Preparing to Retire - Timelines
These timelines support your preparations and planning as you approach retirement. Employees are encouraged to use the timelines as well as resources offered by their retirement provider to ensure a smooth and informed transition into retirement.
2+ years prior to retirement
- Access your online OPERS account to determine retirement eligibility. OPERS offers a number of resources to assist with navigation of the account.
- Review eligibility to retire and qualifications to be an Ohio State retiree and post-university retirement benefits.
- Determine sick payout eligibility.
12 to 18 months prior to retirement
- Attend an OPERS educational event.
- Attend an Ohio State: Preparing to Retire webinar.
6 to 12 months prior to retirement
- Schedule a Benefit Counseling session with OPERS – recommended by OPERS to walk you through the retirement application, run benefit estimates, discuss payment options and answer your questions along the way.
- Schedule a Preparing to Retire Consultation with an Ohio State Benefits Analyst to address questions you have about retiring from the university.
- Discuss retirement plans with your supervisor.
2 to 6 months prior to retirement
- Submit your retirement application to OPERS.
- Provide written notice of your retirement date to your supervisor.
- Submit your resignation/retirement in Workday.
- Confirm the date of your final paycheck by referring to the Payroll Calendar.
- Determine eligibility for non-university health plans.
- Determine OPERS HRA eligibility and review VIA Benefits.
- Begin the Medicare enrollment process (if eligible).
- Apply for Medicare by visiting your local Social Security office or medicare.gov. Questions pertaining to Medicare eligibly or enrollment should be directed to the Social Security office.
- If enrolling in Medicare after the Initial Enrollment Period [a 7-month window starting 3 months before the month you turn 65, including your birth month, and ending 3 months after], the Social Security office requires a CMS-L564: Request for Employment Information form. If applicable, submit a request via the HR Connection Portal or by emailing HRConnection@osu.edu.
- Need Help? The Ohio Department of Insurance provides Medicare beneficiaries with free, objective, health insurance information and one-on-one counseling through a program called the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP).
Prior to your last day of employment
- Review Retiree Group Term Life Insurance offering and, if desired, make an election (if eligible) and designate beneficiaries.
- Determine leave payout amount (if eligible) and estimate final paycheck.
- Update contact information in Workday, including home address, email, and telephone number.
- Print payslips and print W2s – access is available for 60 days post employment.
- Forward personal emails and contacts to a non-university email.
- If desired, submit 403(b)/457(b) contribution changes via NetBenefits by the deadlines posted on the SRA Election Calendar. To enroll or change your contribution amount at Ohio Deferred Compensation (ODC) visit Ohio457.org.
Effective date of retirement
- Medical, dental, vision, prescription, disability and employee life insurance will end on your last day of employment.
- If a loss of coverage letter is required to enroll in other coverage, you may request a Certificate of Coverage by emailing HR Connection.
- Health Reimbursement Account and Flexible Spending Account funds can be used until the filing deadline for eligible expenses incurred while employed and eligible.
- Lifestyle Spending Account reimbursement requests must be submitted within 15 days from the termination date.
31 days after retirement
- Option to port/convert life insurance with Securian/Minnesota Life.
- COBRA letter will arrive to the address listed in Workday (3 weeks).
60 days after retirement
- Last date of name.#@osu.edu email access.
- Last date to access Workday. Verify contact information is up to date and correct, print pay slips, and previous tax year documents (if required).
5 years after retirement (or when max limit is reached)
- Deadline for University Retirees to utilize Dependent Tuition Assistance benefit.
2-3 years prior to retirement
- Access your online STRS account to determine retirement eligibility. STRS offers a number of resources to assist with navigation of the account.
- Schedule a Benefit Counseling session with STRS – recommended by STRS to discuss your account, retirement estimates, benefits, application processes, and health care coverage.
- Review eligibility to retire and qualifications to be an Ohio State retiree and post-university retirement benefits.
- Determine sick payout eligibility.
12 to 18 months prior to retirement
- Review STRS Getting Ready to Retire videos.
- Attend a Late Career STRS seminar or webinar.
- Attend an Ohio State: Preparing to Retire webinar.
6 to 12 months prior to retirement
- Schedule a Benefit Counseling session with a STRS Retirement Counselor to discuss key retirement planning items.
- Schedule a Preparing to Retire Consultation with an Ohio State Benefits Analyst to address questions you have about retiring from the university.
- Discuss retirement plans with your supervisor.
3 to 6 months prior to retirement
- Submit your retirement application to STRS- 3-6 months before retirement date.
- Provide written notice of your retirement date to your supervisor.
- Submit your resignation/retirement in Workday.
- Confirm the date of your final paycheck by referring to the Payroll Calendar.
- Determine eligibility for non-university health plans.
- Determine eligibility for STRS Health Coverage.
- Begin the Medicare enrollment process (if eligible).
- Apply for Medicare by visiting your local Social Security office or medicare.gov. Questions pertaining to Medicare eligibly or enrollment should be directed to the Social Security office.
- If enrolling in Medicare after the Initial Enrollment Period [a 7-month window starting 3 months before the month you turn 65, including your birth month, and ending 3 months after], the Social Security office requires a CMS-L564: Request for Employment Information form. If applicable, submit a request via the HR Connection Portal or by emailing HRConnection@osu.edu.
