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Tenure-track Faculty Phased Retirement is an option that allows an eligible tenure-track faculty member to reduce duties and full-time equivalent workload, or FTE, as part of a planned transition into retirement. The phased retirement period may not exceed two years. Duties, expectations, and compensation are reduced in proportion to the tenure-track faculty member’s FTE reduction.

The program is structured over two years. Participants must retire from the university at the end of the two-year transition plan, although they may choose to retire earlier.

No. Applying is voluntary, and the decision to pursue phased retirement is at the sole discretion of the tenure-track faculty member. The specific reduction in duties and full-time equivalent (FTE) requires mutual agreement between the tenure-track faculty member and Dean.

No. Phased retirement requires mutual agreement among the tenure-track faculty member, the Dean, and the Provost or the Provost’s designee regarding duties and full-time equivalent (FTE) for each of the two years.

No. Tenure-track faculty members with an approved phased retirement arrangement remain members of the bargaining unit and are not considered retired during the phased retirement period.

Full-time, nine-month or twelve-month tenure-track faculty members are eligible if they would otherwise be eligible to retire under their applicable retirement plan, with either full or reduced benefits, when the phased retirement period begins.

Unreduced benefit:

• 32 years of service at any age, or
• Age 65 with 5 year of service

Reduced benefits:

• 27 years of service at any age, or
• Age 60 with 5 years of service 

See the for more information.

The tenure-track faculty member must be eligible to retire, with full or reduced benefits, when the phased retirement period begins on Jan. 1, 2027.

Yes. Eligibility includes full-time tenure-track faculty members on either nine-month or twelve-month appointments, provided they meet the applicable retirement eligibility requirement.

You should contact STRS directly at:

216-520-1711

1-888-313-4009

See the for a list of physical locations.

The workload reduction will result from a reduction in workload (i.e., teaching, service, and/or professional activities). Duties, expectations, and compensation will be reduced by an amount proportionate to the reduction in the tenure-track faculty member’s full-time equivalent (FTE).

Yes. A tenure-track faculty member’s teaching load may not fall below one course per semester during phased retirement.

The tenure-track faculty member, Dean, and Provost or the Provost’s designee must mutually agree upon the specific duties and full-time equivalent (FTE) for each of the two years. After receiving the notice of interest, the Dean begins discussions with the Chair/Director and the tenure-track faculty member regarding those details.

No. The approved reduced full-time equivalent (FTE) must remain the same for the entire calendar year, excluding summer assignments. The first-year FTE and second-year FTE may differ, but each must remain fixed throughout that year.

Tenure-track faculty members are strongly encouraged to consult with their Dean and Chair/Director to reach a mutual understanding regarding the terms of their workload reductions for both Year 1 and Year 2 of the program.

Faculty members are also strongly encouraged to seek independent guidance from their personal financial, legal, and tax advisors, as well as consult with STRS Ohio, to fully understand the implications of participating in the program.

In addition, faculty members must formally notify the university of their intent to participate by submitting the designated electronic application.

The notice of interest must be submitted by Dec. 7, 2026.

Upon receiving the notice, the Dean will immediately begin discussions with the Chair/Director and tenure-track faculty member concerning the specific reduction in duties and FTE for each year of phased retirement. We also encourage the tenure-track faculty member to reach out to the Dean and Chair/Director to ensure that all deadlines will be met.

The Dean will notify the tenure-track faculty member no later than Dec. 18, 2026. The tenure-track faculty member must reach agreement on the reduction in duties and full-time equivalent (FTE) no later than Dec. 23, 2026. Failure to reach an agreement means the process ends and the tenure-track faculty member may apply again in a subsequent year.

The agreement is memorialized in an application to enroll in the transition plan. The tenure-track faculty member signs and submits the application to the Dean. The Dean reviews the application and either accepts the application or requests some changes. If the Dean requests changes, then the application is sent back to the tenure-track faculty member for their review.

If the parties do not reach an agreement, the process ends. The tenure-track faculty member may apply again in a subsequent year.

The Dean will notify the tenure-track faculty member through the electronic system on or before Dec. 18, 2026, regarding the tenure-track faculty member’s original request. If modifications are needed, then the tenure-track faculty member will have until Dec. 23, 2026, to indicate they are accepting the modified plan.

Note that the agreement is for a two-year period and cannot be altered by either the tenure-track faculty member or the Dean once the agreement is reached.

Yes, but only for a limited period. After the university accepts the plan, the tenure-track faculty member will be given a release and waiver to sign. Once the release and waiver is signed, the tenure-faculty member has a seven-day revocation period. If the tenure-track faculty member wishes to revoke their agreement to participate in the plan, they must send an email to Academic Personnel at academic_personnel@kent.edu. Once that period expires, the agreement cannot be revoked.

Yes. Once the tenure-track faculty member has begun the first year of phased retirement, the individual’s decision to retire is final.

Yes. A tenure-track faculty member may choose to retire at any point during the two-year phased retirement period.

The tenure-track faculty member will be fully separated from the university after completing the second year of phased retirement.

During the first year, the tenure-track faculty member’s appointment must be between 75 percent and 50 percent full-time equivalent (FTE) . The approved FTE must remain unchanged for the entire first year.

Compensation is reduced to the same percentage as the tenure-track faculty member’s approved full-time equivalent (FTE). The calculation is based on the tenure-track faculty member’s base annual contract salary from the year immediately preceding the first year of phased retirement.

During the second year, the tenure-track faculty member’s appointment must be between 50 percent and 25 percent of the full-time equivalent (FTE). The approved FTE must remain unchanged for the entire second year.

Second-year compensation is reduced to the same percentage as the approved second-year full-time equivalent (FTE). The second year, the calculation is based on the tenure-track faculty member’s base annual contract salary from the year preceding the first year of phased retirement.

No. The compensation in both years is calculated using the base annual contract salary from the year before the first year of phased retirement and the approved full-time equivalent (FTE) for each year.

Yes. During both years, a participating tenure-track faculty member remains eligible for full-time medical benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.

The tenure-track faculty member’s reduced salary will be used to determine the medical benefit contribution rate in each year of phased retirement.

The tenure-track faculty member remains eligible for full-time medical benefits and the reduced salary will be used to determine the medical benefit contribution rate. Refer to the 2027 contribution table (PDF) determine what your contribution rate would be for the calendar year of 2027.

Yes. During phased retirement, the tenure-track faculty member remains eligible for a tuition fee waiver at the same level as a full-time faculty member.

Yes, as applicable. Sick and vacation leave will be prorated based on the tenure-track faculty member’s FTE for each year.

Yes. Tenure-track faculty members in phased retirement may continue to use all available leave benefits that would otherwise apply to them, except for Faculty Professional Improvement Leave (FPIL).

Yes. Life insurance will be based on the tenure-track faculty member’s reduced salary for each year of phased retirement.

Yes. Life insurance can be purchased through our vendor. The rate will be determined based on a variety of factors that includes personal health and demographic factors. The Benefits Department can be contacted at benefits@kent.edu or 330-672-3107 for more information about this.

No. Tenure-track faculty members in phased retirement are exempt from merit awards.

No. A tenure-track faculty member in phased retirement will not count as a continuing faculty member for purposes of salary increases provided under the agreement.

No. Tenure-track faculty members are not eligible for a Faculty Professional Improvement Leave during the phased retirement period.