A Letter from Dr. Cynthia Rand
Welcome to the new Office of Faculty Senior Faculty Retirement Resources website. This site is designed to bring together information and resources to support faculty in planning for retirement, navigating the retirement process and engaging with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine community post-retirement.
Cynthia Rand, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Faculty
Planning for Retirement
While many faculty continue to lead active and productive careers well into the later years of their tenure, there may be a time when transitioning to retirement is an important consideration. In this section, you will find tools and resources to support a smooth transition.
It is important to note that faculty are encouraged to seek opportunities to stay engaged in scholarly activities after retirement. The new Emeritus College will provide resources for faculty who chose to either continue scholarly activities or transition to a lifestyle outside of the university.
Faculty nearing retirement are also encouraged to contact the JHU Benefits Service Center (benefits@jhu.edu / 410-516-2000) to discuss detailed information affecting retirement such as postretirement health and dental insurance options, retirement distribution details from your 403B and paperwork required for retirement.
Additional Guidance on Retirement
Resource documents that help with the retirement planning process:
- Retiree Handbook
- What Happens When…Retirement (from JHU Benefits Service Center)
Process of Retirement
Many faculty have spent a significant portion of their careers engaged in clinical, research and teaching activities and should work closely with administrative and HR staff on important transitional items such as closing accounts and awards, decommissioning labs and identifying postretirement scholarly activities.
Although each faculty member’s retirement situation is unique, all faculty are advised to begin the retirement process early and work closely with his or her departmental administrative team to ensure a successful retirement transition. The Pathway to Retirement workflow below identifies key steps necessary for faculty when they embark on retirement.
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- If eligible, discuss options for phased or early retirement pathways with your department administrator.
- If eligible and you elect to participate, review and complete phased or early retirement agreements.
- Discuss options and strategies for reduced clinical/teaching/research activities.
- Discuss wind down of any current funded research.
- Discuss postretirement activities, particularly those that may require clinical credentialing/malpractice.
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- Begin reviewing SOM Retirement Considerations Form.
- Contact a benefits retirement consultant for informational sessions by emailing Benefits@JHU.edu or calling 410-516-2000.
- Provide details of retirement to department administration and/or credentialing office so that paperwork can be prepared for all relevant institutions; e.g., JHH, JHBMC, JHCP.
- Complete a letter of resignation and/or resignation notification form to provide the details of retirement.
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- If interested in participating in The Academy at Johns Hopkins Medicine, email SOMemeritus@jhmi.edu.
Items to Consider when Retiring
Helpful checklists for both faculty and department administrators including key items to address during the retirement process:
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Current office space will need to be free of personal belongings and files if leaving the physical space. If you plan to enroll in The Academy at Johns Hopkins Medicine, you will have access to the business center and hoteling office space. Submit your membership application to SOMemeritus@jhmi.edu.
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Housekeeping should be contacted for offices needing to be cleaned in the school of medicine buildings (410-955-3324). For office furniture move requests and / or returning keys, Facilities should be contacted (410-955-3323).
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As part of the retirement process, you will need to communicate in writing your request to relinquish your faculty appointment and clinical appointment if applicable. Please see provided Sample Resignation Letter.
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If you are a clinical provider, here you will find details on transitioning EPIC InBasket.
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Department administration should be contacted at least 6 months prior to retirement to discuss strategy for closing out nonsponsored discretionary accounts and closing / transitioning of grants and contracts. More information can be found in the Closing Accounts and Awards document.
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Department administration should be contacted at least 6 months prior to retirement to identify the appropriate steps to close/transition a laboratory and transition/discard equipment. More information can be found in the Transitioning Lab and Equipment document.
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The Badge and Parking office is located in Harvey / Nelson 108. Access to buildings will discontinue on the first day of retirement; therefore, arrangements should be made with department administration to communicate the need for badge access after retirement (if applicable) and assist with reactivation. In addition, faculty should consult the parking office website for information on parking access after retirement. To cancel your parking permit, see the Parking Access Cancellation Form.
