Emeritus & Retired Faculty Program

A man with white hair wearing a red shirt and green vest smiles, walking hand in hand with a woman with red shoulder-length hair, wering a purple scarf and green jacket. They are walking along a scenic river with trees in the background.

NEXT PHASE Program

Supporting Purpose, Happiness, and Advancement of Senior and Emeriti/Retired Faculty

About the NEXT PHASE Program
Navy background with the words NEXT PHASE in White and Yellow, arrows between the E and X and after the E in Phase

For a list of available workshop offerings and activities, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

An important goal of any successful faculty development program is to support and develop faculty throughout all phases of their careers. Upon achieving emeritus/emerita status and/or considering retirement, many medical school faculty members who have spent years immersed in clinical practice, research, teaching, administration, and other service activities for Michigan Medicine wish to remain engaged at some level. This could be through part time work, mentoring, advising, coaching, or other services for their department and the institution at large. In addition, the ongoing engagement of emeriti and retired faculty allows the organization to preserve valuable “institutional knowledge,” transfer skills and knowledge to the next generation of faculty, and support faculty in their later career stages.  

Other goals include helping senior faculty understand institutional policies governing emeritus/emerita status and retirement, enhancing understanding of the effects of retirement on finances, insurance, and other benefits, helping faculty find opportunities and resources within the Ann Arbor community at large, facilitating social gatherings for faculty at this stage, and individual retirement and pre-retirement coaching.

The program is available to emeriti/emeritae faculty, retired faculty (whether or not they are eligible for emeritus status or pursue emeritus status), and senior faculty who are approaching retirement (ideally within three years of their anticipated retirement date). 

Laura W. Lamps, MD
Godfrey D. Stobbe Professor and Director of Gastrointestinal Pathology
Asst. Chair for Faculty Development
Department of Pathology
University of Michigan Medical School
Faculty Lead of the NEXT PHASE Emeritus Program

Barbara Ackley
Assistant Vice-President (Retired), Office of University Development
University of Michigan

Mary C. Blazek, MD
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
University of Michigan Medical School

Ralph Broadwater, MD, CFP, AIF
Chief Investment Officer, Principal
The Arkansas Financial Group

George Michael Deeb, MD
Professor of Cardiac Surgery
Director, Multidisciplinary Aortic Clinic
Asst. Program Director, Integrated Residency and Thoracic Surgery Fellowship

John Heidke, PhD
President and Executive Consultant, Double H Consulting
Former M-Care Board Member

John Randolph, MD
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Program Director, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship
Professor of Epidemiology

Brian J. Zink, MD
Adjunct Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine
Former Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Faculty Development
University of Michigan Medical School

Do you need advice for next steps for preparing for your retirement?  Do you want to talk to someone to discuss your specific circumstances and how to prepare for the future?  Complete this intake form and we will match you with one of our specialized retirement coaches (these coaching sessions will be limited to four sessions or less).  
Where can I find information on my retirement benefits?

The Benefits Administration Office has put together a list of questions and answers for those considering retirement. Download a PDF of resources, review the Medicare FAQ, or learn more from this video about planning for health care as a University of Michigan retiree. You can also attend events on the topic sponsored by Faculty Development by checking the Faculty Development Workshops page (requires Level 2 access). FAQs covered in the OFA/OFD Q&A Session are linked on this google document.

If you have additional questions about your retirement benefits, you can call the SSC Contact Center at 5-2000 from the Ann Arbor campus, (734) 615-2000 locally, or (866) 647-7657 toll free, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What is active emeritus status? 

Per the Med School Faculty Handbook: An “active status” appointment may be requested for retirees who wish to continue their clinical, research, or service activities to the institution. An active appointment is necessary if the retiree requires clinical privileges, receives payment for clinical services or teaching, or continues to be formally involved in research grant activity and must be renewed annually.

How is parking handled for emeritus faculty?

