Although benefits can be a sizable part of an educator's total compensation, there has been little scholarly inquiry into the state pension plans for educators. Despite the fact that all defined benefit plans rely on the same basic formula for calculating annual pensions, they vary across states in the multiplier used, the method for calculating…

The management of the cost of post-retirement health benefits (PRHBs) for retirees is a major concern to American corporations because of a declining commitment to the Medicare program by the federal government, new proposed accounting rules that will change the financial treatment of PRHBs, and a growing retiree population. This study was…

Early retirement programs do not necessarily result in the greatest savings. To ensure a successful program, employers must consider all factors that influence an employee's decision to participate. (JOW)

The Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 provides vesting requirements for private pension plans but not transfer of vested monies to the new employer when an employee changes jobs. Unless problems of increased employer costs and possible employee benefit losses are resolved, a mandatory portable pension concept is unlikely. (MF)

A preliminary investigation was done of the effect of the elimination of mandatory retirement of tenured faculty in higher education and the estimated costs of providing faculty benefits and inducements in a future without mandatory retirement. The study developed a classification system of possible benefit packages including the following: (1)…

Successful phased retirement plans enable senior faculty to ease into retirement, relieve financial pressures on participating institutions, and permit upward mobility for junior faculty. Responses from 62 of the 72 land-grant institutions in the United States and Puerto Rico reveal that 11 had implemented plans that enable individuals between a…

Retirement options available to institutions are outlined, including early retirement incentives, phased retirement, facilitating consulting opportunities, travel and outplacement services, maintaining community involvement, annuities, and pensions. Suggestions are made for increasing cost-effectiveness and fitting the options to local…