Retirement guidance

Planning for retirement is a significant milestone that requires thoughtful preparation. This page provides the tools and resources you need to make informed decisions. Whether you are years away from retirement or preparing to retire, USC is here to support you every step of the way.

As you work at USC

USC provides a variety of investments and resources to faculty and staff to help them meet their retirement goals.

You may be part of the Basic Matched Plan, or if you are a hospital employee, the 401(k) Plan. Please review your Workday account for more information regarding eligibility and enrollment for your retirement plan. To meet with a USC Retirement Benefits Specialist, please schedule an appointment below:

You can also schedule a free personal consultation with one of the investment providers below:

For inquiries about educational opportunities, please contact the USC Retirement Plan Administration at 213-821-8100 or rpadmin@usc.edu. Our HR Service Center is also here to provide support and answer questions.  

As you prepare to retire

Retiring from USC is a personal choice. There are no minimum age or service requirements for retirement from the university. However, some post-employment benefits and perks require employees to reach specific age and service milestones to be eligible. Please refer to the following pages to learn more:

USC offers retirement navigators for assistance before and after retirement. To schedule a virtual or in-person meeting with one of USC’s navigators, please click one of the links below.

If you’re a faculty member

Please consult the Faculty Handbook and meet with your Faculty Retirement Navigator, Debbie Jones, at jonesdeb@usc.edu or 213-740-7641.

Additional resources for retirement planning

  • Medicare offers health insurance for citizens over 65.
    • It is recommended that you apply three months prior to retirement.
    • Enrollment in Medicare Part A is advised even if covered under an employer health plan.
    • Parts B and D can be deferred while still employed. When transitioning retirement, individuals aged 65 or older must verify their Health Insurance Coverage with Social Security to apply for Medicare benefits.
  • Social Security is a federal benefit program funded through payroll taxes, providing retirement benefits based on average earnings throughout one’s working life.

Retirees

If you have retired from USC, you can still access a range of resources.

Frozen USC Retirement Benefits and Vendors

Support Staff Retirement Plan

The Defined Benefit plan offers monthly lifetime income upon retirement from USC for covered non-exempt employees. Coverage was available for employees from 1986-2007 (2009 for some union members). Monthly benefit estimates at age 65 can be found in your Workday profile. To initiate the process, please contact Keri Marroquin at uschr@usc.edu or 213-821-8100 . 

Vendor Contact information