- Retirees
- Understanding your retiree benefits
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Returning to work at UC after retirement
Returning to work at UC after retirement
Retired UC employees are a valuable resource, providing the University with institutional knowledge, research resources and experienced replacements when needed. Many employers, including UC, turn to their retirees to address compelling needs for specialized knowledge and experience in the workplace.
Most rehired UC retirees work on a part-time basis and for a limited duration, which supports the orderly administration of the retirement system and the need to refresh the UC workforce.
UC’s policy on returning to work after retirement applies to those who are receiving UC Retirement Plan (UCRP) monthly income and those who elected a lump sum cashout at retirement.
The rules for faculty are different from those for senior management and staff. Review the Returning to UC Employment After Retirement fact sheet PDF to make sure you understand the rules that apply to your situation.
UC’s health and welfare benefits eligibility rules for rehired retired staff and recalled academics are changing effective July 1, 2025. See Rehired retiree support resources below and Rehired retiree benefits eligibility for information about your benefits as a rehired retiree and how the policy changes may affect you.
What you need to do
Before returning to work at UC, retirees should:
You may remain enrolled in all retiree health benefits if you do not become eligible for employee health and welfare benefits upon rehire or during your re-employment.
There are important changes taking effect July 1, 2025, to UC’s benefits eligibility policy for some people who return to UC employment within 26 weeks (6 months) of retirement.
If you become eligible for employee benefits upon rehire, your enrollment in a UC retiree medical plan (if any) will be suspended whether you accept or decline UC employee medical coverage. Suspension of your UC retiree medical coverage means that you and your dependents will be ineligible to participate in a UC retiree medical plan during the period you are eligible for active employee medical coverage. If you are offered faculty/staff benefits, you’ll have a 31-day Period of Initial Eligibility to choose and enroll in UC employee coverage. Most rehired retirees who are eligible for faculty/staff benefits will be offered the Mid-level benefits package.
Note that if you’ve been rehired into a career position, you’ll have to suspend any medical, dental, vision and/or legal coverage you have as a retiree. You may enroll as an employee in any health and welfare benefits for which your reemployment qualifies you.
It is crucial for you to carefully assess your situation so you can make an informed decision that best aligns with your health care needs and financial situation. Please review the Returning to UC Employment After Retirement fact sheet PDF for details and Rehired retiree support resources for additional help.
Rehired employees (including retired faculty rehired into staff positions) must submit a completed UCRP Reemployed Retiree Notification form (UBEN 1039), available on UCnet or from your Benefits Office. The form documents your employment status and whether you are required to suspend your monthly retirement benefit. Retired faculty rehired into recall appointments do need to complete the form.
Retirees returning in a career academic appointment must send written notification to the UC Retirement Administration Service Center to suspend their retirement income.
Those who took a lump sum cashout are not required to sign the Notification Form.
For more information, see the Returning to UC Employment after Retirement Fact Sheet PDF.
Retirees who return to UC service may begin or resume making voluntary pretax salary deferrals to the 403(b) or 457(b) Plans, up to the IRS maximums. Visit myUCretirement.com or call Fidelity at 866-682-7787 to enroll.
Retirees who were rehired prior to January 1, 2009, are subject to the Rehired Retiree guidelines in place prior to implementation of the current policy until their appointment end date or a there is a change to their current appointment, whichever occurs first.
Individuals with indefinite end dates to their current appointments are subject to the Rehired Retiree guidelines in place prior to implementation of the current policy until their current appointment ends or there is a change to their current appointment, whichever occurs first.
Rehired retiree support resources
The changes in health and welfare benefits eligibility rules for rehired retired staff and recalled academics that will go into effect on July 1, 2025, could have important implications for your benefits if you return to work at UC.
To help you prepare, UC teams have developed a full range of resources:
- For detailed information and frequently asked questions about the policy, see Rehired retiree benefits eligibility.
- For personal assistance, book an appointment with an insurance liaison from the UC Retirement Administration Service Center.
- To better understand the new rules, attend the monthly Rehired Retiree Benefits Eligibility webinar or watch the recording.
- When: Second Friday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (PT).
- Join Zoom meeting: https://UCOP.zoom.us/j/92887245452?pwd=ItCbtAzKGJTSFnPY0V0tYELnEuWPmF.1&from=addon
- Meeting ID: 928 8724 5452; Passcode: 095559
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