Retirement
Retirement is an exciting, and sometimes daunting, transition to make after a long and fulfilling career. This webpage is a collection of resources intended to assist MSU faculty and academic staff members as they prepare for and make the transition into retirement. Colleagues from across the Michigan State University community recommended many of these resources. We invite an ongoing development of this webpage.
Retirement Resources from MSU HR
Retirement Information for Faculty and Academic Staff
Personal Considerations and Preparation
Retirement represents a major transition into a new stage of life. It involves personal considerations and preparation. The following resources may be helpful as you prepare for an enriching retirement.
Presentation slides by John Brown, Psy.D. of the University of California, San Francisco
Article by Betsy McCalla-Wriggins, Rowan University
MSU Human Resources Workshops: Roadmap to Retirement
Roadmap to Retirement is a half-day workshop offered several times a year. This workshop is designed for MSU faculty, academic staff, and support staff who have a plan to retire within one to two years, and covers a range of topics critical to your successful retirement.Topics include MSU benefits in retirement, an overview of Social Security, and financial preparation tips. Registration is available through EBS, “Courses for MSU Employees,” then search for “Retirement.” For more information, see Retirement Planning Tools and Information on the MSU Human Resources website.
Models of Successful Retirement
The pathways toward and through retirement are often varied. Understanding the many options available to you can be useful as you consider your own retirement. By individualizing your retirement, you will take into consideration your personal situation and life circumstances, and those of your family and loved ones.
A video recording from a 2018 event sponsored by the WorkLife Office, Academic Advancement Network, Academic Human Resources, and Faculty Grievance and Dispute Resolution Office. Faculty and academic staff learned about MSU policies and heard from their retired or retiring peers about their own personal pathways toward retirement.
A video recording from a 2018 session sponsored by the WorkLife Office, Academic Advancement Network, Academic Human Resources, and Faculty Grievance and Dispute Resolution Office. Faculty and academic staff started planning how they would frame and converse about their eventual retirements. They also learned about resources and policies on retirement.
Retirees often want to maintain some kind of continuing relationship with their institution or their discipline. The following policy outlines some options for maintaining involvement with Michigan State University.
A policy from the Michigan State University Faculty Handbook
Opening the Dialogue about Retirement
Article by the American Historical Association President, Jan Goldstein
Article by Deborah Yaffe, posted on University Business
A video recording from a 2018 event sponsored by the WorkLife Office, Academic Advancement Network, Academic Human Resources, and Faculty Grievance and Conflict Resolution Office. Academic administrators learned about MSU retirement policies, legal considerations, and best practices when initiating conversations about retirement within departments.
Financial Considerations
Financial preparation for retirement is a long-term process. Academics must make financial decisions and monitor their retirement financial standing throughout their careers. As retirement approaches, there are certain decisions that will need to be made :about reallocation and withdrawing funds.
MSU Retirement Plans (ongoing enrollment available):
403(b) for regular MSU employees working at least half-time or more for at least nine continuous months.
Voluntary, tax-deferred 403(b)
457(b) for regular MSU employees working at least half-time or more for at least nine continuous months.
One-on-One Consultations, Classes, and Workshops for MSU Employees:
Call 800-343-0860 or visit the Human Resource Retirement Vendors webpage for appointment information
See MSU-specific microsite or call 517-203-3610
Approaches to Retirement from Faculty at other Research-1 Institutions
San Jose State University
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Davis
University of Southern California’s Emeriti Center
MSU Retirement Policy
As you consider or transition into retirement, it’s important to be well acquainted with MSU’s retirement policies.
For Faculty and Academic Staff
For Faculty, Academic Staff and Executive Managers
Additional Resources
As you consider or transition into retirement, it’s important to be well acquainted with MSU’s retirement policies.
