Human Resources
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5217 USA
(269) 387-3620
Emeritus status may be recommended for faculty members who are retiring provided that they have a minimum of ten (10) years or the equivalent of full-time service in a board-appointed, ranked faculty position.
Human Resources encourages employees exiting the university to complete a confidential, exit interview with a HR Representative. This allows for the employee to provide feedback to HR for continual improvement. If you are interested in an exit interview, please contact your HR Representative to schedule a meeting.
If you need assistance with identifying your HR Representative, visit https://wmich.edu/hr/representatives
Please work with your department to ensure you have returned all WMU-owned property and/or equipment.
TIAA provides University employees with individual appointments with a financial advisor at no cost. Employees and retirees may ask about investment options and strategies, retirement planning, or other investment matters. To schedule an appointment, please visit taa.org/wmich and scroll down to select “schedule an appointment with a financial advisor.”
As a retiree, it will be important to ensure your beneficiary information is kept up-to-date. You may maintain this information via TIAA’s website, or by contacting TIAA customer service at 800-842-2776.
TIAA has additional information on their website at tiaa.org/wmich, which may be helpful as you plan and prepare for retirement.
MPSERS
Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System retirees are eligible for medical, dental and vision coverage through their specific plan. Contact MPSERS through Michigan's Office of Retirement Services website at www.michigan.gov/ors or via phone at 800-381-5111.
Prepare for retirement by using miAccount. A pension estimate - your most important pension planning tool - can be run from miAccount using the numbers your employer reports to ORS. Log in and run your estimate today!
Personal Financial Consultants
As you transition away from WMU, you may wish to make changes to your retirement accounts. We strongly advise you to partner with representatives at TIAA, MSPERS, or another personal financial consultant when you are making these decisions.
Current WMU Benefits
You may access your current benefit details by selecting your applicable employee group at https:/wmich.edu/hr/employees.
Retiree Health Care Benefits
You will find information about health care benefits available to WMU Retirees at https://wmich.edu/hr/health-retirees, including the most recent benefits guide.
The benefits guide contains useful information for retirement planning and also contains the appropriately monthly costs for health care benefits. Please reach out to your HR Representative if you have additional questions.
You may submit your health insurance payment each month via a personal check, or you may opt to have your monthly benefit’s premium automatically deducted from your checking or savings account each month. If you choose the electronic funds transfer (EFT), HR recommends that you contact Accounts Receivable to set up this account.
As a WMU retiree, you are eligible to make changes to your health insurance when a qualifying event occurs (e.g. marriage, divorce, loss of a dependent, etc.). You also have the option to make changes each year during open enrollment.
Flexible Spending
Eligibility to participate in Dependent Care or Medical Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) ceases on the date of retirement. Reimbursement for claims incurred prior to retirement may be submitted to HSA Bank up to 90 days after retirement. If you participate in Medical FSA at the time of retirement, you may be eligible to continue under COBRA, as long as you continue to make contributions (after tax). You will receive additional information via HSA Bank regarding how to elect continued coverage.
https://www.hsabank.com/hsabank/homepage
Life Insurances
The Standard Insurance Company, the University’s group life insurance carrier, provides eligible employees the option to purchase individual life insurance without providing proof of good health when employees separate from active Western Michigan University employment. You may find a copy of the Certificate of Coverage at https://wmich.edu/hr/lifeinsurance-certificates.
To inquire about eligibility, please contact the Continuation of Benefits department at (800) 378-4668 or by e-mail at @email. The Standard will provide the necessary forms and information. Please note that you have 60 days from your last day of employment to apply for continuation of any life insurance benefits.
Long Term Disability (LTD)
Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits will end on your retirement date.
Tax Deferred Savings Plans - 403(b) and 457(b)
Contributions to your taxed deferred savings accounts will end with your last paycheck for hours worked at the University. Contact TIAA regarding your options to access these contributions.
TIAA Representative
Ryan Hallowell - Financial Consultant at TIAA
Phone: (517) 203-3657
Email: @email
Open Enrollment
Retirees will continue to receive Open Enrollment information every year. Open enrollment usually begins late fall. Any desired changes become effective on January 1 of the following calendar year.
