Having made the decision to retire relatively suddenly, Janine quickly realized that adjusting to retirement came with some challenges. Her experience is far from uncommon. In fact, retirement, while exciting, often brings a mix of emotions. The anticipation of newfound freedom can also stir up feelings of discomfort and uneasiness.

In recognition of the complexities of this life transition, the Office of the Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs), through UM Family Resources, and the help of the Pension Office and Human Resources, has developed a number of resources to support staff and faculty as they navigate the non-financial aspects of retirement.

Tracey Peter, Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs), says, “We strive to support our community members throughout their entire academic and professional journey. This project reflects a commitment to a robust, comprehensive, and holistic approach to retirement planning. By addressing the emotional considerations of this transition, we aim to complement UM’s existing financial planning resources.”

Road to Retirement: non-financial considerations

Road to Retirement is a self-directed course now available on UM Learn, designed to help guide staff and faculty through the emotional and psychological impacts of retirement.

As highlighted in the course, “Too few people consider the psychological adjustments that accompany this life stage, which can include coping with the loss of your career identity, replacing support networks you had through work, spending more time than ever before with your spouse and finding new and engaging ways to stay active.” (source: Jamie Chamberlin, Monitor on Psychology, January 2014)

The course also includes a new Retirement Readiness checklist for both academics and support staff to outline potential steps in the preparation process.

To access the course, visit UM Learn and sign in using your UM email and password. Once logged in, click on ‘Self Registration’ and select: Road to Retirement.

Retirement Readiness Peer Network

The Retirement Readiness Peer Network is for UM staff and faculty nearing retirement who may have questions or concerns about the impact of this significant life transition. Held once per term, usually over the lunch hour, these sessions provide a supportive space for peers to share their thoughts and emotions about the retirement journey. Sessions will vary in structure, sometimes featuring a guest speaker, a panel discussion, or dedicated networking session.

The inaugural session is Friday, December 13^th featuring UM retiree Janine Harasymchuk as the guest speaker. To learn more about Janine and to register, visit the event listing.

Francene Perehinec, Family Resource Coordinator, says, “For many of us, our work plays a significant role in our lives and shapes our sense of identity. Transitioning from our professional roles brings many changes, and approaching this shift thoughtfully can be incredibly helpful. We hope these new resources will be a valuable asset to UM staff and faculty.”

Find more retirement planning resources on the Retirement Planning intranet page.

Speakers will provide information on a number of topics, including an overview of the Pension Plan, the pension benefit payout options available, wills and estate planning, government benefits, taxes and retiree benefits.

An additional informational session on May 28 is open to all plan members who would like general information on the Pension Plan, long-term financial planning, wills, power of attorney, health care directives, family law matters and retiree benefits.

Registration is required. Please ensure your LOD account is active prior to registering. Participants will be contacted through email by the Pension Office after registration closes.

For more information and to register for sessions, please visit the LOD course registration web page.

Retirement planning sessions

Registration and attendance are limited to those who are within five years of retirement.
Registration is limited to 20 attendees per session.

• Session 1 – Part 1 (Virtual)
  Date: May 27, 2024
  Time: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Session 1 – Part 2 (Virtual)
  Date: May 29, 2024
  Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Session 2 (Fort Garry Campus, 108 St John’s College)
  Date: May 30, 2024
  Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Session 3 (Virtual)
  Date: May 28, 2024
  Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Note: Registration closes before noon on April 22, 2024.

Information session: Thinking ahead long-term to your retirement (virtual)

Registration and attendance are open to all plan members.

Date: May 28, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Note: Registration closes before noon on April 29, 2024

Questions about the sessions can be directed to Lisa Wolfe-Ulrich, Pension Specialist, Pension Office, at Lisa.Wolfe-Ulrich@umanitoba.ca.

An additional informational session on November 10 is open to all plan members who would like more general information on the Pension Plan, long term financial planning, wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, family law matters, and retiree benefits.  

All sessions will be held via Webex meetings.

Registration is required. Please ensure your LOD account is active prior to registering. Participants will be contacted through email by the Pension Office after registration closes.

