Events that Affect Participation

It is important that you understand how your retirement benefits are affected if you turn age 65, become totally disabled, or take a leave of absence.

If You Turn Age 65

When you turn age 65, you have full access to the funds in your BU Retirement Plan.  You may transfer or withdraw funds without penalty.

If You Become Totally Disabled

If you become disabled and start receiving benefits under the Boston University Long Term Disability Plan or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), the University will continue to make its Core Contribution to the BU Retirement Plan on your behalf. While you are receiving disability benefits, your University Core Contributions will be based on your annual base salary or basic hourly rate when you became disabled. Your eligibility for University Core Contributions will continue as long as you remain disabled, but not longer than five years.

The University pays the entire cost of this protection for you.

If You Take a Leave of Absence

If you are granted a leave of absence at full pay, the University’s Core and, if applicable, Matching contributions to the plan will continue. If you are granted a leave of absence at partial pay, the University’s Core and Matching contributions will be based on your reduced eligible compensation.

Core and Matching contributions will stop if you are granted an unpaid leave of absence. However, they will start again, automatically, with the first paycheck you receive when you return.

If you are granted a military leave of absence, the University will, upon your return (while you are protected by veterans’ reemployment laws), contribute to the plan an amount representing the Core Contributions that would normally have been made during your military leave. University Matching Contributions will also be made provided you make your 1%, 2% or 3% contribution to the Supplemental Retirement and Savings Plan.

Remember, if you leave work for any reason for a prolonged period of time, you should always contact Human Resources to ask what effect your absence may have on this and other University-sponsored benefits plans.