This page pertains to the Phased Retirement Program in place prior to July 01, 2017.
Eligibility
Faculty, professional and scientific staff, and merit system staff members employed by the Board of Regents for a period of at least 15 years and who have attained the age of 57, are eligible to negotiate with their department a schedule for phasing into retirement. APPROVAL: All requests for admission to the institution's Phased Retirement Program must receive approval from the appropriate administrative offices of the institution by which they are employed. The program does not create a right for the employee and the request to enter the program may not be approved if it is not in the best interest of the institution.
Schedule of Phasing
A staff member may reduce to no less than a half-time appointment either directly or via a stepped schedule. At no time during the phasing period may an employee hold greater than a 65 percent appointment. In the fifth year following the initiation of phased retirement, the staff member's appointment will be no greater than fifty percent. The maximum phasing period will be five years with full retirement required at the end of the specified phasing period. Once phased retirement is initiated, employees may not return to a full-time appointment.
Phased Retirement Period
Phasing period is limited to five years.
Compensation
During the first four years of the phasing period, the salary received will reflect the reduced responsibilities plus an additional ten percent of the budgeted salary, had the person worked full time. In the fifth year following the initiation of phased retirement, the staff member's appointment will be no greater than fifty percent and the salary will be proportional to the budgeted salary had the person worked full time.
Benefits
During the phased retirement period, institution and staff member contributions will continue for life insurance, health and dental insurance, and disability insurance at the same levels which would have prevailed had the staff member continued a regular appointment. University retirement contributions to TIAA will be based on the salary which would have been obtained had the individual continued a regular appointment. As mandated by law, FICA contributions will be based on the staff member's actual salary during the partial or pre-retirement period. The same is true for retirement contributions for those participating in the Iowa Public Employee Retirement System or Federal Civil Service System. Accrual of vacation and sick leave will be based on percentage of appointment.
An individual participating in this program will be allowed access to their retirement funds to assist in supplementing the loss of income that occurs when the person reduces their appointment down to 50% through 65% time, the maximum percentage permitted by the program.