This information is only a summary of the benefits available to University of Georgia retirees. The provisions and details of each plan described in this document are governed by the contracts negotiated between the University of Georgia, the University System of Georgia, and individual insurance companies. All benefits are subject to change at the discretion of the Board of Regents or the University of Georgia. If there is a difference between the information in this summary and the actual benefit contracts, the terms and conditions of the contracts prevail.
If you have any questions about your benefits options, please contact Employee Benefits at 706-542-2222 or e-mail benefits@uga.edu.
Open enrollment
During the open enrollment period each year (typically in the fall), you will receive a packet of information concerning plan changes for the upcoming year. In this packet of information, you will also receive forms to make changes to your insurance. This information is mailed to you at the address Employee Benefits has on file for you. If you need to change your address, please send a written request to:
University of Georgia
Employee Benefits
Human Resources Building
215 S. Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602
Health Insurance
Note: Retirees are subject to any future health insurance premium adjustments.
Are you or your covered dependent(s) eligible for Medicare?
Once you or any of your covered dependents have acquired Medicare coverage, Medicare will then become the primary coverage and your University System of Georgia insurance coverage will be secondary on the Medicare-eligible member(s).
When you and all your covered dependents are Medicare-eligible, your premium can be reduced if you provide a copy of all Medicare cards to Employee Benefits. The rate reduction will appear on your billing statement or bank draft on the first month after the copies of all cards are received by Employee Benefits.
Have you experienced a change in your family status?
You must add dependents within 31 days of the change of family status (birth, adoption, marriage, etc.).
- In the event of a retiree’s death, a covered spouse may continue health coverage indefinitely or until remarriage. All other covered dependents may remain covered as long as they are eligible under the plan guidelines for eligibility. All covered dependents must complete and return an enrollment card in order to continue health coverage after the death of a retiree.
- You may add newly acquired dependents to your health insurance plan if you were single when you retired.
- You may add newly acquired dependents if you had employee + child, employee + spouse, or family coverage when you retired, and had all eligible dependents covered.
- You may not add newly acquired dependents if, at the time of your retirement, you were married or had eligible dependents but you elected individual health insurance coverage.
- If you have family coverage, employee + child, or employee + spouse coverage, you may cancel your coverage or drop a dependent at any time.
- If both you and your spouse retire from UGA, you should call the Employee Benefits Department for information about adding dependents to your health insurance coverage.
Click here to view specific information on the various health insurance plans offered at the University of Georgia.
Part D Medicare & your prescription coverage through your UGA health plan.
View a list of questions and answers related to Medicare Part D.
View all forms related to your benefits.
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If you have any questions about your benefits options, please contact Employee Benefits
at 706-542-2222 or e-mail benefits@uga.edu.
Dental Plan
Note: Retirees are subject to any future dental insurance premium adjustments.
Is there a reduced retiree rate for dental coverage?
Your premium charges will continue at the same level as those of active employees. There is no reduction connected with your dental insurance.
Does the dental insurance coordinate with Medicare?
There is no coordination of benefits between Medicare and your dental insurance.
Have you experienced a change in your family status?
You must add dependents within 31 days of the change of family status (birth, adoption, marriage, etc.).
- In the event of a retiree’s death, a covered spouse may continue dental coverage indefinitely or until remarriage. All other covered dependents may remain covered as long as they are eligible under the plan guidelines for eligibility. All covered dependents must complete and return an enrollment card in order to continue dental coverage after the death of a retiree.
- You may add newly acquired dependents if you were single when you retired.
- You may add newly acquired dependents if you had employee + child, employee + spouse, or family dental coverage when you retired, and had all eligible dependents covered.
- You may not add newly acquired dependents if, at the time of your retirement, you were married or had eligible dependents but you elected individual coverage.
- If you have questions about dependent or spouse coverage, please contact Employee Benefits at 706-542-2222.
Need to cancel or change your dental coverage?
- If you have individual dental coverage, you may cancel your coverage at any time.
- If you have employee + child, employee + spouse, or family dental coverage, you may cancel your coverage or drop a dependent at any time.
- If both you and your spouse retire from UGA, you should call Employee Benefits for information about adding dependents to your dental insurance coverage.
View specific information about the 2009 dental insurance plan offered at the University of Georgia.
View all forms related to your benefits.
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If you have any questions about your benefits options, please contact Employee Benefits at
706-542-2222 or e-mail benefits@uga.edu.
Life insurance
Basic life insurance
You are eligible to continue the basic life insurance of $25,000. UGA will continue to pay for the basic life insurance coverage.
