Retirement and Post-Retirement

Retirement resources

When a faculty member notifies a chair that he/she plans to retire, it is helpful for the chair to communicate to the faculty member about resources that will be provided by the University for the retired faculty member.

The faculty handbook specifies, "Employees who retire with at least ten years of University service may retain University ID cards which can be updated to reflect retiree status. Identification cards provide access to the following:

• Free 'general' parking permit
• Free use of recreational facilities
• Use of University libraries
• University store discount"
• Retain a University of Memphis email account

Post retirement contract

At the time of retirement, and after the faculty member has already submitted the notice of retirement, the faculty member may wish to request a post retirement contract to continue teaching. Granting a post retirement contract is not automatic. A decision to offer one is based upon the quality of teaching and the needs of the department. Such requests must be made to the chair; if the chair is supportive of a post retirement contract, he/she will convey the request to the dean; if the dean is supportive, the request will be conveyed to the provost. The provost makes the final decision. Post retirement contracts can be active up to four years; the faculty member may withdraw from the contract, but the department cannot cancel the contract once it has been approved. Faculty members have options on their teaching schedules—to be agreed upon with the chair—to teach two courses each semester or four during one year. The contract that is signed by the faculty member, dean, and provost will specify the conditions of the post retirement contract. Faculty members requesting a post retirement contract need to understand that the department will select the courses to be taught and the schedule.

The maximum salary that may be earned in post-retirement is 40% of the academic year base salary at the time of retirement. After the post-retirement contract ends, the faculty member may continue teaching as a part-time instructor at the part-time instruction rate of pay.