If an active emeritus faculty member is in need of a parking pass because they are still working at the university (for unpaid work) they would need a letter from their Chair/Division Chief/Department indicating a parking pass would be necessary. They would then be able to purchase a blue pass from Parking Services at a discounted rate.

Retiree After Hours Parking

I am emeritus but I am still being paid a percentage of my FTE on my grant. Are my benefits "retirement" benefits?

You are retired, therefore would receive retirement benefits no matter your FTE status on a grant or grants.

Will I still be able to use my University of Michigan email account when I retire? 

As a retiree you will have the option to keep your @umich.edu (Google) email address. Active emeritus faculty may continue using the @med.umich.edu (Outlook) email address. This is renewed annually by an authorized signer in your primary department.      

Will I still have access to online journals when I retire?

Yes. All retired faculty and staff can borrow materials and request items from another institution through interlibrary loan. Get more information on library services for retired faculty.

I have questions about intellectual property. Who do I contact?

If you are a retired or emeritus professor and you have questions about intellectual property you've developed post-retirement, please contact the Office of General Counsel.

For more information on retirement processes:
Tim Kimmel
Administrative Specialist Senior
Office of Faculty Affairs
[email protected]


For more information about the NEXT PHASE program:
Molly Trusty
Program Manager
Office of Faculty Development
[email protected]

Retirement and Emeritus Policies
Retirement

The University offers its faculty members the option of retiring completely or “phasing” into retirement by various combinations of partial appointments. Additional information for retirement can be found in SPG 201.83.

Ways for faculty to retire from the University of Michigan:

 

Process for formal Emeritus/Emerita Title

Retiring faculty who have had a significant role in departmental activities may be considered for the formal Emeritus Faculty title. 

For the department, the advantages of maintaining a group of emeritus faculty are: continuing contact for mentoring, teaching, research, or other departmental activities; maintaining faculty contact for personal donations and help with development; and having emeritus faculty available for advice to students, residents, junior faculty as it may be appropriate.

The provision of office space, clerical assistance, or financial support to active emeritus faculty is sometimes provided by departments but is dependent on the department's capabilities.  See SPG 201.80 for further details about Emeritus/Emerita titles.

As per the Faculty Handbook, an “active status” appointment may be requested for retirees who wish to continue their clinical, research, or service activities to the institution.

An active appointment is necessary if the retiree requires clinical privileges, receives payment for clinical services or teaching, or continues to be formally involved in research grant activity and must be renewed annually. 

Planning for Retirement and Retirement Benefits

The University of Michigan HR Department handles benefits, including retirement benefits.

These resources should answer questions you may have about retirement and retirement benefits. If you have further questions, please call the Shared Services Contact Center at (734) 615-2000 locally, or (866) 647-7657 toll free, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Resources

Here you will find institutional, regional, and academic resources related to retirement and emeriti appointments.

Upcoming Events

Aging Wisely: Embracing the Journey Symposium
You're invited to enjoy a complimentary breakfast while discovering new insights and practical strategies for thriving as you age at our “Aging Wisely: Embracing the Journey” symposium. The morning includes a keynote presentation sharing the latest research from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, followed by an engaging panel discussion with Michigan Medicine experts. This is a great chance to learn, connect, and be part of an inspiring community.
elderly coupling holding yoga mats

How Can I Reduce My Risk of Dementia?
This presentation will review current evidence regarding the life-course risk and protective factors for cognitive decline and dementia. A brief review of the biology of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will also be presented, along with UM-based research on aging, cognitive decline, and the epidemiology of dementia.
doctor pointing to brain scans

NEXT PHASE Book Discussion - What to Make of a Life: Cliffs, Fog, Fire and the Self-Knowledge Imperative
Join us for a discussion of What to Make of a Life: Cliffs, Fog, Fire and the Self-Knowledge Imperative by Jim Collins (author of Good to Great)—a thought-provoking guide for anyone in (or approaching) their next phase.
books and coffee