Retirement Planning and Separation

If you are considering retirement from Bowling Green State University, there are important factors to consider as you prepare. The information and resources below will guide you toward a smooth transition into retirement.

Eligibility to Retire

To be eligible to officially retire from BGSU, you must:

  • Have at least 10 years of public service in the state of Ohio.
  • Meet the specific age and service requirements defined by your elected retirement plan.

Note: If you do not meet these requirements, your separation would be considered a resignation rather than a retirement.

State Plans and Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP)

OPERS and STRS Participants

If you participate in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) or the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS), please contact them directly to discuss your eligibility, establish your retirement date and apply at the appropriate time.

Retiring from OPERS   1-800-222-7377
Retiring from STRS  1-888-227-7877

Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP) participants

Contact your ARP provider to discuss distribution options and required steps. Visit the BGSU Approved Retirement Providers page for contact information.

For additional guidance in developing a personalized plan, you may consult:

  • A financial representative from your plan provider
  • Your personal financial advisor
  • A representative from Captrust at Work

Separation Procedures by Employee Type

Faculty members

Contact the Office of the Provost and your Dean’s office for specific separation procedures.

Administrative and Classified staff

Visit the BGSU Leaving the University webpage for separation procedures and to check eligibility for sick/vacation leave payouts.

Setting up a Sick/Vacation Leave Payout Deferral

Eligible employees can defer all or part of their sick and/or vacation leave payouts into a BGSU 403(b), BGSU 457(b), and/or an Ohio Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan, up to the annual IRS contribution limits.

Important timing information

  • Eligible leave payouts are processed in the pay cycle immediately following your final paycheck for hours worked.
  • All deferral elections must be completed before the required payroll deadline (generally 3 weeks before your final paycheck date).
  • If the deadline is missed, the payout will be issued through payroll as taxable income.
  • Retroactive deferral elections are not permitted.

Before you begin

  1. Determine your preferred plan(s): BGSU 403(b), BGSU 457(b), Ohio Deferred Compensation 457(b), or a combination.
  2. Contact Payroll (419-372-2201 | payroll@bgsu.edu) to request an estimate of your leave payout amount.
  3. Confirm that your planned payout deferral will not exceed annual IRS limits.

Deferral Process Options

Option 1: Deferral Through Retirement@Work portal

Use for BGSU 403(b) or BGSU 457(b) plans.

  1. Log in: Access your Retirement@Work account (or register using the Quick Start Guide.)
  2. Navigate: Click Contributions tab (top left), then Manage Contributions (right side).
  3. Select Account: Choose your 403(b) or 457(b) plan and enter your deferral amount.
  4. Set Effective Date:
    • Monthly paid employees:
      Use the first day of the month following your final paycheck for hours worked.
    • Bi-weekly paid employees:
      Use the start date of the pay period corresponding to the pay date following your final paycheck for hours worked.
  5. Verify Deadlines: Review the portal payroll calendars for cutoff deadlines, pay periods, and effective dates.
  6. New accounts:  Select your vendor by entering 100% next to your chosen provider.
  7. Submit:  Confirm election prior to the system deadline.

Retirement@Work Support: Call Customer Service at 1-844-567-9090
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET) | Sat: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET)

Option 2: Ohio Deferred Compensation 457(b)

  1. Call Ohio Deferred Compensation directly at 1-877-644-6457.
  2. Complete required paperwork and instructions.
  3. Submit all documentation prior to their stated deadline.

Medicare & Social Security

Medicare (Age 65+)

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is generally premium-free at age 65, even if you remain actively employed.

  • Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): A 7-month window spanning 3 months before your 65th birthday month, your birth month, and 3 months after.
  • Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Available if you work past age 65 to avoid Part B late-enrollment penalties upon retirement.
  • Form CMS-L564: If you need an employment/health coverage verification letter completed for Medicare, contact: benefits@bgsu.edu
  • Free Medicare Guidance (OSHIIP):  Speak with an impartial expert at the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program by calling 1-800-686-1578.

Social Security

If you paid into Social Security prior to employment at BGSU, set up and review your account at ssa.gov up to two years prior to retirement.

Social Security Fairness Act: Passed on January 5, 2005, this legislation repealed the former Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), meaning your Social Security benefits will no longer be reduced due to an OPERS, STRS or ARP public pension. Learn more: Social Security Fairness Act.

Additional Resources:

Plan Distributions, Transfers & Rollovers

Retirement savings accounts are designed to help you build long-term financial security for yourself and your family. Learn how to access your retirement savings (ARP, BGSU 403(b), BGSU 457(b), and Ohio Deferred Compensation 457(b)) upon separation.

Current BGSU Approved Providers

Discuss distribution options by contacting your provider(s) directly.

Go to the BGSU Approved Providers page for contact information.

Request a Distribution:

Legacy BGSU Approved Providers

For distribution requests from prior retirement plan providers, follow the steps below.

  1. Contact your provider and request distribution paperwork.
  2. Email benefits@bgsu.edu to request the Retirement Distribution Certification Request form. Complete and return it to receive an official Certification of Distribution letter (provided in place of a manual signature).
  3. Submit the Certification Letter and provider paperwork directly to your provider. Allow 1-2 weeks for provider processing.

Updated: 09/15/2026 03:14PM