Retirement can be a wonderful and satisfying experience when you feel prepared for the big event. To retire from WSU, you must have attained age 55 and have either 10 years of service with the university or 5 years of university contribution into your retirement savings account.

Years of service means the continuous number of years a faculty or staff member has worked at WSU in a benefits-eligible employee classification. Time spent as a temporary employee is not included.

At the time of your retirement, your department will terminate your employment with the university and the HR Service Center will accommodate your benefit needs. 

Human Resources is here to assist you in the retirement process if you have questions or need assistance. We recommend that you review the Steps Towards Retirement below to develop a more complete understanding of the retirement process. A retirement consultation with HR is not required, however, you may certainly choose to schedule one if you have questions about the process.  Consultations or assistance may be requested by calling (313) 577-3000 (prompt 2). You may also e-mail retirement questions to askhr@wayne.edu.

• Step 1 Consult with Your Financial Advisor

  You may want to consult with a financial advisor to review your income projections and income options as well as complete forms to initiate any income payment options. 

  If you have WSU retirement savings accounts, consult with either:

  Make an Appointment 1-800-732-8353

  Make an Appointment 1-800-642-7131

• Step 2 Determine Your Benefit Requirements

  Prior to writing your Letter of Retirement, these documents are intended to provide key critical information that will help you understand the retirement process. Read the following documents and determine your benefit requirements:

  Retiring Benefits Fact Sheet 

  Retiring from University Service FAQ 

  Costs:

  COBRA & Unpaid Leave of Absence Rates

  Retiree, Surviving Spouses and Long-term Disability Recipients Rates

  Learn more about WSU Retiree Benefits

• Step 3 Write a Letter of Retirement

  If you've decided to retire, write a Letter of Retirement to your department head or supervisor and the HR Service Center (askhr@wayne.edu) stating your retirement intentions at least 2 weeks prior to your date of retirement. 

  Your Letter of Retirement should include your last day of employment and your date of retirement. The two dates should be consecutive. For example, if you listed February 9 as your last day of employment, it would then follow that February 10 is your date of retirement. Your department will process your termination; however, sending the HR Service Center your Letter of Retirement ensures that you're set up in the system as a retiree and that you'll receive the benefits associated with retiring (group life insurance, email continuation, etc.). Your Letter of Retirement does not mean you are automatically enrolled in WSU medical, dental or vision benefits (see step 4).

  Letter of Retirement Template - Download this fillable PDF to your computer to write your letter. You may write your own letter if you'd prefer, but be sure to include:

  • Your Name
  • Date of your last day of work (your termination date)
  • Your retirement date (the day after your last day of work)
  • Your 9-digit Banner ID or access ID
  • Your WSU e-mail address
• Step 4 Submit Benefit Forms

  If you're interested in WSU retiree medical, dental or vision benefits or would like to convert your life insurance to a personal pay option, you have 30 days from your date of termination to elect these benefits and submit the appropriate forms to the HR Service Center.  Election of COBRA benefits (continuation of your active employee benefits) documents must be submitted to NAVIA Benefit Solutions. 

  Navia Benefit Solutions bills and collects for all WSU retiree and COBRA benefits. Sun Life Financial will collect your premiums if you convert Life Insurance to a personal pay option.

  Learn more about WSU Retiree Benefits

  Benefit Forms
  Retiree Dental Plan Enrollment Form	Use this form to enroll in, change or terminate retiree dental plan coverage.
  Retiree Vision Plan Enrollment Form	Use this form to enroll in, change or terminate retiree vision plan coverage.
  Retiree Medical Plan Enrollment Form	Retirees, surviving spouses and long-term disability recipients use this form to enroll in a Wayne State University medical plans.
  Retiree Medical Plan Termination Form	Use this form to remove a dependent from your retiree health plan.
  2021 Aetna Medicare Plan (PPO) Enrollment Form	New Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible spouses use this form to enroll in the Group Aetna Medicare Plan (PPO).
  HAP Senior Plus HMO Enrollment Form	New Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible spouses use this form to enroll in the Group HAP Senior Plus HMO Plan.
  Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation Form	Retirees and long-term disability recipients use this form to edit life insurance beneficiaries.
  Conversion and Portability Application (pdf)	WSU fills this out for you (upon your request) during the conversion and portability process.

   

• Step 5 Obtain Your Retiree OneCard and Enjoy Your Retiree Benefits!

  To obtain your Retiree OneCard, which will provide you access to other retiree benefits, please visit or contact the OneCard/Parking Service Center after you have received your last active employee paycheck. 

  The OneCard/Parking Service Center is located in the Welcome Center on the corner of Warren and Woodward Avenue, Suite 257.

  Address: 42 W. Warren Avenue, Suite 257
  Detroit, Michigan 48202
  Phone: 313-577-CARD
  Email: onecard@wayne.edu
  Website: https://onecard.wayne.edu

  Your OneCard is critical in order to have access to the following benefits:

  Benefit	Contact Information
  Free university parking (Parking Structures 1-5 & 7-8).	OneCard/Parking Service Center Phone: 313-577-CARD Website: https://onecard.wayne.edu/
  Continued e-mail access - this is automatically set up for retirees	Computing & Information Technology Phone: 313-577-4357 Website: https://tech.wayne.edu/about/contactus
  Discounted rate at Mort Harris Recreation and Fitness Center (RFC) & Matthaei Center	Mort Harris Recreation and Fitness Center  Phone: 313-577-2348 Website: https://rfc.wayne.edu/membership
  Senior Citizen Reduced Tuition	Student Service Center Phone: 313-577-2100 Website: https://wayne.edu/registrar/tuition Email: studentservice@wayne.edu
  Library Access	retiree borrowing privileges
  Show Your OneCard & Save Discounts	Website: https://onecard.wayne.edu/show-your-onecard