How to Retire

• Visit the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) website for many helpful resources, such as a retirement preparation checklist.
• Sign up for retirement counseling through SURS.
• Learn about applying for Medicare. Central Management Services provides information on Medicare benefits and requirements.

• To apply for retirement, complete the SURS retirement application. The application and applicable forms can be found on the SURS Member website.
• File your application with SURS at least 60 to 90 days in advance of your retirement date. Be sure to include the State Insurance Participation Election Form with your application.
• If you have reciprocal service (TRS, SERS, IMRF, etc.), contact the applicable system for a retirement application.

• Provide notice of your retirement as soon as possible to avoid delays or overpayment. Notice is typically given at least 30 days before the last day of work.
  • Faculty and SPS employees should give a retirement letter to their department chair or supervisor. The letter should specify the last day of employment and the planned retirement date with SURS.
  • Civil service employees need to complete an Employment Separation Form online.

Please note: If your last day of work is on a date other than the last day of the month, contact HumanResources@niu.edu to discuss the impact this may have on your insurance coverage.

If you wish to make changes to your tax withholding, complete a new W-4 form and submit it to the payroll office eight days before your last day of work. If the change is only for the benefit payout, write "Payout Only" on the top of the form.

• If you wish to defer a portion of your sick/vacation payout to your 403(b) plan, submit a Supplemental Retirement Plan Salary Contribution Agreement Form to HRS 14 days before your last day of work.
• If you wish to defer a portion of your sick/vacation payout to your 457(b) plan, submit a State Employees' Deferred Compensation Plan Lump Sum Deferral Form (PDF) to HRS in the month before deferral.
• If you wish to defer a portion of your sick/vacation payout to your SURS 457(b) plan, contact HumanResources@niu.edu for further guidance.

Before your last day of work review the departure checklist, then complete the exit checklist (XLS) with your chair, director or supervisor.

• Faculty, SPS and exempt civil service employees need to submit their final benefit usage report to the payroll office on or before their last day of work, in order to avoid delays in their final benefit payout.
• Salaried nonexempt and hourly civil service employees need to submit their final time sheets to their department office on their last day of work, in order to avoid delays in their final benefit payout.
• Please ensure that both you and your supervisor sign the form before it is sent to Human Resource Services.

Please note: If you're a faculty member on a nine-month contract who is paid over nine months (i.e., your pay is not spread over 12 months), contact HumanResources@niu.edu to discuss options for receiving your final regular paycheck.

• Keep your address up-to-date so that tax documents and other important correspondence can be delivered. Update your address online through HR PeopleSoft self-service before you separate from employment.
• Join the NIU Annuitants Association for access to information and benefits, including fun activities, a retiree email account and more.
• Visit the OneCard Office to get a retiree ID card.
• Obtain a retiree parking pass from Parking Services.