Given the right incentives, many college faculty will retire early. With mandatory retirement of tenured faculty soon to be abolished, institutions may need to revamp their pension plans and introduce voluntary retirement-incentive options. These options include phased- and full-retirement programs. (Author/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)

Policy variables that can help maintain tenure ratios at reasonable levels are listed: increase faculty selectivity; award instant tenure sparingly; minimize credit for service elsewhere; lengthen probationary period; keep some on contract basis; appoint some outside tenure track; evaluate the tenured; separate decisions on promotion and tenure;…

Faced with dwindling resources, some colleges and universities have experimented with a variety of staffing alternatives, but good staffing strategies must be realistic, flexible, and fair to all involved. (Author/MSE)