Do employees at public colleges and universities have better retirement benefits than K-12 employees? This is the central question in the new report "Choice and Quality Among Retirement Plans for Educators." To answer this question, we evaluate the quality of higher education and K-12 retirement plans using five key variables: (1)…

Despite the importance of retirement savings, many individuals retire with lack of adequate retirement savings. While calculating retirement savings needs was found to enhance retirement savings, little is known about what underlies this enhancement. Applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB), we developed a model in which psychological factors…

Given the overarching ramifications that financial literacy plays in the modern economy, this paper contends that a renewed emphasis on financial literacy is central to individual, family and communal economic security. New responsibilities and opportunities given to consumers, such as retirement planning, have increased the need for more…

The near-collapse of the American financial system has led to a search for its causes and ways to prevent it from happening again. Many political leaders blame at least some of the sub-prime mortgage crisis on mistakes caused by financially "illiterate" consumers and propose to solve that problem with mandatory classes in personal finance.…

Retirement benefits offered by Ontario's 17 universities to instructional and non-instructional staff are reported. Pension plans are summarized, and each institution's policy and practices are also presented separately. Information about plans includes type of plan, eligibility, member and university contributions, and benefits and standard…

A study was done of the savings patterns and financial resources of households receiving teacher's retirement insurance benefits. For the survey a mail questionnaire was sent in fall 1988 to a statistically drawn sample of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund annuitants. Over 900 questionnaires were completed…

This paper presents a method for higher education faculty and staff to assess pension plan objectives by determining a retirement income replacement ratio to maintain the salary-based preretirement standard of living. The paper describes the RETIRE Project which researches income replacement using the federal government's annual "Consumer…

This guidebook addresses retirement planning for midlife women. Section 1 presents the woman an opportunity to assess herself today in terms of the roles she plays in various aspects of her life and in her relationships with others. It asks her to consider some of her plans, dreams, and things she would like to do in an ideal retirement situation.…

Information on pension plans in 16 Ontario universities is presented in terms of the type of plan, eligibility, member contributions, university contributions, and benefits. There are eight defined benefit plans: seven money purchase plans with minimum guarantees, and one money purchase plan with no guarantees. Almost all of the plans are eligible…

This guidebook raises important issues for older workers to think about in planning for retirement. Sections of the book explore such areas as the following: changing roles and relationships; health and fitness; meaningful use of time, with a sampler of activities from which one may choose; working options, including a brief description of a…

This single person's retirement guide begins with an introduction that addresses the challenges of single living, the high dividends that planning pays, and the importance of attitude. Section II explores the changing roles and relationships in one's life, including aging parents, adult children, and a personal support network. Section III focuses…

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)

Figures are offered on the expense charges and cashability feature of the supplemental retirement annuities (SRA's) of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) retirement program. (LBH)

With health insurance costs soaring for both current employees and retirees, governing boards of institutions of higher education must contain costs. Possible strategies include shifting some expenses from employer to employee, establishing flexible-benefit or cafeteria plans, using managed care to reduce unnecessary medical procedures,…

This issue examines inflation protection for pensions in the 1990s and beyond. It describes how providers of retirement services can offer participants opportunities to improve inflation protection through product design, services, and educational programs. It explains the use of inflation-indexed (real bonds), noting the potential role for such…