Ready to Retire?

During the six-month window prior to retirement date:

• View the FRS Video (recommended).
• To create an estimate for your pension benefit, log in at FRS Online or contact the Division of Retirement at 1-844-377-1888.
• Submit your Application for Service Retirement.
  • You may complete your application electronically at FRS Online, no notarization required, OR  
  • Submit a notarized hard copy and other required documents to UF Benefits in person or by fax (352-392-5166). Appointments available for assistance.
    • Service Retirement Packet
    • Birth verification document
    • If you have a spouse and choose a survivor benefit for your pension (Option 3 or 4):
      • Joint Annuitant’s birthdate verification document
      • Marriage certificate
    • If you have a spouse and do NOT choose a survivor benefit (Option 1 or 2):
      • Spouse must sign form SA-1 acknowledging this choice. This requires notarization.
• Submit your retirement letter to your department and to UF Benefits at least one month before exit date.

After retirement date:

• Contact People First about your State health/life insurance
• Contact Social Security about Medicare enrollment

During the six-month window prior to DROP exit date:

• View the FRS Video (recommended)
• Contact FRS for benefit estimates: www.myfrs.com or call 1-866-446-9377
• 90 days before your DROP exit date, the Division of Retirement (DOR) will mail you an information packet and required forms.
  • Submit DP-Term form to UF Benefits.
  • Return DP-PAYT to DOR to determine how you will receive your lump sum.
    • Recommended: Speak with a tax specialist or financial advisor prior to making this decision.
• If you choose to exit DROP early:
  • Submit your notice to your department and UF Benefits as soon as possible so our team can update DOR with your new exit date.
  • There is no penalty for exiting DROP early.

After DROP Exit date:

• Contact People First about your state health/life insurance
• Contact Social Security about Medicare enrollment

During the six-month window prior to retirement date:

• Review the Termination Kit
• Call myFRS at 1-866-446-9377
• Submit your retirement letter to your department

After retirement date:

• Contact People First about your state health/life insurance
• Contact Social Security about Medicare enrollment

Prior to retirement date:

• Contact your investment provider company
• Submit the ORP Retire form to UF Benefits via fax at (352) 392-5166.
  • You may also email the form to benefits@ufl.edu, but please redact your Social Security number if you choose email.
• Submit your retirement letter to your department

After retirement date:

• Contact People First about your state health/life insurance
• Contact Social Security about Medicare enrollment

FRS Pension Plan

As a vested FRS Pension Plan participant, you may take early retirement instead of normal retirement if you are vested and within 20 years of your normal retirement age. Your benefit is reduced by 5% for each year you are under your normal retirement age. Refer to the “Early Retirement” section of the FRS Pension Plan Member Handbook for more information. Early retirees will complete the same steps as listed in the “Service Retirement” section above.

Taking a distribution from your pension will make you ineligible for rehire for at least six months from the date of your distribution. You would also become ineligible to rejoin the Pension Plan or DROP upon rehire even if your position would usually qualify.

FRS Investment Plan

As a vested FRS Investment Plan participant, taking a distribution from your plan prior to age 59.5 is considered early retirement and may be subject to a 10% tax penalty. Rollovers and withdrawals are both considered distributions and will make you ineligible for rehire for at least six months from the date of your distribution. You would also become ineligible to join the Pension Plan or DROP upon rehire even if your position would usually qualify.

SUSORP

All SUSORP participants are immediately vested. Taking a distribution from your plan prior to age 59.5 is considered early retirement and may be subject to a 10% tax penalty. Rollovers and withdrawals are both considered distributions and will make you ineligible for rehire for at least six months from the date of your distribution. You would also become ineligible to join the Pension Plan or DROP upon rehire even if your position would usually qualify.

• Contact the Division of Retirement’s Disability Determination Section at 1-844-377-1888 to discuss your options
• Submit the Application for Disability Retirement to the Disability Determination Section