Variations on the traditional methods of planning for retirement are offered to college faculty, focusing on use of Teachers Insurance and Annuities Association (TIAA) and College Retirement Equities Fund (CREF) investments, and other pension options. It is concluded that with careful planning, faculty can retire with close to full preretirement…

Faculty members should consider becoming more involved in the oversight of their personal retirement funds. Both price and inflation risks are best controlled by taking a balanced or diversified approach to investing, with a portfolio based on a predetermined percentage of each type of investment. (MSE)

Four steps to retirement planning, intended to demystify retirement investment, are offered for college faculty: (1) establish diversification goals; (2) urge their institutions to offer more investment options; (3) coordinate retirement investments with other investments; and (4) take steps to guarantee against inflation. Typical age-related…

College and university employees are exposed to considerable risk in the management of their retirement funds, but there are also extraordinary opportunities for careful investors. Colleges should help employees gain knowledge of investing and ensure that a broad range of adequate investment options are available. (MSE)

An officer of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund responds to an article criticizing the funds' pension policy issues and performance. (MSE)

Faculty perceptions of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association and the College Retirement Equities Fund are noted and the funds' performance in the recent market are criticized for inflexibility and lack of leadership. (MSE)

The advantages and disadvantages of the Teachers Insurance Annuity Association (TIAA) and College Retirement Equities Fund (CREF) as investment vehicles for college faculty are examined, and guidelines for faculty to use in evaluating their investment options are offered. Some data on TIAA-CREF performance are included. (MSE)

The factors faculty should consider in selecting from two investment alternatives in estate planning--the individual retirement account and tax-sheltered annuities--are outlined: maximum annual investment, fund management, contribution timing, penalties, ownership transfers, taxes, and rollovers. Common questions are answered. (MSE)

Congress' proposed revision of the Internal Revenue Code could have a significant impact on the retirement options available to educators. Some retirement and tax shelter plans are reviewed including: Individual Retirement Accounts, Keogh plans, Section 403(b) of the Code, and retirement and estate planning. (MLW)

The benefits of the new Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association graded-benefit method and traditional level-benefit program are compared. Several possible typical situations are analyzed for both plans, showing net yearly incomes projected through retirement and considering tax rates. (MSE)