Medicare info
Active employees
If you are an active employee insured under a WMU health plan, and are age 65 or older, you may delay enrollment in Medicare until retirement. If your active coverage includes a spouse who is age 65 or older, or a dependent eligible for Medicare, they may also delay Medicare enrollment until you retire. Please note that some employees may wish to enroll in Part A of Medicare if they are still working at age 65 because there is no out of pocket cost to the individual; however, they may choose to delay enrollment in Part B until retirement through the Special Enrollment Period to avoid additional out of pocket expenses. You may find the enrollment form for a Special Enrollment Period available in the forms section.
Current or future retirees
Retirees under age 65 - You and your eligible dependents should contact Medicare to enroll for Medicare Parts A (Hospital) & B (Medical) at least three months prior to reaching age 65 (Note: You do not need to enroll in Medicare Part D as WMU’s medical coverage provides prescription coverage).
Retirees age 65 and older – you and your eligible dependents should contact Medicare to enroll for Medicare Parts A (Hospital) & B (Medical) at least three months prior to the employee's retirement from WMU (Note: You do not need to enroll in Medicare Part D as WMU’s medical coverage provides prescription coverage). You may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period requiring completion of Medicare's Request For Employment Information form, which WMU Human Resources will sign.
You must provide a copy of all Medicare identification cards for you and your eligible dependents to Human Resources to continue your WMU health coverage. Failure to enroll in Medicare may result in disenrollment from your WMU retiree health plan. In addition, there could be a penalty added to your Medicare premium for not enrolling timely.
If you are a MSPERS participant, you will be advised to enroll in Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D.
For details about Medicare, including coverage and premium costs, please visit their website at www.medicare.gov. You may also wish to contact your local Social Security office. You may use the Social Security Locator to find your local office.
COBRA information
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives employees and their families who lose their medical, dental and vision coverage the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by WMU for limited periods of time due to certain “qualifying events.” Qualifying events include voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. After a qualifying event, COBRA coverage may be offered to each person who is a qualified beneficiary. You, your spouse, and/or dependent children may become qualified beneficiaries if you lose group medical, dental and vision coverage because of a qualifying event.
HSA Bank administers the COBRA benefit for WMU. Employees and/or eligible dependents will receive a letter mailed to their home address on file after experiencing a qualifying event. COBRA coverage must be accepted within 60 days from the date of the qualifying event. By law, COBRA benefits are required to be the same as those made available to similarly situated active employees. If the group changes the plan coverage, coverage for you will also change. Qualified employees and/or dependents will be required to pay premiums for COBRA coverage directly to HSA Bank. Your cost will equal the full cost of the coverage plus a two percent administrative fee (102%). Your cost may change over time, as the cost of benefits under the plan changes. COBRA information may be found at https://wmich.edu/hr/openenrollment-cobra.
For more information regarding HSA Bank, please visit https://www.hsabank.com.
Social Security Administration
Individuals should contact the Social Security Office to apply for benefits, at least three months prior to their benefits beginning. Benefits may begin as early as age 62 (related to retirement) or age 60 (related to widow(er) benefits). Individuals should consult with the Social Security Office to confirm their eligibility and the best age to begin benefits. Individuals do not have to retire from WMU to begin receiving benefits. For more information, please visit ssa.gov.
Survivor Benefits
If a retiree passes away, surviving spouses and eligible dependents may wish to continue their health insurance benefits. Benefit details and cost information are available at wmich.edu/hr/health-retirees.
Additional/Special Pay Information
If you will receive additional payouts (e.g. sick leave and/or annual leave payouts) after your last work period, you will receive the monies from these payouts via the Special Pay Process (see Employee Handbook, Section 14). If your payout exceeds the 403(b) maximum contribution limits set by the IRS during the calendar year of retirement, WMU will establish a 415(m) payment on your behalf through TIAA. You may wish to have the funds paid out immediately or consider deferring the payout of these funds (see 415(m) enrollment form).
Payout of any additional monies will be paid on a separate check, one to two pay periods, after the last check for hours worked.
For questions, please contact TIAA
Ryan Hallowell - Financial Consultant at TIAA
Phone: (517) 203-3657
Email: @email
Last paycheck info
Visit the pay schedule to determine when you will receive your last paycheck.
Updating Personal Data
Please update any name changes, addresses and phone numbers through the employee Self Service. For more information visit https://wmich.edu/hr/resources/selfservice.
