VCSU RETIREMENT
INFORMATION
This packet is intended to provide important information for the retirement process.
Human Resources
Jennifer.larson@vcsu.edu
Updated 12/26/2014
Office of Employee Services
Contents
Retiring Employee Checklist ........................................................................................................................ 2
Links to Plan Documents.............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Supplemental Retirement Information ........................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Benefit Information and Rates .................................................................................................................... 3
Important Contacts ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Office of Employee Services
Retiring Employee Checklist
NDPERS Retirement Process
2 months prior to retirement date:
 Request an official benefit estimate
a. http://www.nd.gov/ndpers/
b. Click on Member Self Service>Access PERSLink Member Self Service (MSS)
c. Log-in to your NDPERS account
d. Click on Benefit Estimates>Perform, Request or View Benefit
Estimates>Request an official estimate from NDPERS
e. NDPERS phone# 1-800-803-7377
 Contact the HR Director for an NDPERS retirement kit
Have the following materials ready:
 Copy of a birth certificate for you and your spouse
 Copy of marriage certificate
 Copy of Medicare card(s) if you and/or your spouse have one
TIAA-CREF Retirement Process
 Approximately 2 months prior to retirement date contact TIAA-CREF for retirement
options.
 Return a copy of Medicare card(s) if you and/or your spouse have them with your
retirement paperwork.
 Enroll in a TIAA-CREF individual counseling session if desired at this link.
 Contact HR Director for an NDPERS retirement kit
VCSU Process
 Review Retirement Policies
o V703.01 VCSU Early Retirement
o V703.10 Retirement Policies
o NDUS Policy 10 Retirement
o SBHE 703.1 Early Retirement
o SBHE 703.2 Benefits
o SBHE 703.3 Compensation
 Notify Human Resources and Supervisor of your retirement date.
 Read and review the retirement e-mail with Human Resources for forms and
information.
 Meet with HR Director to answer retirement questions.
 Submit retirement paperwork to appropriate agencies as provided by Human
Resources.
 Complete exit process upon retirement date.
Office of Employee Services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the retirement program I participate in?
Contributions and eligibility for retirement programs depends on the broadband
classification of the employee. Executive bands and faculty are eligible for TIAA-CREF plans
and professional, technical, and service employees are eligible to participate in NDPERS.
There are also supplemental retirement accounts available.
What does it mean to be vested and when am I vested?
“Vesting” means you are able to receive a monthly benefit from the retirement system you
participate in. For NDPERS accounts, vesting occurs after 3 years of service. TIAA-CREF
accounts are vested immediately upon employment.
When do I become eligible to retire through NDPERS ?
If your age is 55 or older and you have 3 years of service credit, if you meet the rule of 85 ((Years of
service and age add up to 85 or more), or if you are age 65 and actively employed with a NDPERS
participating agency.
Benefit Information and Rates
NDPERS offers a Retired Employee Health Credit. The credit is different for each plan and
can be found at the NDPERS site.
Below are monthly coverage rates for continuing health insurance for retirees through June
30, 2015. Medicare rates are subject to increases at the end of the calendar year. If you
have more than two people on your health insurance policy, please contact NDPERs for your
rate. If member/dependent(s) did not enroll in the plan the time he/she was eligible,
coverage will cease on the first day of the month in which the member/ dependent(s)
became eligible. Retirees will receive a new Blue Cross and Medicare Blue RX card.
Single
Family
Single
Family
Family (3 or more)
COBRA Coverage Rates
$482.18
$1,162.12
Non-Medicare Retiree Rates
$709.10
$1,418.20
$1,772.74
Medicare Retiree (Must have Parts A and B)
Single
$221.04
Family (2 on plan, both on Medicare)
$439.32
Family (1 on Medicare, 1 not)
$611.32
Office of Employee Services
Medicare and Insurance Information
If you wish register for Medicare and have not yet, please contact the Social Security
Administration. If you have registered for Medicare but have not received your Medicare
Blue card, request a letter of entitlement from the Social Security Administration. This will
speed up your process. Once you receive your Medicare card, submit it to your retirement
agency. You may need to fill out other insurance information regarding continuing coverage.
Important Contacts
NDPERS
Website: http://www.nd.gov/ndpers/retirees/index.html
Phone: 1-800-803-7377
Fax: (701) 328-3920
E-mail: ndpers-info@nd.gov
Mail: NDPERS
400 E Broadway Ave Suite 505
PO Box 1657
Bismarck ND 58502
TIAA-CREF
Website: http://www1.tiaa-cref.org/tcm/vcsu
Counseling Session: https://publictools.tiaacref.org/public/publictools/events/eventswelcome
Phone: 1-800-842-2776
Fax: 800 914-8922
Mail: TIAA-CREF
P.O. Box 1259
Charlotte, NC 28201
HR Director Jennifer Larson
Jennifer.larson@vcsu.edu
(701)845-7401
Benefits website: http://www.vcsu.edu/employeeservices/vp.htm?p=1920
Payroll and Grants Specialist Lacey Undem
Lacey.undem@vcsu.edu
(701)845-7252
Social Security Administration
http://www.ssa.gov/pgm/retirement.htm
Phone: 1-877-335-4114
Address: RM 320 FED BLDG
657 N 2ND AVE
FARGO, ND 58102