UC Pension and Retirement Benefits Questions

You've got questions? They've got answers.

• The RASC
• Financial Matters
• Health Care Coverage

UC Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC)

http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/contacts/rasc.html (link is external)
P.O. Box 24570
Oakland, CA 94623-1570

Phone: 1-800-888-8267

Retirees, choose extension 4
Active Employees, choose extension 3

Phone: 1-510-987-0200 (from outside the U.S.)
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (PT).

Fax: 1-800-792-5178

Retirees can contact RASC about the following topics:

• Benefit Payment and Plan Distribution Administration (UCRP and 415(m) Restoration Plan)
• UCRP Compliance (ensuring Plans are operated in compliance with Plan provisions and legal requirements)
• Annual Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA's)
• Health Insurance Program Administration and Enrollment (Retiree, Survivor, and UCRP Disability)
• Medicare Coordination, Compliance, and Claims Administration
• Demographic Updates (address, marital status, etc.)
• At Your Service Online (AYSO) Support
• Beneficiary Changes
• QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) Counseling and Administration for UCRP
• Death Reporting
• Survivor Counseling and Administration

View a complete menu of services provided by RASC for both retirees and current employees online at http://www.ucop.edu/human-resources/_files/MenuServices.pdf (link is external).

Financial Matters

How do retirees get their monthly direct deposit statement?

Retirees can view and print their monthly income statements on the UCRAYS or Retirement At Your Service portal (sign in and select "Benefit Income" under "Retirement & Savings"). Statements are available by the 1st of the month and up to 18 months worth of statements are available at all times.

If you need to continue to receive your direct deposit statement by mail, or if you need to establish your UCRAYS account, please contact the UC Retirement Administration Service Center at 800-888-8267, ext 4, M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific time.

How does one change his/her Direct Deposit information?

1. The best way to change your Direct Deposit information is through the UCRAYS portal. 
2. You may telephone the Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC); OR
3. Forms to to enroll, change, or cancel the direct deposit of their UCRP benefit are available through the UCnet website. An index of all forms is available. The specific form to enroll, change, or cancel direct deposit of UCRP monthly retirement income is UCRS 160.

How does one change his/her tax withholding?

1. Log in at Retirement At Your Service and select "Benefit Tax withholding" under "Retirement & Savings"); OR
2. You may telephone ther Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC); OR
3. Forms to elect or change withholding for UCRP monthly retirement income are available through the UCnet website. An index of all forms is available. The specific form to elect or change withholding of UCRP monthly retirement income is UBEN 106.

How does one change his/her designation of beneficiaries?

1. Log in at Retirement At Your Service and select "My Beneficiary" under "About (me)"); OR
2. You may telephone the Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC); OR
3. Forms to to designate a beneficiary to receive death benefits from UCRP (including CAP payment, if any) are available through the UCnet website. An index of all forms is available. The specific form to enroll, change, or cancel direct deposit of UCRP monthly retirement income is UBEN 117.

Can retirees return to work at UC Davis?

In general, if a department has determined a staffing need to fill the replacement vacancy created by retirement, the position is filled by open recruitment. However, retirees can return to work after they retire, subject to certain provisions as outlined in UC policies. Policy restrictions vary for non-academic and academic appointments. As of 2009, no lump-sum cashout (LSC) recipient will be allowed to return to a career appointment.

• Non-academic appointments—Reemployment must not occur until there has been a break in service of at least 30 days, and preferably 90 days; the appointment must be limited to no more than 43% time in a 12-month period, and employment of a retiree must not exceed 12 months. More information about non-academic appointments...
• Academic appointments—Academic appointees who have retired can be recalled to active service, on a year-to-year basis. For more information about academic appointments...

Health Care Coverage

What healthcare coverage do retirees receive?

The University of California currently contributes toward the monthly cost of medical and dental coverage for retired employees who are receiving monthly benefits from the University of California Retirement System (UCRS). The university’s contribution toward the monthly cost of medical and dental coverage is determined by the UC Office of the President annually and is subject to change. Eligibility for continued coverage, as well as the amount of the university’s contribution, are both determined by one's years of UC service credit, and the date one became a retirement plan member. For details about service credit requirements, see the UCnet Retiree health and welfare benefits page.

How much will retiree health care coverage cost?

Retiree health care costs vary based on the plan chosen, one's years of service credit, and the date on which one became a retirement plan member. Keep in mind that health insurance premiums have been increasing much faster than inflation, and this trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Information about UC's contribution to medical and dental plans, as well as how the UC contribution to medical and dental premiums works can be found on the UCnet website.

Can one change health care plans upon retirement?

One cannot change plans simply because of retirement. All changes to health care plans must be made during the annual Open Enrollment period, which is usually the month of November each year. Needed changes should be evaluated during the Open Enrollment period preceding retirement. Retirees can change plans at any time if they move out of their plan’s service area.

Can retirees get health care coverage even if they relocate?

Retirees can get health care coverage if they relocate, but not all health plans are available everywhere. Contact the UC Davis Health Care Facilitator Program.

What about vision, legal AD & D and life insurance?

Retirees have the option to continue vision, legal, AD & D (accidental death and dismemberment) and life insurance coverage, but will pay the entire premium for these plans. More information can be found in the Retirement Handbook

Who can help with questions about health care coverage after retirement?

The Health Care Facilitator Program (HCF Program) helps retirees and employees understand and obtain full benefits and services from their health care plan. HCF Program staff members maintain office hours at the UC Davis campus as well as the health system campus. Before contacting the Health Care Facilitator, 1) contact your medical provider's office, 2) contact your medical group, 3) contact your health plan. See also When should you call the Program? 

For those preparing for retirement, the staff can provide information about coverage of different plans in retirement, and can assist with coordinating with Medicare. HCF Program also offers a Health Insurance After You Retire presentation for current staff. This presentation is usually offered in the spring and fall quarters and can be reached through the sidebar navigation on the left side of the HCF Program webpage. 

    Contact information: http://www.hr.ucdavis.edu/hcf/contact_hcfs.html
   Website: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/hcf