Retirement & Pension Benefits

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As part of our comprehensive benefits package, the Johns Hopkins Health System Corporation (JHHSC) and The Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) offer retirement plans that can help you save for the future and provide additional income upon retirement.

Pension Plan

Non-Represented Employees Hired Before January 1, 2016 and All Represented Employees regardless of hire date:

JHHSC/JHH pays the full cost of this retirement benefit.  You become eligible to participate in the pension plan after one year of employment during which you have worked 1,000 hours or more. You become eligible for a pension benefit once you meet the 5-year vesting requirement.  The amount of your pension benefit is calculated using a formula based on your JHHSC/JHH years of service and your final average earnings.

Retirement Savings Plan (403(b) - administered by Transamerica

All Employees:

New employees will be automatically enrolled in the 403(b) program with an initial 2% pre-tax contribution level unless you elect not to participate.  You may also elect to have a different percentage of your salary deposited into an account each pay period on a pre-tax or after-tax (“Roth”) basis.

Non-Represented Employees Hired On or After January 1, 2016:

The pension plan is closed to new employees.  You become eligible to receive employer contributions in the 403(b) plan after one year of employment during which you have worked 1,000 hours or more.  JHHSC/JHH will make an integrated contribution equal to 4% of your earnings plus an extra 1% of your earnings in excess of the Social Security Taxable Wage Base.  In addition, they will make a matching contribution up to 50% of the first 4% you contribute to the 403(b) plan.  To receive these employer contributions, you must be actively employed on December 31 of that year.  You become partially vested in this after two years of service and fully vested after five years.

Retiree Medical/Dental upon retiring from active service

Retiring employees who are at least age 62 with 15 years of service may elect to continue their EHP medical plan under COBRA until they become eligible for Medicare.  This coverage can help bridge the gap in medical insurance for employees and their eligible dependents prior to Medicare eligibility. 

Retiree dental is offered through COBRA for 18 months.  It is also offered through MetLife, who has two dental plans for retirees and dependents.  Both plans include access to a comprehensive network of dentists across the country.

Gearing up for retirement? Our “Countdown to Retirement” checklist will guide you through the steps you need to take in the 12 months prior to retirement. See the list

Learn more

Questions About Retirement Benefits?

Call or stop by!
M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or by appointment

Pension and general questions:
443-997-3789 / Eastern B200

403(b) / Transamerica:
410-955-5828 / Osler 7

403(b) / Transamerica (Bayview):
410-550-1833 / Alpha Commons, Suite 150