Retirement from University Service
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 5). 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:
1-800-732-8353
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:
Retiree, Surviving Spouse and Long-Term Disability Recipient Benefits Handbook
Retiring from University Service FAQ
Costs:
COBRA & Unpaid Leave of Absense Rates - Plan 1
COBRA & Unpaid Leave of Absense Rates - Plan 2
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 it should include:
- Your name and date of letter written
- 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 Businessolver, Inc.
Businessolver, Inc. 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
Retiree Benefit Forms Use this form to enroll in, change or terminate retiree dental plan coverage. Use this form to enroll in, change or terminate retiree vision plan coverage. Retirees, surviving spouses and long-term disability recipients use this form to enroll in a Wayne State University medical plans. Use this form to remove a dependent from your retiree health plan. New Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible spouses use this form to enroll in the Group Aetna Medicare Plan (PPO). New Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible spouses use this form to enroll in the Group HAP Senior Plus HMO Plan. Retirees and long-term disability recipients use this form to edit life insurance beneficiaries.
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.eduYour 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/contactusDiscounted 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/membershipSenior Citizen Reduced Tuition Student Service Center
Phone: 313-577-2100
Website: https://wayne.edu/registrar/tuition
Email: studentservice@wayne.eduLibrary Access retiree borrowing privileges Show Your OneCard & Save Discounts Website: https://onecard.wayne.edu/show-your-onecard