Life & Work Events

University Appointment Ends

Before you leave the University:

  • Log in to Workday@UChicago using your CNetID and password to update your new mailing address
  • Contact  the University of Chicago Credit Union with your new mailing address if you are a member.
  • Return your University key(s), pagers, campus card, and any other University property to your departmental administrator on your last day on the job.
Medical, Dental and/or Vision

Your University-provided medical, dental and vision coverage will end on the last day of the month in which your appointment ends.

Exception: If your first date of employment with the University was prior to July 1, 1987, you will receive one extra month of medical coverage. Your University-provided medical coverage stops on the last day of the month following the month that your appointment ends.

COBRA continuation of coverage:

  • You may choose to continue your medical, dental and/or vision coverage through COBRA for 18 months.
  • You have 60 days to elect COBRA coverage from the date you receive the COBRA continuation materials in the mail.
  • If you choose to continue your coverage through COBRA, complete the materials and return them to WageWorks. 
  • For more information visit COBRA Continuation of Coverage.
Long-Term Disability, Group Life Insurance and/or Personal Accident Insurance
  • You may choose to convert your coverage into an individual policy. If you are under age 60, you may also be able to continue your life insurance coverage under the less expensive portability option.
  • Within 31 days of the end of your appointment, complete the The Prudential Insurance Company of America conversion form and/or portability forms and return them directly to the insurance carrier.
  • Your University participation in these plans will end on the last day of the month in which your appointment ends.
Short-Term Disability
  • Your participation in the Short-Term Disability plan will end on the last day of the month in which your appointment ends.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) 
  • You may continue to submit claims for expenses you incurred prior to the date your appointment ends.
  • You must submit your expenses by June 30 of the following calendar year. 
  • Contact HealthEquity(WageWorks) at 877.822.9091.
  • Submit a copy of your Explanation of Benefits from your provider with the claim form to HealthEquity(WageWorks)— the FSA administrator.
  • Your participation in a Flexible Spending Account will end on the last day of the appointment unless you are eligible and choose to continue your Health Care FSA through COBRA.
  • If you are eligible to continue your Health Care FSA under COBRA, you will be notified by WageWorks.
Qualified Transportation Program
  • As soon as possible you can continue to submit claims for expenses incurred for services provided to you prior to the date your employment ends.
  • Contact Benefits or HealthEquity(WageWorks) at 877-924-3967 to request a reimbursement form, or visit HealthEquity(WageWorks).
  • Submit a copy of the receipts and the appropriate documentation with the reimbursement form to HealthEquity(WageWorks)— the QTP administrator.
  • Your participation in the QTP stops on the last day of your appointment.
Retirement Benefits

You may choose to receive all or part of your benefit under the University’s retirement plans after your employment has ended. (Please Note: If you transfer from the University to the Medical Center, your employment will not be considered to have ended for this purpose.)

You may elect to receive your benefit under the Contributory Retirement Plan (CRP), the defined contribution portion of the Retirement Income Plan for Employees (ERIP), and the Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP) (collectively, these are the “defined contribution” plans) in any of the following forms:

  • Tax-deferred rollover to an IRA or another employer’s retirement plan;
  • Lump-sum distribution;
  • Installment payments; and
  • An annuity.

You may elect to receive your benefit under the defined benefit portion of ERIP in any of the following forms:

  • Tax-deferred rollover to an IRA or another employer’s retirement plan;
  • Lump-sum distribution; and
  • An annuity.

If you prefer, you may leave your retirement funds with TIAA until such time as you are ready to receive them.

You may choose to receive all or part of your benefit anytime after you leave the University. There is no deadline by which you must make your decision. You are not required to take a distribution from the defined contribution plans until April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which you attain age 70½. You are not required to take a distribution from the defined benefit portion of ERIP until you attain age 65.

When you are ready to begin receiving payments under the defined contribution plans, contact TIAA 800.842.2776 directly to obtain the requisite paperwork. TIAA representatives will provide you with detailed information regarding the alternative forms of payment available to you and the tax consequences of each form.

When you are ready to begin receiving payments under the defined benefit portion of ERIP, you should contact Benefits at 773.702.9634.

Complete the necessary forms (your spouse must sign his/her consent if you are married) and return them to Benefits.

Other Benefits

Your participation in the Child Care Referral, Educational Assistance, Elder Care Consultation and Referral,  Staff and Faculty Assistance programs end on your last day of work.