Senior Faculty Retirement Resources Overview
A Letter from Dr. Cynthia Rand
Welcome to the Office of Faculty Senior Faculty Retirement Resources website. This site brings 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. On this site, you will find tools and resources to support a smooth transition.
Faculty nearing retirement should contact JHU Benefits & Worklife ([email protected]/ 410-516-2000) for details on post-retirement health and dental insurance, 403 (b) distributions, and required paperwork.
Faculty are encouraged to remain engaged in scholarship after retirement. The Academy at Johns Hopkins, East Baltimore Campus offers support for continuing academic activities, maintaining connections with colleagues, and pursuing new interests outside the university.
Retirement Readiness Timeline
Faculty members should work closely with their director, administrator, and HR staff in the years leading up to retirement to address key tasks, such as closing accounts, decommissioning labs, and planning post-retirement activities.
Because each retirement is unique, early planning with the departmental team is essential. The Retirement Readiness Timeline below outlines the key steps for a smooth transition.
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- Review University retirement eligibility: Retirement Eligibility - JHU Human Resources
- Discuss intention to retire with your department director, and division director if applicable.
- If eligible, explore options for phased retirement pathways.
- Consider and discuss post-retirement scholarly activities with your Department Director.
- Contact the JHU Benefits & Worklife Office ([email protected]/ 410-516-2000) and explore JHU Human Resources websites:
- Create or update personal legal documents, such as: medical directives, financial power-of-attorney, and will.
- Watch “Retirement Nuts and Bolts” informational sessions hosted by The Academy at Johns Hopkins: 2023-2024 Retirement Nuts and Bolts
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- Provide a letter to your department director outlining: intention to retire, retirement date, and request to relinquish faculty appointment and clinical appointment (if applicable).
- Meet with your department administrator to transition: grants, accounts, lab facilities, staff, program space, equipment, etc.
- 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.
- Attend Pre-Retirement Programs offered by JHU Benefits & Worklife.
- Review Medical and Dental plan offerings for retirement. Explore whether you will elect a JHU retiree plan as your Medicare supplement, or shop for another supplemental plan.
- Talk with your department director about your desire to be nominated for Emeritus status.
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- If 65 and older, enroll in Medicare Part B. Details can be found at www.medicare.gov
- Make an appointment with the Benefits & Worklife Office to clarify your post-retirement benefits ([email protected] / 410-516-2000).
- Review and confirm medical and dental carriers.
- Discuss with your financial advisor your streams of income.
- Apply for membership in The Academy at Johns Hopkins: The Academy at Johns Hopkins East Baltimore Campus
Additional Resources for Retirement
Items to Consider when Retiring
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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 [email protected].
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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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Faculty retirees retain their JHU email and JHED access in retirement without any additional steps.
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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 Academy Manager Jennifer Van Beek at [email protected]. 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 with a primary appointment in the SOM who are employed by JHU
- 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 faculty ranks with a primary appointment in the SOM who are employed by JHU 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.