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Duke Life After Retirement

How to navigate Duke benefits and activities after completing your career

Connie Winstead, co-chair of Duke University Retiree Outreach (DURO), helps weed the garden at Lakewood Elementary School in Durham. Photo by April Dudash
Connie Winstead, co-chair of Duke University Retiree Outreach (DURO), helps weed the garden at Lakewood Elementary School in Durham. Photo by April Dudash

It may take decades to prepare for a fulfilling and financially healthy retirement, but when the moment finally arrives, then what?

Duke Benefits recommends that staff and faculty make an appointment with a benefits representative at least two months before a retirement date to evaluate benefits and complete required paperwork.

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Ginny Cake, Duke’s former assistant chief information officer, did just that.

Cake, who retired this year after 42 years at Duke, also met with her financial planner and considered her retirement aspirations, such as playing golf, gardening, practicing yoga and spending time with her family. 

“Meeting with a Duke benefits representative helps you navigate all the things that you need to think about and forms to complete before your retirement day arrives,” said Cake, 60. “It’s worth the time because there are multiple decisions to make and retirement benefits that you may not be aware of, such as the Retirees Association.”

Here are some Duke perks, benefits, extracurricular activities to consider upon retirement:

Continue receiving Duke benefits

Employees enrolled in health or dental coverage at retirement are generally eligible to continue coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) or under Duke’s retiree health and dental provisions. 

Eligibility to participate is based upon whether the retiree is employed in the University or Health System, years of service, hire date, and age at retirement. Duke retirees participate in annual Open Enrollment each fall and can discontinue coverage or remove covered dependents anytime. Once coverage is dropped, a retiree cannot reenroll.

Employees enrolled in Duke vision insurance can continue coverage for 18 months through COBRA.

Join a retirees association  

Membership in the Duke University Retirees Association (DURA) is free and open to all retirees. The association holds luncheons at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club and connects retirees to Duke volunteer opportunities.

“It’s a great networking opportunity for the retirees to get together and socialize with their old friends or coworkers, as well as an easy way to become Duke volunteers,” said Joyce Teston, DURA president and retired Duke Hospital staff specialist.

Get perks

Retirement doesn’t put an end to an employee’s Duke memberships. Employees can keep or start memberships with Duke Golf Course, Duke Fitness Club and Duke Credit Union.

Volunteer in Durham  

Volunteer with Duke University Retiree Outreach (DURO), which partners with Lakewood Elementary School in Durham to tutor students, tend to the school garden and more.

“DURO members work together to provide support and enrichment to the students, families and teachers,” said Connie Winstead, DURO co-chair and retired Duke data technician. “If you want to be active, make a contribution to the community and meet other wonderful retirees, come to a DURO meeting and find out more about it.”

Take a class

Learn oil painting, civil rights history and other topics at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a Duke continuing studies program for adult learners. Besides offering different courses, the institute also holds activities such as book groups and dance lessons.