Retirement Documents

• Teacher Retirement System (TRS)

  To apply for UT retiree insurance, download and submit the necessary documents.

  • TRS Introduction Letter
  • Disclosure of Social Security Number
  • Enrollment/Change Application for Retired Employees
  • Retiree Insurance – Monthly Out-of-Pocket Costs
  • Deduction from TRS Annuity for Retiree Insurance Premiums
  • Direct Payment/Debit Via ACH for Retired Employees
  • UTSaver Unused Annual Leave Deferral Agreement
  • Retirement Vendors
  • Allowable Work Hours for Retired Employees
  • Beneficiary Designation Form
  • UTMB Retirees Association Membership Application
  • Retirement FAQs
• Optional Retirement Program (ORP)

  To apply for UT retiree insurance, download and submit the necessary documents.

  • ORP Introduction Letter
  • Disclosure of Social Security Number
  • Enrollment/Change Application for Retired Employees
  • Retiree Insurance – Monthly Out-of-Pocket Costs
  • Direct Payment/Debit Via ACH for Retired Employees
  • ORP Declaration of Retirement
  • Vesting Letter Request
  • UTSaver Unused Annual Leave Deferral Agreement
  • Retirement Vendors
  • Beneficiary Designation Form
  • UTMB Retirees Association Membership Application
  • Retirement FAQs

Tuition Assistance Program

• Program Overview
  UTMB’s Tuition Assistance Program helps employees achieve higher levels of education and improve their professional mobility. This tax-free program is open to all eligible employees pursuing an undergraduate degree, a graduate degree or a doctoral degree from a nationally accredited college or university that will affect their ability to advance within the university. The maximum reimbursement amount for course credits and related fees is $5,250 per fiscal year.
• Eligibility Requirements

  To be eligible for the program, employees must:

  • Be pursuing an undergraduate degree, a graduate degree or a doctoral degree required of any position at UTMB;
  • Work 30 hours or more per week;
  • Have completed six months of employment at UTMB;
  • Be in good standing – received a satisfactory performance evaluation within the last 12 months and no unresolved corrective action below a final written warning in the previous 12 months as evidenced by satisfactory completion of the recent performance appraisal and any applicable performance improvement plans; and
  • Sign an agreement asserting they will remain in the employment of UTMB for a period of time after the completion of each semester or course that is proportionate to the period of time they received educational assistance.
• Application Process and Forms

  Employees interested in the program should submit an application and a copy of their degree plan 30 days before the start of the semester or course(s). Employees will be notified of the status of their application by email. 

  Tuition Reimbursement Application and Agreement
  Sample Tuition Reimbursement Degree Plan

  Please note that completing an application is not a guarantee of acceptance into the program, and participation in the program does not constitute a right to employment or advancement.

• Reimbursement Guidelines and Forms

  Employees may be reimbursed up to $5,250 per fiscal year for course credits and fees related to an approved degree plan from a nationally accredited college or university.

  To be reimbursed, employees are asked to submit proof of grades and receipt of fees paid within 30 days of the end of the semester or course(s). Please note:

  • Receipts submitted for reimbursement must match the courses approved in the Tuition Reimbursement Application and Agreement to be payable.
  • UTMB will not reimburse any fees already paid through financial assistance, scholarship or other financial benefit derived by public or private programs.
  • Reimbursement for courses taken more than once will not be approved, except for thesis or dissertation courses. 
  • Employees must attain a grade of "C" or better for undergraduate college credit (or an individual job-related credit course outside of a degree plan) or a grade of "B" or better for graduate college credit to qualify for reimbursement.

  Employees should receive reimbursement payments within 45 days of submitting the necessary documentation. 

  Tuition Reimbursement Payment Request Form
  Tuition Reimbursement Plan Document
• Contact Information

  For questions about the Tutition Assistance Program:
    benefits.services@utmb.edu
    (409) 772-2630
    (866) 996-8862

PSLF Program

• Program Overview

  As a UTMB employee, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

  The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after you've made 120 qualifying payments while working full time for a government employer. Click here to learn more about the PSLF Program.

  Please note:

  • You must be employed by a qualifying employer at the time of application for forgiveness and at the time the remaining balance on the loan is forgiven.
  • Amounts forgiven under the PSLF Program are not considered income by the IRS.
  • If you are ineligible for the PSLF Program because some or all payments were not made under a qualifying repayment plan, you may qualify for loan forgiveness under the Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
  • The entire loan forgiveness process will take at least 10 years.
• Qualification Requirements

  To qualify for PSLF, you must:

  • Be employed by a U.S. federal, state, local or tribal government or a not-for-profit organization – UTMB is a qualifying employer as a public university.
  • Work full time for that agency or organization – Full time is considered 40 hours per week unless you are in a 0.9 FTE position (e.g., inpatient nurses, patient care technicians, and respiratory therapists). You could work for multiple qualifying employers to meet this requirement.
  • Have Direct Loans (or consolidate other federal student loans into a Direct Loan) – You must have a loan under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Other federal student loans may become eligible if they are consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan.
  • Repay your loans under an income-driven repayment plan – It is important to note that certain repayment plans do not qualify for the PSLF Program.
  • Make 120 qualifying payments – Payments do not have to be consecutive, and you must complete annual certification process to ensure payments qualify.
• Application Process and Form

  Interested employees should follow these steps to begin the PSLF application process:

  • Complete, sign and date page 1 only of the PSLF Form.
  • Scan a clear/clean copy of the form to HR Employee Records at employee.records@utmb.edu.
  • If you are a current employee, include a copy of your UTMB badge with the form. Former employees must include a legally valid ID with a picture and name. (Note: Due to electronic signatures, employee signatures cannot be verified against their personnel file. Valid IDs are required to ensure this activity is being requested by/and completed on behalf of the employee. Other ID verifiers may be required if a valid ID is not available.)
  • HR Employee Records will complete page 2 of the form and fax it directly to the Department of Education.
  • A copy of the form, including confirmation of receipt by the Department of Education, will be maintained your personnel file and may be provided upon request after the process is complete.

  Once the PSLF servicer has received all of the documentation needed to determine whether you qualify for loan forgiveness, you will be notified.

  Processing times will vary depending on factors such as whether you previously submitted documentation of employment for review or submitted documentation only at the time you applied for loan forgiveness, the number of your employers, any gaps in your employment or payment history, and any required follow up.

• PSLF Resources
  Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  Public Service Loan Forgiveness Form
  Public Service Loan Forgiveness Help Tool
  Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program FAQs
  Federal Student Aid Help Center
• Contact Information

  For general questions about the PSLF Program:
     PSLF Program FAQs
    (855) 265-4038

  For questions about submitting the PSLF form:
    benefits.services@utmb.edu
    (409) 772-2630
    (866) 996-8862