Prospective Retiree - Support Staff
When you retire, your benefits coverage will change. Some benefits end upon retirement and others continue throughout your retirement years.
If you are considering retirement, contact the HR Benefits Service Center at 212-851-7000 or email us at [email protected] to schedule a retirement facilitation with a Benefits Specialist to review your eligible benefits in retirement. These are the additional recommended steps that you should take.
Below is an overview of what happens to your benefits when you retire:
What Happens To My Benefits When I Retire?
Medical coverage (including prescription drug) is available upon retirement if you have satisfied eligibility requirements. To be eligible, Support Staff must be 55 years or older and have 10 or more years of full-time regular benefits-eligible service with the University, after age 45. For more information on eligibility, visit Eligibility for Retiree Benefits. Certain employment statuses do not apply to the service requirement; please contact the Columbia Benefits Service Center at 212-851-7000 or [email protected] for confirmation of your eligibility.
Dental coverage from Columbia University will end upon retirement.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs cease upon retirement. You will have 90 days following your retirement date to submit claims for expenses incurred in the current year up through your last day worked.
To submit a claim, complete the UHC Healthcare FSA Claim Form and/or the UHC Dependent Care FSA Claim Form and submit the form and receipts to UnitedHealthcare through www.myuhc.com. If you have any questions, call UnitedHealthcare at 800-232-9357 or go to www.myuhc.com.
Transit/Parking Reimbursement Program (T/PRP)
Your transit and parking reimbursement benefit will cease upon retirement. You will have 90 days following your retirement date to submit claims for expenses incurred in the current year up through your last day worked.
To submit a claim, complete the EBPA Transit/Parking Reimbursement Form and send it to EBPA. If you have any questions, call EBPA at 888-456-4576 or go to www.ebpabenefits.com.
If you are currently participating in Columbia's life insurance plan, your group coverage will end upon retirement. You are entitled to convert to an individual life insurance policy from the insurer for any amount up to your current group coverage. You cannot be denied life insurance coverage due to your health status. This means that you do not need to complete an evidence of insurability (EOI) form when converting coverage. Please note that New York Life Insurance Company recently acquired Cigna Group Insurance (CGI). As part of this transition, Cigna has changed its name to New York Life Group Benefit Solutions. The transition does not impact your current coverage or access.
Cigna Life will automatically send you a conversion notice and application when your retirement is processed. If you wish to convert your policy, you must complete the application and return it to Cigna.
You are eligible for a life insurance benefit. The amount of life insurance depends on your union affiliation, upon retirement. Please refer to your collective bargaining agreement for details.
Whether you were receiving contributions from Columbia University to your University Retirement Plan or making contributions to your Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan (VRSP), the contributions will cease upon retirement but your funds will remain available.
Tuition benefits cease upon retirement.