Given the right incentives, many college faculty will retire early. With mandatory retirement of tenured faculty soon to be abolished, institutions may need to revamp their pension plans and introduce voluntary retirement-incentive options. These options include phased- and full-retirement programs. (Author/MSE)

The debate about the "cashability" of faculty pension benefits raises questions about intent, fairness, and who controls what. Boards must weigh whether to allow faculty and staff to withdraw or transfer pension funds such as TIAA-CREF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund). (Author/MSE)

When possible, college presidents should be encouraged to retire undefeated rather than making the presidency a career. When circumstances indicate that the time has come for a change in administration, a thoughtful board of trustees will seek ways to make such a transition graceful. (MSE)

Faced with dwindling resources, some colleges and universities have experimented with a variety of staffing alternatives, but good staffing strategies must be realistic, flexible, and fair to all involved. (Author/MSE)

Three problems needing the attention of many college governing boards and presidents are discussed, including making early or phased retirement attractive, part-time faculty, and federal and state nondiscrimination laws. A number of colleges have created a unified program of employee relations with access to the president. (MLW)