Find more information and register for the virtual sessions.

Retirement Planning Sessions

Registration and attendance is limited to those who are within five years of retirement.

Registration is limited to 20 attendees per session.

Session 1

Date: November 7, 2022

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Session 2

Date: November 8, 2022

Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Session 3

Date: November 9, 2022

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Note: Registration closes before noon on September 26, 2022

INFORMATION SESSION: THINKING AHEAD LONGTERM TO YOUR RETIREMENT

The information session is limited to 90 registrants.

Date: November 10, 2022

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Note: Registration closes before noon on October 31, 2022

Questions about the sessions can be directed to Bernard Gold, Director, pension office, at bernard [dot] gold [at] umanitoba [dot] ca

An additional information session on November 12 is open to all plan members who would like more information on the Pension Plan and long term financial planning.

Speakers will provide information on a number of topics including an overview of the Pension Plan, the pension benefit payout options available, wills and estate planning and retiree benefits. The sessions will be held via Webex meetings.

Registration is required. Please ensure your LODReg account is active prior to registering. Participants will be contacted through email by the Pension Office after registration closes.

For more information and to register for the virtual sessions, please click here.

RETIREMENT PLANNING SESSIONS

Registration and attendance is limited to those who are within five years of retirement.

Registration is limited to 20 attendees per session.

Session 1

Date: November 8, 2021

Time: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Session 2

Date: November 9, 2021

Time: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Session 3

Date: November 10, 2021

Time: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Note: Registration closes on October 8, 2021.

INFORMATION SESSION: THINKING AHEAD TO YOUR RETIREMENT PLANNING

The information session is limited to 90 registrants.

Date: November 12, 2021

Time: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Note: Registration closes on November 1, 2021.

Questions about the sessions can be directed to Sharmaine Gagnon, Governance Administrator, Pension Office, Human Resources at sharmaine [dot] gagnon [at] umanitoba [dot] ca.

An additional session on Nov. 12 is open to all plan members who would like more information on the Pension Plan and long term financial planning.

Speakers will provide information on a number of topics including an overview of the Pension Plan, the pension benefit payout options available, and wills and estate planning. The sessions will be held via Webex meetings.

Registration is required. Participants will be contacted through email by the Pension Office after registration closes.

For more information and to register for the virtual sessions, please click here.

Retirement Planning Sessions

Registration and attendance is limited to those who are within five years of retirement.

Registration is limited to 20 attendees per session.

Session 1

SESSION FULL

Date: November 9, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Session 2

SESSION FULL

Date: November 10, 2020

Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Session 3

SESSION FULL

Date: November 13, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Note: Registration closes on October 23.

Information Session: Thinking Ahead to your Retirement Planning

The information session is limited to 90 registrants.

Date: November 12, 2020

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Note: Registration closes on October 30.

Questions about the sessions can be directed to Sharmaine Gagnon, governance administrator, pension office, human resources, at sharmaine[dot]Gagnon[at]umanitoba[dot]ca

Speakers will provide information on: the retirement planning process; U of M’s pension plan and the pension benefit payout options available on retirement; government benefits; taxes; wills; estate planning; and retiree health benefits.

“The Retirement Planning Session provided a clear and comprehensive overview of the options available to an individual considering retirement, says Janice Tilly, executive assistant to the dean of engineering and UMFA human resource manager.

“The facilitator was knowledgeable and presented additional information to consider when deciding what option to choose with your pension. It was an excellent workshop.”

The sessions on May 8 and 23 will be held at the Fort Garry campus; the May 30 session will be held at the Bannatyne campus. A light lunch will be provided.

Register early because each session is limited to 20 faculty and staff; there is extra room if employees want to bring their partner to the session. 

To attend a session on May 8 at Fort Garry, register here.

To attend a session on May 23 at Fort Garry, register here.

To attend the session on May 30 at Bannatyne, register here.  

Questions about registration for the sessions can be directed to Lynn Bohonos, learning and organizational development, human resources at 204-474-9124 or lynn.bohonos@umanitoba.ca.

After registration closes participants will be contacted through email by the Pension Office.