415(m) Form
If you receive a payout that exceeds the 403(b) maximum contribution limits set by the IRS during the calendar year of retirement, WMU will establish a 415(m) payment on your behalf. You will need to designate how to have the funds paid out – immediately - or consider deferring the payout.
Coming soon: Link to 415(m) enrollment form.
Sample Retirement Letter
This is a sample form letter that may be used to submit at the time of retirement notice to your supervisor and/or department.
Coming soon: Link to sample retirement letter.
Medicare late enrollee form
If you are retiring after age 65, and have not enrolled in Medicare part B, please complete section A of the Request for Employment Information form and return to WMU Human Resources to complete section B. The enrollee will submit the completed form when applying for Medicare part B.
Benefit Enrollment and Changes Form
Coming soon: Addition of retire option to PPO health insurance enrollment and change form.
MPSERS Health Care Reimbursement Information for Retirees
Coming soon: MPSERS health care reimbursement information for retirees.
Medicare Information for Retirees
Coming soon: Medicate information for retirees.
TIAA Information for Retirees
Coming soon: TIAA information for retirees.
Retirement Planning Checklist
Coming soon: Retirement planning checklist.
Retirement Planning
Prepare for retirement by using miAccount. A pension estimate - your most important pension planning tool - can be run from miAccount using the numbers your employer reports to ORS. Log in and run your estimate today!
Notification Period
Apply for retirement, both pension and health care benefits, through MPSERS via their miAccount web portal for members. MPSERS asks for 90 days’ lead-time for this process. The notification to MPSERS may be different than your notification to WMU.
Picking a retirement date
When you are identifying the date to retire, it is advantageous for your retirement date to be the last day of a calendar month. MPSERS health care benefits are always effective on the first day of a month. This leaves no gap between the end of your WMU coverage on your retirement date and the day MPSERS’s coverage begins. Additionally, this gives the shortest gap between your last paycheck from WMU and your first pension check from the state.
Pension
You will need to make a number of decisions regarding your MPSERS pension. Please consult the Office of Retirement Services website for details.
Health Insurance
Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) retirees are eligible for medical, dental and vision coverage through their specific plan. Contact MPSERS through Michigan's Office of Retirement Services website. You will elect a health care program to be effective with your retirement. Health care contributions are made by deduction from the monthly pension check. Learn about MPSERS plans and rates information
Benefit cost reimbursement
WMU reimburses you for premiums attributable to your coverage via MPSERS twice per year, in July and January. Submit copies of your pension payment statements to WMU Human Resources.
Option to consult with TIAA Financial Planner
A TIAA Representative is available to help with financial planning. Contact TIAA at tiaa.org/wmich.
Ryan Hallowell - Financial Consultant at TIAA
Phone: (517) 203-3657
Email: @email
Future employment
WMU does not have a waiting period for reemployment at WMU after retirement. However, WMU retirees are not eligible for appointment or re-appointment to a benefits-eligible position at the University. Under most circumstances, MPSERS imposes both a waiting period and earning limitations upon retirees who are employed or re-employed by a MPSERS reporting unit. Please consult with MPSERS for specific reemployment and earnings limitations.
WMU retirees qualify for a number of benefits and privileges. Eligibility for a particular benefit is governed by applicable policy, program definitions, rules and regulations. Benefits for WMU retirees are distinct from those for which active employees may be eligible.
Information Technology Systems
Retirees maintain their Bronco ID, email, and OneDrive accounts when they retire.
You will need to utilize VPN to access secure sites off campus, including Employee Self Service.
Contact the OIT Help Desk if you need assistance with any of these services at https://wmich.edu/it/
Bronco ID Card
Retirees have the option to upgrade the WMU Bronco Card to reflect your retiree status. Your Bronco card will enable you to take advantage of the many privileges you have as a retiree, such as athletic ticket discounts and library privileges. There is no charge; you will just exchange the old Bronco card for a retiree card. Contact Parking Services to upgrade your retiree Bronco card.
Library Privileges
Retirees have borrowing privileges at WMU libraries by showing your Bronco ID.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Western Michigan University is designed for adults 50 and older who love to learn about different subjects, expand their horizons through travel, attend fun and engaging social events, and make connections with fellow knowledge-seekers. OLLI is a volunteer-driven organization with members who are very involved and look forward to welcoming you into their dynamic community. To learn more about OLLI at WMU, visit The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute or contact the office at (269) 387-4157.
