RETIRED OR PLANNING TO RETIRE
As you approach retirement, GSU is here to support you through every step of this significant transition. This page offers essential resources, guidelines, and tools to help you plan and prepare for retirement with clarity and confidence. Here, you'll find information on retirement planning, account transitions, and critical updates on account access after retirement.
To ensure a seamless transition, we encourage you to review the provided checklist and familiarize yourself with our new account management procedures, effective for retirements after December 31, 2024. These updates are designed to enhance the security and efficiency of our digital environment while protecting both university and personal data.
Please explore each section below for detailed instructions and helpful resources. If you have any questions or need assistance, reach out to our support team at help.gsu.edu.
Planning for Retirement
Ready to Retire? These steps will prepare you to retire from GSU!
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement!
This check list will assist you with completing the important steps as you make the transition to retirement.
Do you meet one of the four eligibility requirements?
- At least 60 years old with at least 10 years of service with benefits at GSU.
- At least 25 years of service with benefits and with the last 5 years of continuous service at USG.
- At least 30 years of service with benefits and with the last 5 years at USG.
- Totally and permanently disabled and have 10 years of continuous service with USG in a regular, benefits eligible position.
Review the University System of Georgia, "Definition of a USG Retiree" - Policy 8.2.8.2 & 8.2.8.4 online to confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria.
Meeting the requirements for retirement under the University System allows you to continue benefits with USG contribution where applicable. Medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage may continue once you retire.
Note:
- You may cancel any of your benefit plans at anytime.
- You are no longer subject to pre-tax rules on your premiums.
- Once a plan is cancelled, you cannot re-enroll in the future.
- Life events allow changes to be made to plans that you are already enrolled in.
Remember, you must have continuous coverage in order to add a dependent. If you drop or cancel coverage for any reason, you will lose your USG retiree benefits now and in the future.
Please visit: USG Retiree website for more information about planning for retirement.
Before you Retire - Take Action!
You are responsible for making sure the following items are taken care of:
- Official Retirement Notification - Submit a written intent to retire letter to your department, direct Manager or Department Chair (at least 90- 120 days prior for FY -12- month Faculty and Staff; at least one semester prior for AY Faculty).
- MSS Transaction - An MSS transaction (electronic Personnel Action) must be initiated by your Business Manager or HR Coordinator. This action provides formal notification to the Benefits Office of your upcoming retirement.
- Update - mailing/home address, telephone, and email through the OneUSG Connect – Employee Self Service Portal click on the Personal Details tile.
- Age 65 & Older Employees & Dependents - Retirees and dependents are required to obtain supplemental medical coverage through Alight Retiree Health Solutions. If you are not already enrolled in Medicare Part A & B you must obtain coverage to be eligible for retiree healthcare through Alight. To enroll in Medicare Part B, an Employer Form -CMS-l564 will be sent to you by the Benefits Office. The documents must be submitted to your local Social Security Office at least 90 days prior to your retirement date.
- HSA Accounts – No contribution allowed if enrolled in Medicare. Withdrawals made at 65 may be used for expenses other than medical, dental and vision. HSA money is yours forever and it is portable.
- ORP/403b/457 Account(s) – Contact your retirement vendor to initiate your transaction.The Plan Administrator’s signature may be required on vendor forms to start the distribution or rollover of funds. Contact the Benefits Office to have the form completed. Forms may be faxed to our confidential fax at 404.413.3324. If you are faxing forms to us, please do not include full social security numbers on forms.
- Flexible Spending Accounts - There is a 90-day grace period (after employment end date) to submit claims for services incurred before your employment end date. No card transactions permitted after your termination date. To request a reimbursement, access your account online at www.hsabank.com or contact HSA Bank 1-833-228-9352
- Retiree ID - Obtain a Retiree ID at the PantherCard Office.
- Complete the Clearance Process - Your Department will initiate and advise which process is used. Online: Processes and Procedures - Finance & Administration (gsu.edu) or manual process.