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Often, faculty request access to their JHU email after retirement. Please communicate with department administration if email access is desired after retirement. It is advised that departments support email access for JHU SOM retirees for at least 5 years if requested. At which time, retired faculty can make a request to continue email access (at the discretion of the department).
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The following document contains contact information that may be useful as faculty initiate retirement.
Senior Faculty Transition Programs
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Senior Faculty Transition Program (SFTP) offers distinct and transparent pathways to retirement for full-time faculty. The SFTP allows eligible faculty members to reduce their full-time-equivalent percentage over one to three years until a set retirement date while retaining full-time health and welfare benefits. The retirement options and the development of this website were a result of 2016 recommendations made by the Dean’s Task Force on Senior Faculty Support and Transitions. The SFTP was created in direct response to faculty members who have expressed interest in retirement. It has been developed in a spirit of gratitude and appreciation for faculty scholarship, teaching accomplishment, and commitment to the school, as faculty move forward with a new phase of their careers.
The SFTP is available to School of Medicine faculty meeting the eligibility criteria that are outlined in the table below. For more information on the SFTP, please refer to the Senior Faculty Retirements Options Outline and the SFTP Frequently Asked Questions document. To confirm your eligibility and begin the enrollment process, please contact Program Coordinator, Jennifer Van Beek at SOMRetirement@jhmi.edu. Part of the enrollment process is the completion of a letter detailing the transition plan which is signed by the faculty member and their Department Director. Template letters: PRI Department Director Template Letter and ARPR Department Director Template Letter.
Senior Faculty Transition Program: Two Program Options
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Benefits
Retain full-time employee Medical and University Benefits during transition period of 1 – 3 years, during which your full-time-equivalent (FTE) percentage can reduce to as low as 30% FTE. University contribution to the 403b retirement plan will be proportional to base salary in effect at the time of the contribution.
Eligibility
- Full Professors in SOM who are employed and paid completely by SOM
- 10 + years of full-time continuous service
- In good standing
- Employed at 75% full-time equivalent
- Elect anytime between 65-70.5 years of age
Duration
1 to 3 years
Full-Time Equivalent Percentage
Sample full-time equivalent percentage for 3 year phased retirement*
Year 1 – 75% FTE
Year 2 – 50% FTE
Year 3 – 30% FTE*During PRI period, FTE percentage can be no less than 30%. The above schedule is for example purposes only. FTE must be mutually agreed upon in a binding agreement between faculty and Department Director.
Incentive Payment
PRI participants will receive a one-time payment of $100,000, less applicable tax withholdings, when they resign and retire from Johns Hopkins upon successful completion of the PRI agreement.
The University expressly reserves discretion and the right to cancel or make changes to any of the Senior Faculty Transition Program options at any time.
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Benefits
Retain full-time employee Medical and University Benefits during transition period of 1 – 3 years, during which your full-time-equivalent (FTE) percentage can reduce to as low as 30% FTE. University contribution to the 403b retirement plan will be proportional to base salary in effect at the time of the contribution.
Eligibility
- All ranks of faculty in SOM who are employed and paid completely by SOM
- 10+ years of full-time continuous service
- In good standing
- Employed at least 75% full-time equivalent
- Elect anytime at age 65 or older
Duration
1 to 3 years
Full-Time Equivalent Percentage
Sample full-time equivalent percentage for 3 year phased retirement*
Year 1 – 60% FTE
Year 2 – 50% FTE
Year 3 – 30% FTE*During ARPR period, FTE percentage can be no less than 30%. The above schedule is for example purposes only. FTE must be mutually agreed upon between faculty and Department Director.
Incentive Payment
This program option does not have an incentive payment.
The University expressly reserves discretion and the right to cancel or make changes to any of the Senior Faculty Transition Program options at any time.
Additional Resources
News and Events
Review our upcoming events calendar, sign up for our e-newsletter, connect with SOM Office of Faculty and browse social media.
Upcoming Events
SFTP Info Sessions all held in The Academy at Johns Hopkins located inside the East Reading Room of Welch Library. Visit their website for a list of upcoming events.
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