OFFICE OF THE SENIOR ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

March 26, 2025

ALL ACADEMICS AT UC SAN DIEGO

As the spring quarter is beginning, I thought it useful to summarize the extensive array of available retirement resources available to those of you nearing retirement. An important aspect of a career at the University of California are the strong retirement benefits. As you consider the possibilities in retirement, I encourage you to visit the UC Retirement at Your Service’s (UC RAYS) webpage to access UC’s retirement estimator to estimate UCRP income, using your planned retirement date and either your current highest average plan compensation or your own estimate of your earnings at the time you plan to retire. Additional information, including FAQs about using and accessing UCRAYS can be found here. Of course, financial considerations alone do not guide an academic’s decisions about retirement, so for those who would like to explore social and personal dimensions as well, the UC Retirement Resource Center hosts an extensive program to assist in retirement preparation. 

In addition, there is the potential to remain engaged with the university. Emeriti who continue to engage in research, teaching, and university service may be eligible for appointment as Professor of the Graduate Division. In addition, in some cases faculty are recalled to service at the university through a return to active duty (RTAD). During my tenure as Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, I have seen many colleagues take advantage of the financial benefits afforded by our excellent retirement system and continue to make important contributions to the research, teaching and service mission of the University of California. Space to work on campus may be an important concern for academics considering retirement, and space is a scarce resource. Faculty considering retirement are encouraged to discuss the potential for access to appropriate space with their department chair. Decisions about emeriti access to space and services are department and school-level decisions based on the current and projected needs of the academic unit. 

UC San Diego has a faculty retirement liaison program for faculty who wish to discuss their concerns about retirement planning. We encourage individual faculty contact Professor Emeritus Joel Dimsdale at jdimsdale@ucsd.edu to discuss their questions and concerns. 

Please also keep the following resources in mind when planning for retirement:

Information about retirement options and plans can be found on Blink and the University of California UCnet webpages.  Here you will find guidance related to program participation, program provisions, retirement benefits, designating beneficiaries, and summary plan descriptions for the various UC retirement tiers.

Please also visit the UC San Diego Retirement Counseling webpage for guidance on how to navigate the process of retiring from UC San Diego.  Here you will find an overview of the retirement process as well as links to help you explore your retirement options, arrange support, and learn about benefits continuation. 

Benefits questions may be emailed to benefits@ucsd.edu or you may call the UC San Diego Benefits Office at (858) 534-2816.  Additionally, you may consult directly with the Retirement Administration Service Center(RASC) at UC’s Office of the President.

Fidelity Retirement Services is the record-keeping and account services company for the UC Retirement Savings Program. 

Fidelity can provide account balances and other information about your accounts.  In addition, it has interactive planning toolsand other resources to help you plan for your financial needs in retirement.  Academics can also meet with a Fidelity Planning and Guidance Consultant on a face-to-face and one-on-one basis by calling our UC San Diego Fidelity Representative Ron Appling at 1-800-558-9182 or visiting the Fidelity Scheduler.

For ladder rank faculty on the general campus, there may exist an opportunity to establish a specific date for separation up to two years in the future and a plan of research, teaching, and service prior to separation through a Pathways to Retirement Plan.

If you are a ladder rank faculty on the general campus and are interested in such a plan, you should consult your department chair on the possibility of establishing a corresponding plan of action.  Please note, establishment of such a plan is subject to dean review/endorsement and Executive Vice Chancellor review and approval and includes an irrevocable commitment to retire.

Components of such a plan prior to separation may include a modified teaching schedule for up to one year, deferral of an upcoming five-year review, and summer ninths for specific research or assignments performed.  Components of such a plan subsequent to separation may include office or laboratory space and research funds.  If you are at least 60 years of age with at least 5 years of UCRP service credit, your chair may also include consideration of a pre-retirement Recall Agreement, promising recall to teach or engage in research for up to three years after retirement, subject to the availability of funds.

By mutual agreement, academics may be recalled by their department or school to active part-time duty to assist the university’s missions in education, research, and service.  Please review Academic Personnel Manual (APM) Section 205, Recalls for Academic Appointees, for information on recall eligibility and requirements. 

For additional information on recall policy and authority, please review UC San Diego’s Academic Recall Guidelines. There are complex changes this year which affect faculty who wish to return to active duty after less than a six-month separation from the university. For further information, see https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/retirees/understanding-your-retiree-benefits/details-retiree-benefits/returning-to-work-after-retirement/ .

Retiring or retired faculty who are members of the Academic Senate and are fully engaged in research and/or other departmental and campus activities and who wish to continue their contributions to UC and UC San Diego may be eligible for appointment as Professor of Graduate Division.

The title of Professor of Graduate Division carries the following distinctions:

Please note, the title of Professor of Graduate Division carries no remuneration.

Retiring or retired faculty interested in the title of Professor of Graduate Division should consult with their department chair on the possibility of such an appointment.

The UC San Diego Emeriti Associationprovides its members an opportunity to maintain contact with their colleagues; promotes the general welfare of the members, their spouses, and their survivors; and assists members to continue their contributions to society.

The association hosts a vibrant array of programs including monthly lectures, a book group, a stimulating publication (Emeriti Chronicles), and keeps track of benefits changes that are important to retired faculty. The association also provides an immensely important and successful mentoring program to the Chancellors Scholars.

The UC San Diego Retirement Associationprovides a multitude of opportunities for member retirees to stay connected with the university.  Through the association, members are welcome to participate in a variety of meaningful opportunities to contribute their time, knowledge, skills, and expertise. 

Please visit the association’s webpagefor additional information related to membership, benefits, and activities & events.

As academics prepare for retirement and the likely resulting down-sizing, many are concerned to find a “home” for their books. The UC San Diego Library selectively accepts donations of materials from faculty and the community for its collection.  A list of generally accepted materials can be found on the library’s Gift Submission Form. Inquiries about prospective donations may be sent to David Schmitt, Program Director for Collection Development and Management, at dschmitt@ucsd.edu, or the appropriate Collection Strategist based on the relevant discipline. Questions about the library’s material gifting policy may be directed to Roger Smith, Associate University Librarian for Scholarly Resources and Services, at ros001@ucsd.edu.

If you have worked for the university for more than 20 years, you may qualify for a retiree parking permit.  Additional information on parking and other retiree resources can be found by visiting the UC San Diego Retirement Associationwebpage.

I trust this information and these resources will be helpful; please contact Academic Personnel Services or the respective offices should you have further questions.

With Best Regards,

Robert E. Continetti
Senior Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs