Planning for and implementing the Financial Accounting and Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards for nonpension retirement benefits gives colleges and universities an opportunity to assess and revise their retiree health benefit plans. However, assessment of the current plan, objectives of changes, projected impact, and…

Four recent and proposed changes in national school accounting standards have significant policy implications for colleges and universities. These changes address (1) standards regarding postemployment benefits other than pensions, (2) depreciation, (3) financial report format, and (4) contributions and pledges made to the school. Governing boards…

With health insurance costs soaring for both current employees and retirees, governing boards of institutions of higher education must contain costs. Possible strategies include shifting some expenses from employer to employee, establishing flexible-benefit or cafeteria plans, using managed care to reduce unnecessary medical procedures,…

This booklet provides an overview of the principal concepts of pension portability. Pension portability has become an area of increasing interest since a lack of portability discourages veteran teachers from seeking teaching opportunities in other districts or states. This obstacle can force teachers to abandon the profession, thus contributing to…

Early retirement incentive programs are discussed as a humanitarian way of reducing payroll costs and rewarding long-tenured employees. The incentives to be considered, program communication, and problems found in incentive programs are addressed. (Author/MLF)

To offset declining enrollments, financial constraints, younger faculties, and high tenure ratios, some institutions are considering early retirement programs to facilitate faculty turnover. A University of Virginia faculty committee reviewed several early retirement options and selected a cost-effective bridging program with ample incentives and…

A guide, intended to help independent schools attract and retain competent people through appropriate compensation packages, provides the basis for a review of a school's current general benefits program. It also contains suggestions for improving compensation packages by offering a wider range of tax-favored nonsalary benefits without necessarily…

The various retirement income options available to TIAA-CREF participants and federal taxes on each option are explained. The importance of early planning for retirement income is stressed and it is suggested that assessment of future financial needs will indicate the most appropriate settlement mode for retirement. (SF)

Information on retirement investment planning is provided for college and university human resource managers, focusing on what employees need to know about maximizing contributions to the 403(b) plan without becoming liable for penalties for excessive savings. Calculations are explained and illustrated with a hypothetical case and data charts.…

Portions of a July 1983 document describing the origins and possible functions of a commission on college faculty retirement, to be funded by the Carnegie Commission, are presented. The commission's major tasks would be to reexamine the purposes and goals of a pension fund, review the current plans, and structure a plan for the future. (MSE)

Alternatives proposed include early and phased retirement, career change incentives, retraining programs and/or leave, outplacement, and an earnings supplement at severance. (MSE)

College administrators have an obligation to educate faculty and staff as consumers of retirement plan services. Employers can face liability if they limit plan participation to overly restrictive investment alternatives. A task force representing employees should be appointed to make vendor selections. (MSE)

This report presents the Teacher Retirement System of Texas's (TRS's) strategic plan for teacher retirement in the state of Texas for the years 1999-2003. The mission of the TRS is to deliver retirement and related benefits authorized by law for members and their beneficiaries and to prudently invest and manage the assets held in trust for members…

AAUP's position is that the purpose of an institution's retirement plan for faculty members and administrators and its plan for their insurance benefits should be to help educators and their families withstand the financial effects of illness, old age, and death and to increase the educational effectiveness of the college and university. (MLW)

This update of a report originally issued in 1990 provides an overview of the federal tax rules as they pertain to different types of employee-benefit plans that are available to members of the National Education Association (NEA) through their employers. The report is based on the law in effect as of August 15, 1994. Section 1 examines retirement…