In 2002, during yet another budget crisis produced in large measure by the state's tax-cutting mania, Massachusetts proposed a massive cut in the university's budget. Through an early retirement incentive, the state wanted to reduce the faculty by 10 percent. No one was prepared to fight back. Despite UMass Amherst's long history of activism, and…

This article is a revised and abbreviated version of a session that the authors presented at the 25th annual Lilly Conference on College Teaching, November 19, 2005, in Oxford, Ohio. It arose from their joint conviction that while teaching is the greatest job in the world, teachers do not need to stay in it until death do them part. Beidler and…

Eligibility for an IRA has been severely changed by the Tax Reform Act of 1986. In 1987 educators who have a retirement plan administered by their employer will face new eligibility rules. For self-employment income, a Keogh plan is an excellent way to shelter income and provide retirement income. (MLW)

A policy statement on retirement and insurance plans formulated by the American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges is presented. Retirement plans are seen to attract individuals, permit them to devote their energies to the profession, and to provide for an orderly retirement. (MLW)

The drop in the stock markets around the world focuses attention on the role of equities in retirement plans. Steps that faculty members--and specifically those in TIAA-CREF--should consider are presented. (MLW)

Important considerations for institutions wanting to establish supplementary early retirement benefits to encourage the practice are outlined. Regulations concerning pension plans, tax-sheltered annuities, and deferred compensation are reviewed. Individually negotiated early retirement supplements are not recommended. (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)

The chief executive officer of the Teachers' Insurance and Annuities Fund-College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF) discusses the current widespread concern over retirement issues in general and the ending of mandatory retirement ages for college faculty. Changes in TIAA-CREF policies and practices affecting range and coverage of retirement…

The adequacy of pension plans for persons retiring from colleges and universities is considered. Data are presented showing that people who retired in the late 1960s and early 1970s from higher education institutions at ages 65 and 68 spent most of their working lives earning less than $10,000 a year. The phenomenon of low pensions in an age of…

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)

A variety of ways in which retired college faculty benefit from social services and commercial and professional perquisites, in addition to retirement income, are discussed. It is proposed that these faculty are benefiting at the expense of their younger colleagues and should in turn participate in volunteer public service. (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 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)

Results of a survey of 15 colleges and universities switching away, at least in part, from investment in the Teachers' Insurance and Annuities Fund and College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF) for faculty retirement illustrate a trend toward increased competition and some definite patterns in fund preference. (MSE)

Although even a few years ago researchers were suggesting that faculty aging and the resulting retirements would result in a huge demand for new hires, job opportunities have become scarce for recent graduates of doctoral programs. It is important, however, that colleges be able to hire new personnel to bring new ideas into the institution. In…