Briefly outlines the reasons some school districts are withdrawing from the social security system. Also notes some advantages of the social security system over alternative plans. (IRT)

The social security commissioner argues that the system's varied protection--against loss of earnings due to death, disability, and even inflation--makes it a better deal than most private plans. (Author/IRT)

Shows the estimated comparisons between benefits five employees of the Dekalb (Georgia) school system would receive under social security and under the alternative plan the district has created. (IRT)

For school executives, annuities have become the preferred retirement vehicle, because other private-sector investments (some deferred compensation and profit-sharing plans) are closed to public employees. This article explains Internal Revenue Code sections 403 (b) and 457 and 1986 Tax Reform Act provisions related to tax-sheltered annuity plans.…

In negotiating a superintendent's contract, caution and expert legal counsel are as important for the school board as for the superintendent. Offering a well-rounded package providing both annuities and insurance policies can help boards attract the best superintendent candidates. The most serious negotiation issue for superintendents involves…

Some superintendents and school board members tout early retirement plans as a way to reduce school personnel costs and offer attractive employee benefit at the same time. However, such plans are not always a sound idea. Potential benefits depend on a district's financial outlook, its staffing structure, and its goals for students. (MLH)

Tax-sheltered annuities for school employees are benefits to employees who authorize the district to deduct a specified amount from their paychecks and forward that amount to the accounts selected. Article surveys recent legislative changes that enable school employees to make better use of their tax-sheltered annuities. (MLF)

Governors and legislators are looking for ways to help offset budget deficits, and the public pension funds that cover working and retired school employees are tempting targets. Discusses problems in a number of states, pros and cons of federal regulation, calculating retirement benefits, and how pension funds are controlled. (MLF)

Although estimating how many school districts offered early retirement plans during 1990-91 is difficult, the practice is fairly widespread and is generally initiated by states, not local school districts. Early retirement options (an alternative to massive layoffs) were offered teachers and administrators in New York City, Washington, D.C.,…

In Solon v. Gray Community School Corporation (Indiana)," the school district offered incentives for early retirement to teachers who retired with a minimum age of 58 and a maximum age of 61. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the core of the district court's ruling that the arrangement discriminated against older workers. (MLF)