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Essential Considerations for University of Missouri Employees Contemplating Retirement: What You Need to Know Before Making the Leap

With all of the changes at University of Missouri employees need to know what steps to take before leaving. Retiring, or worse, losing your job, is a monumental (for better or for worse) moment in your life. Your mind is racing, your palms are sweating, and you simply just doesn't know how to operate. The loss of a job, especially for those with over 20 years of service, affects the same receptors in the brain as the loss of a loved one. You have been connected with University of Missourifor 20 years, and now the relationship is over. Remember to reach out to University of Missouri HR & Benefits departments for all University of Missouri summary plan descriptions.

The same five stages of grief apply for a person going through retirement, job loss, or the loss of a loved one. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance are a part of the framework that makes up our learning to get through the lack of employment.

As the reality of the situation settles, your emotions will be a mess. You might feel upset one minute, and annoyed the next, and it can be tempting to vent your frustrations. Remember, acting upon impulse almost never turns out well, and can make a difficult situation even worse.

Here are a few items to check off as you consider leaving University of Missouri:

1. Sit down and carefully analyze your finances. If you have a spouse or signifigant other, involve them in this process. Avoid doing financial business with friends or family. Money and friendships do not mix.

2. Call your Credit Union or Bank, and consider opening a line of credit against your home equity. Consider opening additional credit cards to create an emergency credit line. As many of you have been employed your whole life, you probably won't think to do this - once you are unemployed, it becomes exceedingly difficult to get credit, making it very important you take this line of action.

3. Go over your 401(k) contributions, if you were making them. Decide whether or not you should increase your contributions for your remaining time on payroll, or cease them entirely to build up more immediate cash. How you proceed may have big tax implications. Depending on when you stop contributing, you may end up in a much higher tax bracket due to your severance payment, unemployment, etc.

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4. It's not always wise to file for unemployment immediately after the loss of a job. Depending on the time of year you are laid off, paired with your financial situation, it could be beneficial to wait to file your claim so that your unemployment payments fall in the next tax year, when your overall income is lower due to the fact that you're unemployed. There are an overwhelming number of situations that you want to consider before making a move on this. We recommend speaking with a University of Missouri-focused retirement advisor to go over your options.

5. Unless you believe your layoff was deserved, speak to a trusted lawyer to go over your options. Venting your anger at managers and colleagues may feel amazing temporarily, but it will damage your career in the long run. You spent all this time building up your relationships at University of Missouri why burn them now? Avoid going online even anonymously to berate past University of Missouri staff & management.

6. Have a plan for how to fill the void on your LinkedIn profile and your resume. If you are pursuing a new job, having a job makes it much easier when finding your next adventure. In the mean time, you might consider becoming a consultant until you find a permanent position. You may also find the ability go go back to University of Missouri as a contractor working on your terms.

7. Figure out what you will tell your University of Missouri wcoworkers - create your go-to statement and practice it, so you can say it without becoming too emotional. It will be normal for friends and acquaintances to ask, and we assume you won't want to burst into tears or lash out every time the question is popped. However horrible you feel, it's crucial to remain calm and act professional, and try to avoid doing anything that might hinder your reputation or integrity. Remember to stay professional on social media when discussing University of Missouri.

How does the eligibility criteria for the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan at the University of Missouri System differ for Level One and Level Two members, particularly in regard to their hire or rehire dates?

Eligibility Criteria for Level One and Level Two Members: Level One members are employees hired before October 1, 2012, or those rehired before October 1, 2019, who had earned a vested benefit but did not receive a lump sum. Level Two members are those hired or rehired between October 1, 2012, and October 1, 2019, without eligibility for Level One benefits. Employees hired after October 1, 2019, do not accrue service credit under the DB Plan(University of Missouri …).

In what ways do service credits accumulated at the University of Missouri System impact an employee's retirement benefits, and how can employees ensure that they effectively maximize their service credit over the years?

Impact of Service Credits on Retirement Benefits: Service credits are critical in calculating retirement benefits at the University of Missouri System. Employees accumulate service credits based on their years of service, which directly affect their pension calculations. Maximizing service credits involves consistent full-time employment without breaks, as any leave of absence or part-time status may impact the total service credits earned(University of Missouri …)(University of Missouri …).

What are the various options available to employees at the University of Missouri System for receiving their retirement benefits upon reaching normal retirement age, and how do these options influence long-term financial planning for retirement?

Retirement Benefit Options: Upon reaching normal retirement age, employees can choose between a Single Life Annuity or a Joint and Survivor Annuity, both with options for lump-sum payments of 10%, 20%, or 30% of the actuarial present value. These choices influence monthly payout amounts, and selecting a lump sum reduces future monthly benefits proportionally(University of Missouri …).

With respect to the University of Missouri System's Defined Benefit Plan, how are employees' contributions structured, and what implications does this have for their overall retirement savings strategy?

Employee Contributions: Employees contribute 1% of their salary up to $50,000 and 2% for earnings beyond that threshold. This structure helps fund the DB Plan, with the University covering the majority of the cost. Employees need to factor in these contributions as part of their overall retirement savings strategy(University of Missouri …).

How can employees at the University of Missouri System assess their eligibility for early retirement benefits, and what considerations should be taken into account when planning for an early retirement?

Early Retirement Eligibility: Employees may retire early if they meet specific criteria: at least 10 years of service credit for ages 55–60 or at least 5 years of service credit for ages 60–65. Early retirees will receive a reduced benefit to account for the longer payout period(University of Missouri …).

What tax implications should employees of the University of Missouri System be aware of when it comes to distributions from their retirement plans, and how can they effectively navigate these implications?

Tax Implications of Retirement Plan Distributions: Distributions from the University of Missouri System’s DB Plan are subject to federal taxes. Employees can mitigate tax burdens by electing to roll over lump-sum distributions to a qualified retirement account, such as an IRA, to avoid immediate tax liability(University of Missouri …).

What are the policies regarding the continuation of benefits for employees who leave the University of Missouri System, particularly for those who are not vested or are classified as non-vested members?

Non-Vested Employee Policies: Employees who leave the University before vesting in the DB Plan (fewer than 5 years of service) are not eligible for retirement benefits but can receive a refund of their contributions. These non-vested employees must decide whether to receive their refunded contributions as a lump sum or through a rollover to another retirement account(University of Missouri …).

How might changes in employment status, such as taking a leave of absence or returning to work after a break, affect the service credit calculation for an employee at the University of Missouri System?

Impact of Employment Status Changes on Service Credit: Employees who take leaves of absence or return after breaks in employment may experience reductions in service credit. However, certain types of leave, such as military service or medical leave, may allow employees to continue earning service credit(University of Missouri …)(University of Missouri …).

In the event of an employee's death prior to retirement, what benefits are available to their survivors under the University of Missouri System's Defined Benefit Plan, and how can members ensure their wishes are respected?

Survivor Benefits: In the event of an employee’s death before retirement, survivors may be eligible for either a lump sum or monthly payments. Employees can designate beneficiaries to ensure that their wishes are honored, providing financial protection for dependents(University of Missouri …).

How can an employee at the University of Missouri System contact the Human Resources Service Center to obtain personalized assistance regarding their retirement options and any inquiries related to their retirement plan details? These questions require detailed answers and are designed to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of retirement processes and options for employees of the University of Missouri System.

Contacting HR for Assistance: Employees can contact the Human Resources Service Center for personalized assistance regarding their retirement options by emailing hrservicecenter@umsystem.edu or visiting the myHR portal for further details(University of Missouri …).