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Retirement Process

Thank you for your service to SUNY Canton!

• Pre-Retirement Checklist
• Countdown to Retirement

As a SUNY Canton Retiree you are entitled to certain benefits. Please follow the bullets below to make sure your exit from SUNY Canton is as smooth as possible.

1. Prepare a letter of intent to retire and address to the President with a copy sent to your VP, Dean/Supervisor, and Human Resources.
2. Meet with your Benefits Manager in Human Resources to review exit paperwork in regards to your benefits.
   • While meeting with the Benefits Manager, you will complete these forms:
     • Health Insurance Transaction Form
     • Sick Leave Credit Election Form
     • Survivor’s Benefit Program Form
     • Emeritus Application (for faculty and Professional only)
3. Any unused sick time will be used as credit for your health insurance during retirement. After you meet with your Benefits Manger they will send you a letter that gives the end date for paying into health insurance and figure your remaining credit for retirement insurance.
4. Employees will not have dental and vision coverage once retired. You will receive your end date of coverage in the letter from the Benefits Manager.
5. At age 65 information about Medicare will be mailed to your home. You must sign up for part A and B. The cost will be reimbursed to you through your retirement check if you had ERS or TRS. If you had Optimal Retirement they will reimburse quarterly. If you have questions about Medicare eligibility, enrollment, or cost contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or check the website at www.ssa.gov
6. When an employee retires from SUNY Canton they retain their email.
7. Before final check is released all financial obligations must be met, some examples include parking tickets, travel reimbursements, library books. In addition, all keys must be turned in to the Physical Plant prior to leaving campus.

Other Resources you may find helpful…

DIRECTIONS Pre-Retirement Planning Seminar - day-long seminars focusing on lifestyle changes, health & wellness, housing options, post-retirement employment, budgeting and financial planning, legal affairs, health insurance, Social Security, Medicare, the NYS Deferred Compensation Program (NYSDCP), and pension from ERS (if you are a TRS member, you may wish to attend a PREP seminar; ORP members should contact their investment provider(s) for financial planning). Registration is available to new attendees only who are at least 55 years old and within 5 years of retirement - visit the website for a schedule of seminars at various locations and contact your campus benefits administrator if interested in attending.

Video Guide: Planning Your Successful Retirement - a series of retirement planning videos that focus on the NYS Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), Social Security, the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan (NYSDCP), and the NYS Employees' Retirement System (ERS)

Self-Help Guide to Retirement Planning - a comprehensive retirement planning companion booklet to the DIRECTIONS Pre-Retirement Planning Seminar