diff --git a/CHANGELOG.rst b/CHANGELOG.rst
index 8e446d37..baa8b921 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.rst
+++ b/CHANGELOG.rst
@@ -16,6 +16,14 @@ Unreleased
 
 *
 
+0.3.8 - 2025-10-21
+******************
+
+Fixed
+-----
+
+* Do not modify LMS users during retirement — this is handled by the LMS retirement pipeline.
+
 0.3.4 – 2025-08-13
 ******************
 
diff --git a/forum/__init__.py b/forum/__init__.py
index 57793e8c..3a5afaa3 100644
--- a/forum/__init__.py
+++ b/forum/__init__.py
@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@
 Openedx forum app.
 """
 
-__version__ = "0.3.7"
+__version__ = "0.3.8"
diff --git a/forum/api/users.py b/forum/api/users.py
index 71c3a36e..1ea6e054 100644
--- a/forum/api/users.py
+++ b/forum/api/users.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 import math
 from typing import Any, Optional
 
-from forum.backend import get_backend
+from forum.backend import get_backend, is_mysql_backend_enabled
 from forum.constants import FORUM_DEFAULT_PAGE, FORUM_DEFAULT_PER_PAGE
 from forum.serializers.thread import ThreadSerializer
 from forum.serializers.users import UserSerializer
@@ -135,14 +135,11 @@ def retire_user(
     user = backend.get_user(user_id)
     if not user:
         raise ForumV2RequestError(f"user not found with id: {user_id}")
-    backend.update_user(
-        user_id,
-        data={
-            "email": "",
-            "username": retired_username,
-            "read_states": [],
-        },
-    )
+    data: dict[str, Any] = {"read_states": []}
+    if not is_mysql_backend_enabled(course_id):
+        data["username"] = retired_username
+        data["email"] = ""
+    backend.update_user(user_id, data=data)
     backend.unsubscribe_all(user_id)
     backend.retire_all_content(user_id, retired_username)