Optional life insurance
You are eligible to continue up to $15,000 of your optional life insurance coverage into retirement. In addition, if you are interested in continuing all or a portion of your optional life insurance beyond retirement, please read about your options.
Dependent life insurance
- Upon retirement, if you previously had dependent life insurance, you may continue the dependent life insurance on eligible dependents into retirement. You may continue up to $5,000 coverage on each eligible dependent.
- The retiree is the beneficiary for dependent life insurance. Dependent life insurance benefits are canceled in the event of the retiree’s death; however, you may have conversion or portability options. You may read more or contact MetLife at 1-866-492-6983.
Retirees who wish to decrease or cancel optional or dependent life should contact MetLife at 1-866-492-6983.
Retirees who wish to change their beneficiaries should visit the MetLife Web site or call the MetLife toll-free phone number at at 1-866-492-6983.
Retirees who wish to file a life insurance claim in the event of a retiree’s death or the death of a retiree’s covered dependent should contact MetLife toll-free at 1-866-492-6983. A MetLife representatiove will assist you in completing the required paperwork and let you know what documents are necessary in order to file a life insurance claim. In addition, you may wish to contact UGA Employee Benefits at 706-542-2222 to discuss any other benefits which might be affected by the death of the retiree or the retiree's covered dependent.
Retiree optional life |
| Age |
Rate |
| <25 |
$.06/$1000 of coverage |
| 25-29 |
$.07/$1000 of coverage |
| 30-34 |
$.08/$1000 of coverage |
| 35-39 |
$.09/$1000 of coverage |
| 40-44 |
$.12/$1000 of coverage |
| 45-49 |
$.18/$1000 of coverage |
| 50-54 |
$.27/$1000 of coverage |
| 55-59 |
$.43/$1000 of coverage |
| 60-64 |
$.67/$1000 of coverage |
| 65-69 |
$1.27/$1000 of coverage |
| 70-74 |
$3.69/$1000 of coverage |
| 75-79 |
$4.24/$1000 of coverage |
| 80+ |
$4.80/$1000 of coverage |
Retirees who wish to cover dependents |
| Any age dependent |
$2.35 per month for $5000 coverage |
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If you have any questions about your UGA life insurance, please use the MetLife
toll-free customer service number 1-866-492-6983 or
the MetLife secure Web site
Tax deferred savings plans
How do I get a distribution from my 403(b) or my 457(b) account?
You should contact your tax deferred savings company and request a distribution form.
Click here to get contact information for each investment company, or use the contact information on your statement.
When am I eligible to receive distributions from my tax deferred savings accounts?
Distributions are regulated by IRS regulations. Contact your investment company with your specific questions.
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If you have any questions about your benefits options, please contact Employee Benefits at
706-542-2222 or e-mail benefits@uga.edu.
Retirement
Teachers Retirement System of Georgia members
If you are a Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRSGA) retiree and have questions, you should contact TRSGA directly. You may visit the TRS Web site or contact them by phone at 1-800-352-0650 (outside Atlanta) or at 1-404-352-6500.
How can I change the tax withholding on my monthly benefit?
- You may visit TRSGA’s Web site and print the forms in the TRSGA forms section. You should print a GA Dept. of Revenue - G-4 form for state taxes and an Internal Revenue Service - W-4P form for federal taxes.
- You may change your tax withholding as often as you like.
- Contact TRS at 1-800-352-0650 if you have further questions.
How do I change the bank account in which my monthly benefit is deposited?
- You may visit TRSGA’s Web site and in the TRSGA forms section, print the Request for EFT of Retirement Benefits. Mail the completed form to the TRS address on the bottom of the form.
Optional Retirement Plan members
How do I get a distribution from my ORP account?
You should contact your ORP company and request a distribution form.
Click here to view information on the ORP plan and to get contact information for each investment company.
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If you have any questions about your benefits options, please contact Employee Benefits at
706-542-2222 or e-mail benefits@uga.edu.
Long term care insurance
As a retiree, you may be able to apply for long term care insurance. Click here for information on contacting a representative to inquire about this coverage.
If you choose to purchase long term care insurance, you must arrange payment through either a bank draft or direct billing.
UGA Extras
A number of discounted products and services are available to UGA faculty, staff, retirees, and students. For information on the discounted products and services, go to the Benefits home page and click on the UGA Extras link.
Other services & activities
University of Georgia employees enjoy a wide variety of services and activities. They include spectator sports, recreational activities, musical and theatrical entertainment, and educational opportunities.
Visit a reference page of links to many providers of services and activities for UGA faculty & staff.
Human Resources | The University of Georgia
