As we approach Open Enrollment and the end of the calendar year, this is often a time we hear from employees considering retirement. Below is a reminder of the phased retirement options and resources available to University of Hartford faculty and staff.
Phased Retirement Options for Staff
Staff members who are at least 55 years old and have completed 10 years of continuous, full-time employment are eligible to apply for a phased retirement plan. These plans may range from a minimum of six months to a maximum of two years.
Proposed plans require approval from the employee’s supervisor, department head, and appropriate university officer.
Staff members interested in exploring phased retirement are encouraged to contact Lindsay McKeegan, Director of HR Operations, at lmckeegan@hartford.edu to discuss individualized proposals and potential scenarios.
Phased Retirement Options for Faculty
Faculty members who are at least 55 years old, have completed 10 years of continuous, full-time employment, and hold a tenured, clinical/applied, extended temporary contract (ETC), lecturer, or an Associate in Music appointment are eligible to apply for a phased retirement plan. These plans may range from a minimum of one year to a maximum of two years.
Proposed plans must be approved by the appropriate collegiate dean and the provost.
Faculty members interested in exploring this option are encouraged to contact Robert McAlpin, associate provost for academic finance, administration, and planning, at mcalpin@hartford.edu or to discuss individualized proposals and potential scenarios.
Retirement Planning Resources
We recognize that deciding when and how to retire is a deeply personal decision, and each employee’s circumstances and goals are unique. To help employees navigate this transition, several retirement planning resources are available.
TIAA Retirement Education and Planning
TIAA offers both live and prerecorded webinars to help employees make informed decisions about retirement. Live webinar opportunities are announced monthly in UNotes, while prerecorded webinars are available anytime through the TIAA Webinar Library.
Employees can also meet individually with a TIAA representative to review their personal portfolios and develop strategies aligned with their retirement goals.
The University of Hartford’s dedicated TIAA representative will be on campus on Wednesday, November 11, and Thursday, December 10.
To schedule an appointment, visit TIAA Schedule Now and complete the following steps:
- Select a topic to discuss.
- Under “Show Meeting Availability For,” select Joe Fay.
- Under “How would you like to meet?,” select In-person at My Employer.
- Under “Where would you like to meet?,” select University of Hartford.
- Select your preferred date.
- Choose an available appointment time.
Social Security and Medicare Education
Human Resources also partners with USI, the University’s insurance broker, to offer live webinars on Social Security and Medicare. These sessions are offered on a rotating monthly basis and provide additional resources to help employees prepare for retirement.
Registration opportunities are announced as new sessions become available. Please keep an eye on UNotes for upcoming webinar options in November and December.
We're Here to Help
Whether you are considering phased retirement, beginning to plan for the future, or simply exploring your options, Human Resources is here to help you navigate the resources available to you. If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Human Resources at hrd@hartford.edu.