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Planning for Retirement

If you’re five or fewer years from retirement, you’ll no doubt have questions about how to make a smooth transition from full-time employment to post-work life. Be sure to take advantage of our pre-retirement programs, which offer insight into retiree benefits, legal and financial planning, and even social aspects such as planning for where to live and how to spend your time in retirement.

You’ll find details on our programs, and information about retirement eligibility, benefits in retirement, the cost of benefits, and more, below.

Retiring soon? If you’re 60 to 90 days from retirement, be sure to contact the Benefits Service Center to review your benefits in retirement and ensure a smooth transition.

Retirement Eligibility

To qualify as a JHU retiree, you must leave the university in good standing and meet one of these conditions:

  • Be at least age 55 and have completed 10 or more years of continuous full-time service immediately prior to termination, or
  • Have completed 30 or more years of continuous full-time service immediately prior to termination, regardless of age.

Note: A leave of absence from which an employee does not return to full-time service does not count toward satisfying the criteria. Any break in service for reasons other than Position Discontinued or Lack of Funds to Support Position will not be bridged for purposes of retiree eligibility.

To take a distribution from your 403(b) retirement plan account, one of the following events must occur:

  • You terminate employment
  • You retire
  • You become disabled (as defined by Social Security eligibility)

Your beneficiary is entitled to a distribution of your plan benefits (if not yet distributed to you) following your death.

Learn and Plan: Pre-Retirement Programs and more

Our in-person sessions and on-line resources—offered to faculty, staff, and bargaining unit members who are ages 55 and older or five years from retiring—will help you better plan for retirement. Learn about JHU retiree benefits, financial and legal planning, social considerations, Social Security, Medicare, and other aspects of retirement.

Learn More

Faculty Transition Resources

Johns Hopkins offers transition programs and other resources for soon-to-retire senior faculty of specific schools.

Retiree Health Coverage

Having adequate health care coverage is an important consideration when you retire.

The university offers retiree medical and dental coverage for eligible retirees and their eligible dependents—the same coverage available to active employees and their families. The amount that JHU pays (the subsidy) is determined based on your age and years of service.

See the current cost of coverage for retiree medical and dental insurance, listed by employment type:

As an alternative to the JHU retiree medical plans for those 65 or older, you may want to consider Mercer Marketplace 365+ which provides access to the Mercer Retiree Exchange Platform and to one-on-one help from a licensed retiree benefits counselor. Choose from Medicare Supplement Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, prescription drug plans, dental and vision.

Reach a benefits counselor toll-free at 1 855 206 8117 or visit https://hr.jhu.edu/redirect/retiree-exchange.html to learn about Medicare and the different types of plans available.

Meet With an Expert

You can meet one-on-one with a representative from our 403(b) retirement plan providers at regularly scheduled on-campus events. Check the investment vendor schedule for available times and locations.