This digest summarizes issues raised in a research report on the academic rank of the emeritus professorship and retirement. Among the questions addressed are: What prompts an interest in the emeritus status? What trends presage its restructuring? What changes in the emeritus rank are likely? How might a new emeritus rank help solve problems of abolishing a compulsory retirement age? and What should colleges and universities do? The interest in emeritus status is now coinciding with the demise of compulsory retirement. Recent studies illustrate how personnel procedures can utilize fresh conceptions abut the meaning of emeritus status to the mutual benefit of faculty and institution. Trends show the number of emeriti is large and growing, they are becoming more assertive, and they are organizing. Changes in emeritus status would include a part-time working rank, the benefits of which would be negotiated on an individual basis within stated institutional policy. Several problems will emerge if compulsory retirement is abolished, such as making funding available for new teachers and getting rid of deadwood. It is recommended that universities start planning roles now for the emeritus role using the faculty senate as the planning vehicle. Contains 4 references. (GLR)