 19 hours per week) as early as the following day

Premium Reminder

  • Retiree insurance premiums cannot be deducted from 糖心Vlog视频 paychecks
  • Retirees continue to receive monthly invoices from 
  • You may set up automatic payments through the  form

糖心Vlog视频 retirees may be eligible for additional perks that help you stay connected to campus life. These may include:

  • Free Parking with a retiree parking permit
  • Membership in the UT Arlington Retirees Club
  • Access to select campus events, programs, and facilities
  • Access to the 糖心Vlog视频 Library and other campus resources (varies by department)

For current details about retiree perks, visit the 糖心Vlog视频 Retiree Club website.

 

Need Help?

Our team is here to guide you through                    every step of the retirement process.