Pre-retirement help
Savings tips from USC retirees
- Put as much as possible into the USC retirement plan to maximize the matched funds
- Save 10–15% of your income every month
- Start early and stay in it for the long term
- Diversify your investment portfolio among funds, stocks, and bonds for growth and stability
- Live off your base salary and save all or portions of overtime, bonuses and extra income
- Keep saving whether you feel you can spare it or not
- Cut costs elsewhere, avoiding unnecessary spending and using what you have wisely
- Live below your means
- Always have health insurance
- Find a good investment advisor to help you budget and invest wisely
- Keep a checking account with at least two months of backup funds
- Keep your house adequately maintained—it's a major asset
- Pay off mortgages and other debts before retirement
- Save for priorities like family education, health, and travel and budget accordingly
- Plan for both enjoying your retirement and for unpredictable aging expenses
- Take savings money off the top, before budgeting for any other expenses
Emeriti Center
Since 1978, the Emeriti Center has served the university's pre-retirees and retirees in living healthy and purposeful lives by providing opportunities for continued service and learning. The Center offers essential information, resources, retirement transition programs, advocacy, privileges, and support.
Upon leaving university employment, a Retiree Gold Card is issued to faculty and staff ages 55 and older who have worked at USC for at least 10 years in a benefits-eligible position. The Gold Card offers numerous retiree privileges.
The Emeriti Center College offers hundreds of presentations and enrichment classes for the university and community, and provides small research stipends.
Contact the Emeriti Center at (213) 740-8921 or visit the Emeriti Center website
When you're ready to retire
When you're ready to retire, consider giving about 3 months' notice to Medicare, and to your retirement vendors, so that you have plenty of time to review your distribution options. We recommend 30 days' notice to the SSRP, and business etiquette suggests a minimum of 2 weeks' notice to your department.
In order to qualify for the retiree stipend, you must have left employment prior to June 30, have 15 years of service, and be age 65 or older. Benefits notifies all eligible individuals every July, inviting them to apply. Note that the retiree stipend is not a benefit and can be stopped at any time. Payments are made quarterly with the first payment beginning in the month of September.
You may continue to get football tickets at the employee discount rate when you retire; contact the ticket office for clarification.
