Retirement
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
If you received a communication from the benefits team about transitioning from Optum to MetLife, please review one of the recorded HRtalks sessions on the HRtalks webpage. If you did not receive this communication and believe you should have, please contacts benefits at benefits@louisville.edu.
If you are participating in a Retirement Savings Plan, you may have received a communication from TIAA and/or Fidelity on behalf of the Retirement Oversight Committee (ROC) regarding a new fee leveling structure. If you have any questions about the new structure or would like additional information, please review the FAQs, and contact Fidelity at 1-800-343-0860 or TIAA at 1-800-842-2252, weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to midnight ET.
Pre-Retirement (Current Employees)
It is never too early to start planning for your future and your retirement. The University of Louisville retirement savings plans are available to offer you the opportunity to save for a source of income in your retirement, in addition to Social Security and other savings you may have.
403(b) Planning Option
The University of Louisville is here to help you plan for your future. The UofL 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan (described under section 403(b) on the Internal Revenue Code (IRC)), that enables faculty and staff to save money for retirement.
457(b) Planning Option
The university offers a 457(b) Retirement Plan as an additional tax-deferred retirement plan option for eligible employees. To enroll in this plan and make tax-deferred contributions, follow the 457(b) enrollment instructions below. If you have questions about this plan, please email benefits@louisville.edu or call 502-852-6258.
View more information on our retirement saving plan options along with resources to provide guidance on what works best for you or attend retirement workshops and webinars hosted by our financial partners Fidelity and TIAA!
Retirement Eligibility
The University of Louisville does not have a mandatory retirement age for faculty, staff, or administrators.
For eligibility and steps to planning for retirement, visit our Retirement Eligibility and Steps webpage. You may also want to review Health Advocate's resource guide.
Retiree Life Insurance
We are pleased to offer University of Louisville retirees additional options for life insurance coverage. At retirement, you will have a one-time option to purchase Retiree Term Life insurance in increments of $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000 and $25,000. The cost of additional coverage above $5,000 will be based on your age and the level of coverage you choose. See the 2024 Retirement Guide for rates.
If you have questions about or need additional information concerning your premium payments, you may contact Optum at 1-855-687-2021.
Post Retirement (Retired Employees)
Even though our valued retirees may no longer work for the university, we still work closely to provide the best post-retirement experience for them. We strive to take care of our employees on campus, as well as when they part and become our extended family.
Direct Bill for retiree dental, vision, and life insurance policies will be through MetLife’s direct bill partner.
For questions on enrolling and setting up your direct bill, please call MetLife at 1-630-692-4242.
Pre 65 Retirees
Retirees under the age of 65 who want to continue coverage under the university's benefit plan as they retire from the university are able to do so. Pre-65 retirees can continue to participate in their university benefit plan until they reach the age of 65. Retirees under 65 are also eligible to participate in the Get Healthy Now program and receive discounted medical plan rates. Please visit our Retiree Medical Plan Rates webpage to view plan option and rates.
Note: After your last paycheck from the university, you will receive an email from Selerix. The email will have instructions on how to enroll in your retiree benefits and set up your ACH. MetLife’s direct bill partner will draft via ACH payments for any retiree dental, vision, or life insurance policies you enroll in. Delta Dental is also available for those retirees who wish to not continue their dental and or vision plans with MetLife. A separate billing statement will be issued by Delta Dental of Kentucky for retirees who enroll in dental and vision. If you are enrolled in a university medical plan, you will continue to make payment to Optum for your medical plan.
You will be responsible to pay these premiums to MetLife going forward to maintain your benefits coverage. Failure to pay these premiums will result in loss of coverage and you will lose the ability to re-enroll during future open enrollment periods.
If you have questions about your retirement health benefits, contact benefits@louisville.edu.
If you have questions about your Get Healthy Now incentive, contact ghn@louisville.edu.
Post 65 Retirees
Retirees and spouses/QA over age 65 are Medicare eligible and must transition from the university health plan to Medicare. This transition will happen at the time of retirement if you are already age 65 or as you approach your 65th birthday. To help cover some of the costs not covered by Medicare Part B, the university provides retirees access to an AARP Medicare Part B Supplement plan. While you are responsible for paying a monthly premium for this supplement plan, the university will provide a contribution to lower the overall cost of this plan to retirees ($108.10/month for individual or $216.20/month if you have an eligible spouse/QA).
Note: If you were under the age of 65 at the time of retirement, you must contact the UofL Benefits office three months prior to your 65th birthday to begin your transition from the university health plan to Medicare and the AARP Medicare Part B Supplement Plan.
Want to understand more about the transition to Medicare? Contact Health Advocate at 866-799-2731 and they can assist you in your transition! You can also review Medicare resources below:
Social Security
For specific questions about Social Security, please contact the Louisville Social Security Administration Office at 1-866-716-9671. Additional contact information and directions on how to apply for social security benefit online may be found at www.ssa.gov. You may also visit the local Social Security Administration Office at the following addresses
1. Social Security Administration Office
601 W. Broadway Room 101
Louisville, KY 40202
2. Social Security Administration Office
10503 Timberwood Circle Suite 50
Louisville, Ky 40223