Parking Permit
Retirees are eligible to maintain their WMU parking permit for parking in "R" lots. There is no charge to retain your parking permit; however, you will need to renew your virtual parking permit each year in October. You will need to log in to Parking Services website using your Bronco ID and password to certify your parking permit. Contact Parking Services if you have any questions.
Sindecuse Health Center and Unified Clinics
Retirees covered by the University’s retiree health plan are eligible to utilize services at Sindecuse Health Center, including pharmacy, and Unified Clinics. For questions on eligible services, contact:
Recreation and Athletic Centers
Retirees are eligible to access the Student Recreation Center and West Hills Athletic Center. For questions on membership services, contact:
Tuition discounts and remission
Retirees are eligible for continuation of tuition discount and tuition remission benefits. For more information on the policy, visit https://wmich.edu/hr/handbook-tuition
WMU Bookstore
Retirees remain eligible for discounts at the WMU Bookstore.
25 Year Club
Retired members with 25 or more years of service are considered members of the 25 Year Club and are invited to the annual 25 Year Club Gala. Information about the Club and membership are located at https://wmich.edu/hr/25yearclub
I am thinking about retirement. Am I eligible to retire as a WMU retiree?
Please refer to the appropriate policy or collective bargaining agreement based on your employment group to determine eligibility. Your Human Resources Representative can confirm your eligibility.
Where can I go to discuss financial planning related to my WMU retirement?
Human Resources recommends that you contact them at least 90 days in advance of your planned retirement.
What healthcare benefits are available to me and when I retire?
Western Michigan University
Current WMU Retiree Healthcare Benefits information can be found here.
MPSERS
You will elect a health care program (medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision) to be effective with your retirement. Learn about MPSERS plans and rates information.
When should I consult with Human Resources about retirement, and what will they tell me?
Human Resources will be able to confirm your retirement eligibility, and compile all pertinent information related to the specific benefits available to you. It is recommended to contact Human Resources approximately six to 12 months before your planned retirement date.
I need information about Social Security and/or Medicare Benefits. Where can I find this?
Please contact the Social Security Office directly, at least 90 days in advance of your planned retirement.
If you are age 65 or older at retirement, you will also need to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B. For details about Medicare, including coverage and premium cost, see their website or contact your local Social Security office. Use the Social Security Locator to find your local office.
Active employees
If you are an active employee insured under a WMU health plan, and are age 65 or older, you may delay enrollment in Medicare until retirement. If your active coverage includes a spouse who is age 65 or older, or a dependent eligible for Medicare, they may also delay Medicare enrollment until you retire. Please note that some employees may wish to enroll in Part A of Medicare if they are still working at age 65 because it is free, and will delay Part B enrollment until retirement through the Special Enrollment Period.
Current or future retirees
Retirees under age 65 (and their spouse and/or other insured eligible dependents) should contact Medicare to enroll for Medicare Parts A (Hospital) & B (Medical) at least three months prior to reaching age 65 (Note: You do not need to enroll in Medicare Part D).
Retirees age 65 and older (and their spouse and/or other insured eligible dependents) should contact Medicare to enroll for Medicare Parts A (Hospital) & B (Medical) at least three months prior to the employee's retirement from WMU (Note: You do not need to enroll in Medicare Part D). You may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period requiring completion of Medicare's Request For Employment Information form, which WMU Human Resources will sign.
You must provide a copy of all Medicare identification cards to Human Resources to continue WMU health coverage. Failure to enroll in Medicare may result in disenrollment from your WMU retiree health plan. In addition, there could be a penalty added to your Medicare premium for not enrolling timely.
I do not wish to enroll in retiree health insurance now, but may decide to do so later. Is this an option?
Yes. Eligible WMU retirees may enroll in retiree health insurance within 31 days of a qualifying event, and/or during annual open enrollment.
Can I return to work as a WMU employee after I retire?
WMU retirees are not eligible for appointment or re-appointment to a benefits-eligible position at the University. However, future employment as a temporary employee is permitted. MPSERS retirees are subject to additional re-employment restrictions by the Michigan Office of Retirement Services, including a waiting period and earnings limitations. Please consult with MPSERS for specific reemployment and earnings limitations information.
What do I do if a retiree or their dependent passes away?
Please contact WMU Human Resources to notify WMU of the death and to discuss benefits.