Pre-65 Retirees & Dependents - Retirees and dependents remain on the USG health, Dental, Vision and Life plans. You will receive billing from the OneUSG Connect-Benefits after you are retired. Dependent children may be covered up to age 26. Once they are no longer eligible for coverage, they are removed from the plan. Note: If you’re Pre-65 and Medicare eligible, the HMO plan will default to Comprehensive Care.
Age 65 & Older Retirees & Dependents – Medicare eligibility is a determining factor in how healthcare coverage will transition. Dental, Vision and Life Insurance is provided through the USG you will receive separate billing after you are retired.
Contact
P.O. Box: GSU Benefits Office P.O. Box 3982 Atlanta, GA 30302 – 3982
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (404)413-3330
Fax: (404)413-3324
OneUSG Connect Benefits Center: 1-844-587-4236
New Procedure: Retiree Account Deletion for GSU Employees Retiring After December 31, 2024
Employees of Georgia State University (GSU) who retire after December 31, 2024, will lose access to their email, calendar, and OneDrive accounts, which will be deleted three months following their retirement date. This procedure is essential for maintaining the security and integrity of GSU’s digital systems and information.
Retirees who retired before January 1, 2025, are exempt from this procedure and will retain their email and OneDrive accounts. Prospective retirees may request an exception to account deletion for valid reasons, which should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than two months after their retirement date. Requests for exceptions to maintain email and OneDrive access will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Provost’s designee (for academic units) and the VP for Finance and Administration’s designee (for non-academic units). If employees or retirees have any questions, contact help.gsu.edu.
Alternatively, for continued access to auxiliary services such as library databases, retirees can have an affiliate network account sponsored, even without an associated email and OneDrive account.
To ensure a smooth transition, the following steps should be taken by retirees before their accounts are deleted:
- Update Their Email Address: Provide an alternate email address in OneUSG to continue receiving important notices regarding their retirement accounts and benefits. How to Update and Add an Additional Email Address in OneUSG Connect
- Retain Important Documents: If retirees have documents or contacts that need to remain accessible to GSU personnel after their retirement (including those required to be retained under the USG retention schedules or subject to a litigation hold), the retiree should collaborate with the department or campus unit and IIT support to copy them into a shared drive or to retain the account.
- Set Up Auto-Reply: Retirees should set up an auto-reply message effective on their retirement date, providing their alternate contact information.
- Copy Personal Documents: Retirees should copy any personal documents, emails, or contacts they wish to retain to a personal account. Retirees should not move or copy any documents or emails that contain sensitive, confidential, or proprietary information.
- Update External Accounts: Retirees should change any external accounts (such as LinkedIn or database accounts) linked to their GSU email address to their personal email address.
If employees or retirees have any questions or require assistance, contact help.gsu.edu.
Why is this procedure changing?
Reasons for This Change:
- Resources: The university is storing a significant amount of data in retiree accounts that are no longer being used for university purposes, resulting in unnecessary costs.
- Cybersecurity: Unnecessary data storage increases the risk of data breaches. Some employee email and OneDrive accounts may contain sensitive information, such as student education records, that should not remain accessible indefinitely.
- Role Confusion: The @gsu email domain may lead recipients to believe that emails are being sent on behalf of the university. This is one reason why organizations typically do not allow retirees to keep their email addresses indefinitely. For example, if someone receives an email from a GSU address, they may reasonably assume it is an official communication from the university.
- Open Records Act: Emails and documents stored in employee email and OneDrive accounts are generally subject to the Georgia Open Records Act, which could create complications if these accounts are used for personal purposes.
HR for You!
Here are some upcoming HR events, certificate programs, and Tuition Assistance Program at Georgia State.
Designed to boost your career, these opportunities are perfect for enhancing skills and expanding knowledge. Your participation will enrich both your personal growth and our Georgia State community.
Need More Help?
If you have a question, need assistance, or have a recommendation, please email [email protected] or call 404-413-4747. If our HR service desk associates cannot answer your question, they will connect you with the correct human resources staff and/or Georgia State office.