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Rehired retiree benefits eligibility

UC’s health and welfare benefits eligibility rules for rehired retired staff and recalled academics are changing effective July 1, 2025. If you are a current or prospective rehired retiree, please review the information, resources and frequently asked questions below carefully to make sure you understand how returning to UC employment after retirement may affect your benefits.

Key takeaways

  • Benefits eligibility rules for rehired retirees are changing on July 1, 2025.
  • All rehired retirees will be assessed for faculty/staff benefits eligibility.
  • Some will be offered the Mid-level faculty/staff benefits package.
  • Some will have retiree medical enrollment suspended, and Medicare will no longer be assigned to UC.
  • Most rehired retirees will be able to return to retiree medical after a period of time, which is variable depending on hire date.

How will my benefits be affected?

To determine if the policy changes will apply to you, select the option below that best fits (or will fit) your situation.

I am (or will be) a recalled or rehired retiree who is:

Getting help

If you need help understanding how a decision to return to UC employment may affect your benefits, we have resources to support you.

For questions about the policy changes or retiree benefits, UC employees and retirees should contact the UC Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC).  RASC offers live webinars, weekly office hours focused on Medicare questions, and one-on-one counseling.

Health & Welfare Benefits offers a monthly live webinar on benefits eligibility for rehired retirees. See Rehired retiree support resources for details.

For questions about eligibility for faculty/staff benefits, please contact UCPath

Questions regarding RMDs for the Retirement Savings Program (403(b), 457(b) and DC plans) should be directed to Fidelity at 1-800-558-9182.


Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

We’ve answered some common questions below.

FAQs: Understanding changes to benefits eligibility for rehired retirees

FAQs: Options for your health benefits

FAQs: Costs of faculty/staff coverage

FAQs: Medicare considerations

FAQs: Pension and retirement savings


[1] The Without Salary (WOS) job type is defined in the UCPath system. An example is “Emeritus WOS.” The WOS job type is not equivalent to a zero FTE (0%) appointment, as other job types may be appointed with zero FTE. Also, the WOS pay group is not equivalent to the WOS job type.  Only WOS job types are, by definition, ineligible for Faculty/Staff benefits.  Zero FTE appointments in non-WOS job types and appointments with the WOS pay group are subject to the terms of the rehired retiree benefits eligibility policy.

[2] In the rare case in which an employee was eligible for Mid-level benefits at the time of retirement, is rehired less than six months after retirement, and is eligible for faculty/staff benefits upon rehire, they will be automatically re-enrolled in the same benefit plans in which they were participating prior to retirement.

[3] If subject to Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) for Medicare Parts B & D, the total cost of the UC Medicare plan and Part B could be higher than the UC non-Medicare premium.

[4] In the rare case in which an employee was eligible for Mid-level benefits at the time of retirement, is rehired less than six months after retirement and eligible for faculty/staff benefits upon rehire, they will be automatically re-enrolled in the same benefit plans in which they were participating prior to retirement.

[5] The number of hours worked is derived from the employee’s pay, which in most cases is proportional to the employee’s appointed FTE. In addition, locations report hours worked by employees with zero FTE appointments.