Virginia Commonwealth University


Benefits


Pre-Retirement Planning

When planning for your retirement, there are many aspects to consider.  Retirement income, health and life insurance are just some of these topics.  

Got questions?  Need help?  Contact a Human Resource Generalist (e-mail hrgen@vcu.edu) at least 90 days prior to your retirement date so you can complete all of your retirement paperwork.  This action will help ensure that your retirement check and related benefits will not be delayed.

Information from VCU's Pre-Retirement Symposium held on November 9, 2006:

Information from VCU's Pre-Retirement Symposium held on September 29, 2005:

See also these topics:

Retirement Income

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) members can receive a monthly income benefit for life during retirement.  A number of payment options are available, including survivor benefits and PLOP (Partial Lump-Sum Option Payment).  VRS provides a comprehensive pre-retirement planning web page [see below] that allows you to (1) calculate your own estimated VRS benefit and (2) obtain information on your retirement options and purchasing service.   

VRS Retirement Planning  

VRS Member Handbook  

VCU Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) faculty participants obtain their retirement distributions from their chosen retirement vendors.  A variety of distribution options are available – ranging from annuities or systematic withdrawals to lump-sum distributions.  However, faculty must start an ongoing periodic annuity or withdrawal for life to be considered retired from the University and eligible to receive retiree health care coverage.  Distributions are also subject to federal and state taxes and possibly a 10% penalty, depending on age at time of distribution and method of distribution.

ORP faculty should contact a retirement counselor with their respective ORP vendor. 

Retiree Health Insurance

Faculty and staff who immediately begin receiving a retirement income from either the VRS or the ORP, as applicable, when they leave the University may also apply for coverage under the state retiree health insurance program.  Application for retiree health is required within 31 days of retirement. 

Comprehensive Overview of Retiree Health Options

(Note:  Health care costs may fluctuate from year to year.  Anticipate possible increases when planning your retirement.)

Retiree Health Care Credit

Faculty and staff with 15 or more years of state service may be eligible for the state’s retiree health credit.  The health credit is designed to help offset the cost of retiree health care.

Read more about it in the VRS Retiree Health Care Credit Fact Sheet

Retiree Life Insurance

To be eligible for retiree life insurance, you must be at least age 50 with 10 years of state service or age 55 with 5 years of state service.  The value is your current basic life insurance amount at retirement; and it reduces by 25% each year on January 1, beginning after the first full year of retirement.

Basic Life Insurance  

Optional Life Insurance 

Long-Term Care Insurance

If you currently have long-term care (LTC) insurance through Aetna, either as a VSDP participant or you purchased on a voluntary basis, contact Aetna before you retire to find out how to continue this insurance coverage after retirement.

Retirement Forms

Click here for the most current versions from VRS. 

Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) Program and Cash Match Plan

See the TDA web page for your options upon retirement.

Social Security Administration

Other Retirement Resources

If you have questions or you need further assistance with your retirement benefits, contact a Human Resource Generalist at hrgen@vcu.edu

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Mailing address:  Virginia Commonwealth University  |  Human Resources - Benefits Administration
Human Resources Building, 104 North Belvidere Street, P.O. Box 842511  |  Richmond, VA  USA  23284-2511
Phone:  (804) 827-1770 (Voice)  |  (800) 828-1120 (TDD)  |  Fax:  (804) 828-0321  |  Email:  benefits@vcu.edu
                 
This page is maintained by the VCU Human Resources web team   |   Revised:  April 25, 2007

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