- Need Help? The Ohio Department of Insurance provides Medicare beneficiaries with free, objective, health insurance information and one-on-one counseling through a program called the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP).
Prior to your last day of employment
- Review Retiree Group Term Life Insurance offering and, if desired, make an election (if eligible) and designate beneficiaries.
- Determine leave payout amount (if eligible) and estimate final paycheck.
- Update contact information in Workday, including home address, email, and telephone number.
- Print payslips and print W2s – access is available for 60 days post employment.
- Forward personal emails and contacts to a non-university email.
- If desired, submit 403(b)/457(b) contribution changes via NetBenefits by the deadlines posted on the SRA Election Calendar. To enroll or change your contribution amount at Ohio Deferred Compensation (ODC) visit Ohio457.org.
Effective date of retirement
- Medical, dental, vision, prescription, disability and employee life insurance will end on your last day of employment.
- If a loss of coverage letter is required to enroll in other coverage, you may request a Certificate of Coverage by emailing HR Connection.
- Health Reimbursement Account and Flexible Spending Account funds can be used until the filing deadline for eligible expenses incurred while employed and eligible.
- Lifestyle Spending Account reimbursement requests must be submitted within 15 days from the termination date.
31 days after retirement
- Option to port/convert life insurance with Securian/Minnesota Life.
- COBRA letter will arrive to the address listed in Workday (3 weeks).
60 days after retirement
- Last date of name.#@osu.edu email access.
- Last date to access Workday. Verify contact information is up to date and correct, print pay slips, and previous tax year documents (if required).
5 years after retirement (or when max limit is reached)
- Deadline for University Retirees to utilize Dependent Tuition Assistance benefit.
Any time prior to retirement
- Meet 1:1 annually with an ARP provider representative to determine if current investment allocations and account balance aligns with your retirement goals.
1½ to 2 years prior to retirement
- Based on prior conversations with your retirement provider, review your current ARP provider statements to determine retirement readiness.
- Review eligibility to retire and qualifications to be an Ohio State retiree and post-university retirement benefits.
- Determine sick payout eligibility.
12 to 18 months prior to retirement
- Attend an in-person seminar or webinar offered by your ARP provider.
- Attend an Ohio State: Preparing to Retire webinar.
6 to 12 months prior to retirement
- Schedule an appointment with an ARP provider representative to discuss retirement distribution options and obtain any necessary paperwork.
- Schedule a Preparing to Retire Consultation with an Ohio State Benefits Analyst to address questions you have about retiring from the university.
- Discuss retirement plans with your supervisor.
3 to 6 months prior to retirement
- Review the Ohio State distribution page to determine the appropriate method for requesting a distribution.
- Provide written notice of your retirement date to your supervisor.
- Submit your resignation/retirement in Workday.
- Confirm the date of your final paycheck by referring to the Payroll Calendar.
- Determine eligibility for non-university health plans.
- Begin the Medicare enrollment process (if eligible).
- Apply for Medicare by visiting your local Social Security office or medicare.gov. Questions pertaining to Medicare eligibly or enrollment should be directed to the Social Security office.
- If enrolling in Medicare after the Initial Enrollment Period [a 7-month window starting 3 months before the month you turn 65, including your birth month, and ending 3 months after], the Social Security office requires a CMS-L564: Request for Employment Information form. If applicable, submit a request via the HR Connection Portal or by emailing HRConnection@osu.edu.
- Need Help? The Ohio Department of Insurance provides Medicare beneficiaries with free, objective, health insurance information and one-on-one counseling through a program called the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP).
Prior to your last day of employment
- Inform your provider of your distribution decision and submit any necessary paperwork.
- Review Retiree Group Term Life Insurance offering and, if desired, make an election (if eligible) and designate beneficiaries.
- Determine leave payout amount (if eligible) and estimate final paycheck.
- Update contact information in Workday, including home address, email, and telephone number.
- Print payslips and print W2s – access is available for 60 days post employment.
- Forward personal emails and contacts to a non-university email.
- If desired, submit 403(b)/457(b) contribution changes via NetBenefits by the deadlines posted on the SRA Election Calendar. To enroll or change your contribution amount at Ohio Deferred Compensation (ODC) visit Ohio457.org.
Effective date of retirement
- Medical, dental, vision, prescription, disability and employee life insurance will end on your last day of employment.
- If a loss of coverage letter is required to enroll in other coverage, you may request a Certificate of Coverage by emailing HR Connection.
- Health Reimbursement Account and Flexible Spending Account funds can be used until the filing deadline for eligible expenses incurred while employed and eligible.
- Lifestyle Spending Account reimbursement requests must be submitted within 15 days from the termination date.
31 days after retirement
- Option to port/convert life insurance with Securian/Minnesota Life.
- COBRA letter will arrive to the address listed in Workday (3 weeks).
60 days after retirement
- Last date of name.#@osu.edu email access.
- Last date to access Workday. Verify contact information is up to date and correct, print pay slips, and previous tax year documents (if required).
5 years after retirement (or when max limit is reached)
- Deadline for University Retirees to utilize Dependent Tuition Assistance benefit.