Retiring on July 1? Starting April 1, you can apply for retirement with “no lapse in pay”

If you’re planning to retire on July 1, make sure to mark April 1 on your calendar. April 1 is the first day to apply for a July 1 retirement and “no lapse in pay,” a guaranteed continuation of income and medical and dental benefits (if you’re currently enrolled, and eligible for benefits as a retiree) as you transition to retirement.

Applying for the “no lapse in pay” option is easy — simply click the opt-in box when you begin the retirement process in UC Retirement At Your Service (UCRAYS). (You can also submit a form to apply, but it’s much less efficient.) Around 80% of UC’s prospective retirees were approved for the option last year and received their first retirement benefit payment on August 1 as promised.

To be approved, you must meet eligibility requirements (see “Before you apply” below for details) and submit your No Lapse in Pay electronic opt-in or form, your signed Monthly Retirement Income election and all required documentation by Friday, May 12, 2023.

How it works

If you are approved for “no lapse in pay,” the UC Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC) will either pay your calculated benefit amount or a provisional payment of your estimated benefit (as it appeared on your Personal Retirement Profile); for most members these two amounts are identical. If there are differences between the provisional payment and the calculated amount, your benefit payment and premium deductions will be adjusted by the October 1 payment.

Before you apply

This option is only available for July 1 retirements which do not require special processing. Unfortunately, a few circumstances can make a prospective retiree ineligible for “no lapse in pay,” such as:

• You are choosing a lump sum cashout
• You have reciprocity with CalPERS or CalSTRS
• You have UCRP service credit in more than one retirement tier
• You have a legal obligation to divide your UCRP benefits (for example, in the event of a divorce, legal separation or termination of a domestic partnership) that has not been finalized

If you think you may qualify and would like to apply (beginning April 1, 2023), click the “No Lapse in Pay” opt-in box when you begin the retirement process in UCRAYS (or submit Form 168). You have until Friday, May 12, 2023, to apply and submit your signed Monthly Retirement Income election and all required documentation.

If you don’t qualify for “no lapse in pay”

It is UC’s goal to process your retirement and provide a statement confirming your retirement benefit within 45 business days of receiving your signed election. Please note that delays in receiving required documentation (along with other factors that may make your retirement more complicated) can slow down the process.

Timeline and deadlines for July 1 retirees 

For all prospective retirees, it’s important to prepare ahead of time and stay on top of the retirement process. Following the timeline below will keep you on track.

As soon as possible: Be prepared

• Review What to do when you’re preparing for retirement, a step-by-step guide with links to the resources you’ll need along the way.
• Gather required documentation — such as acceptable evidence of birth (for a spouse, domestic partner or a contingent annuitant), marriage and/or domestic partnership — so your retirement won’t be delayed if you need to order any replacement copies.
• If you may be eligible for Medicare, read the Medicare Fact Sheet to find out what you need to do to enroll and coordinate with your UC medical plan.
• If you have service credit with CalPERS or CalSTRS, read the fact sheet on UCRP/CalPERS ReciprocityPDF or on UCRP/CalSTRS Concurrent Retirement to learn more about your eligibility and any additional steps you need to take.
• If you may be required to divide property due to a divorce, legal separation, or termination of a domestic partnership, check with your legal advisor to make sure you have the documentation you need. See the Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) Fact Sheet for details.
• Register for a live retirement planning webinar:
  • Preparing for Retirement — offered the first Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
  • Retiree Health Benefits — Frequently Asked Questions — offered the third Wednesday of each month from 2-4 p.m.
  • The UC Retirement Process – Step by Step: offered monthly on Thursday mornings,  10 a.m.–11:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings, 5:30–8 p.m. 

April 1 – May 12, 2023: Apply for July 1 retirement with “no lapse in pay”

Questions?

To speak to a UC Retirement Administration Service Center representative, call 1-800-888-8267, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PT), or send a secure message through UCRAYS.