Retirement

Pension and benefits information for retirees is well documented in the University’s Pension & Benefits Booklet (available on the HR Benefits web page). But there’s a lot else about retiring that isn’t captured in Human Resources’ documentation. We’ve tried to cover as much as we can here.

What you need to know

  • You might be able to reduce your workload by up to 50% in the lead-up to retirement, provided you set a firm date. 

  • You can exchange one week of vacation for an increase in salary (a 2% increase if you give three years’ notice; proportionately less with less notice). In addition to the extra cash now, this generally produces an increase in your annual pension payments. (Get the "vacation exchange program form" on the HR website.)

  • You get your full professional expense amount (FPER) for the fiscal year in which you retire, even if you are only working for part of it. Remember: You can use this for expenses carried forward from previous years.

  • All faculty are automatically granted the title of professor emeritus/emerita (PDF) if you’ve worked here for 15 years, regardless of rank. It doesn't come with any duties or obligations on your part, or the University's. Any services and privileges, beyond those extended to all retired faculty members, are at the discretion of your chair and dean. People with fewer than 15 years of service can be nominated for the title. The President considers nominations and then makes a recommendation to Senate.

FAUW's advice

On timing

  • Many people find that setting a firm date well in advance helps them plan and adjust. It is also common to want the flexibility of being able to retire when the time feels right. Do what works for you. (Note that a firm date is required for the reduced workload and vacation exchange programs, though you can retire earlier than that date.)

  • UW pension payments are made on the first day of the month, so set your retirement day accordingly. For example, if your retirement date is July 1, you get your first pension payment that day. If your retirement day is July 2, your first pension payment comes a full month later, on August 1.

  • Inform granting agencies well in advance of a switch to emeritus/emerita status, so your accounts don’t get frozen.

On pension options

  • If you have a spouse (including common-law), consider the pension option called “Joint & 60% Last Survivor reducing on member or spouse's death.” This option provides for your spouse without lowering the monthly pension payment as much as other pension choices do. (See the myPENSIONinfo site for more information.)

Reduced workload to retirement

Here's how the reduced workload policy (Policy 59) works:

  • You can reduce your workload by up to 50%, with your salary reduced proportionately.

  • You have to set your retirement date when this starts, but you can always retire earlier than that date.

  • You can set a retirement date up to 17 years in the future, no later than your 71st birthday.

  • You need to be at least 45 years old with 10 years of uninterrupted regular full-time service.
  • Your sabbatical credit accrues proportionately, but your pension and pension contributions remain based on your full-time salary.

Where to find information

myPENSIONinfo

  • Project your pension at various dates, with or without salary increases and changes in work hours.
  • See your pension accrual as of the end of the previous year.
  • Review your personal, spouse and beneficiary information.
PLANT A TREE

In lieu of a retirement gift from your department, you could consider beautifying the UW campus through a gift of a tree, landscape rock, or bench. Waterloo Advancement can supply a list of types of trees that are native to Ontario and are suitable for our climate. You may wish to give your department a couple of months’ notice, as trees take time to order and plant.

Who to talk to

Questions to ask

  • Ask your chair if you will be owing or owed any teaching credits at the time of your planned retirement date.

  • If you have continuing research grants, talk to your chair about what privileges you might be able to maintain post-retirement.

What you get to keep

To maintain your library access, parking pass, and athletics membership, update your information with each service before you retire. Provided that you tell Parking Services in advance, you’ll stay in the same lot and your fee drops considerably.

You keep your email address, as long as you're receiving a pension.

You also keep your medical benefits.

What you don’t get to keep

You do not retain your dental benefits (so get your dental work done first!), but you do qualify for the Retired Teachers of Ontario dental plan.

You don't get to keep using Microsoft 365 applications, including your OneDrive.

You have to return equipment, including computers, provided by the University.

What you might get to keep

If you continue to hold research grants, you might be able to continue accessing your office and lab space, as well as your computer, software licenses, and other equipment.

Items paid for by the professional expense allotment might be requested back, although this is unlikely for journals, books, and depreciated computer equipment.