Retirement Counseling

The Retirement Process in 10 Steps (PDF)

Retirement 101 Presentation (video)

Retirement Roadmap (Webpage)

Learn about the UC Retirement Plan (UCRP).

• Review the Retirement Handbook
• Attend a UC Retirement System webinar or watch one of the webinar recordings.
  • Preparing for Retirement
    • Recorded presentation is available in Spanish. Disponible en español: Grabación de Preparándose para la jubilación.
  • Retiree Health Benefits
  • The UC Retirement Process from Start to Finish

• Register for a Retirement Counseling workshop hosted by HR Benefits via the UC Learning Center

Register on UC Retirement At Your Service (UCRAYS) to view your retirement information.

• Review the 'Getting Help with UCRAYS' article if you are unable to access your account
• Peruse through the site to see your retirement tier, service credit, and beneficiaries

Create a retirement estimate in UCRAYS to view your estimated retirement benefits.

• Try different retirement dates and contingent annuitants to see the different options

Get counseling to discuss your retirement options and retiree health benefits.

• Attend Benefits Office Hours to connect with the HR Benefits team, or
• Schedule an appointment with a Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC) retirement counselor to explore your retirement options and learn more about the retirement process.

Meet with a Retirement Planner to discuss your overall retirement plan, such as income sources through the voluntary UC Retirement Savings Program, Social Security, and external retirement accounts

• Schedule a personalized meeting with a Fidelity Investments representative
• Call Fidelity Investments at (866) 682-7787
• Attend a UC Financial Education Class via myucretirement.com. 

• Review the What To Do if You’re Preparing for Retirement roadmap on UCnet for the step-by-step retirement process.
• Watch the UC Retirement Process video.

To process your retirement online, login to your UCRAYS account and follow the instructions below to get started.

• Click on the “Retirement” button on your dashboard
• Click on “Initiate & Elect UCRP Retirement”
• Click on “Create a New PRP” and follow the prompts

To complete your retirement through the paper process, follow the steps below. Please note that this will take longer than the online process.

To get started, complete the Request for Retirement Initiation Packet form, and submit it to the RASC one of these ways:

• Upload via UCRAYS secure message (quickest response time)
• Fax to (800) 792-5178
• Mail to RASC, P.O. Box 24570, Oakland, CA 94623-1570

A retirement packet will be mailed to your home address and it will include your Personal Retirement Profile (PRP) and the Election Worksheet for you to complete.

• Call the RASC if you see discrepancies in your PRP or for assistance completing the Election Worksheet

Complete the Election Worksheet and send it to the RASC one of these ways:

• Upload the form using the “Upload Documents” feature on your UCRAYS account (quickest method)
• Fax to (800) 792-5178
• Mail to RASC, P.O. Box 24570, Oakland, CA 94623-1570

The RASC will send you the Monthly Retirement Election Form or the Lump Sum Cashout Election Form for review and signature(s). Return the signed form along with the supporting documents to the RASC one of these ways:  

• Upload the signed form and document(s) using the “Upload Documents” feature on your UCRAYS account (quickest method)
• Fax to (800) 792-5178
• Mail to RASC, P.O. Box 24570, Oakland, CA 94623-1570

When your retirement is finalized, the RASC will send you the Confirmation Statement.

• Report discrepancies to the RASC within 15 days from the date of your Confirmation Letter
• If no discrepancies, your retirement will be irrevocable after your retirement date or 15 days from the date of your Confirmation Letter, whichever is later
• Retain for your records

You have limited time to enroll for benefit continuation after your retirement. Refer to the 'What to do if you’re leaving UC employment' roadmap on UCnet for the benefit continuation options and deadlines.

• If you are eligible for retiree health:
  • Review the Retiree Health and welfare benefits information on UCnet
  • Attend the "Health Insurance After You Retire" presentation offered by the Health Care Facilitator team.
  • Estimate your Retiree Health Care costs using the estimator tool on Blink
  • Connect with a Health Care Facilitator to review your Retiree Health eligibility. 

• If not eligible for retiree health, you may continue your medical, dental, and vision through COBRA.

• You may convert the following plans to an individual plan:
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) (Prudential)
  • Health Flexible Spending Account (COBRA option)
  • Legal Plan (ARAG) - Legal Insurance from ARAG Highlights PDF
  • Basic Life, Supplemental Life and Dependent Life (Prudential)
  • Supplemental Health Plans - Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity (Prudential)
  • Vision Plan (VSP) - >VSP Plan Summary for Retirees (PDF)
  • Pet Insurance (Nationwide)

If you’re eligible for Medicare and you’re retiring, enrolling in Medicare will be part of the process. Visit the UCnet Enrolling in Medicare to learn more about the process or connect with the Health Care Facilitator team for assistance.  

• Resources
  • Medicare.gov
  • Medicare Fact Sheet
  • Understanding Medicare
  • Frequently asked questions about Medicare

Stay active in the UC San Diego community and receive a variety of discounts and benefits by getting involved with the Emeriti Association and the Retirement Association. 

• Emeriti Association
  • How to Join the UCSD Emeriti Association

• UCSD Retirement Association
  • How to Join the UCSD Retirement Association