Staff Phased Retirement

Eligible staff employees may choose to reduce their job duties and scheduled hours prior to retirement, to make a gradual transition before their official retirement date. This process is a mutual agreement between the staff employee and their department.

The staff phased retirement program offers staff members and non-tenured or non-tenured track academic professionals with ten or more years of credited service an opportunity to ease into retirement. This is a negotiated transition program for a limited-term appointment that must be at least six (6) months but not more than three (3) years in length, and is a mutual agreement between the department and the employee.

At the time phased retirement begins, a staff member surrenders their current job, and takes on a benefits-eligible role negotiated with supervisors for the term of the phased agreement. An approved plan in a written signed agreement for this limited-term appointment that supports an individual's program must be developed before the phased retirement is approved. The phased appointment will only be for 20 hours per week or the exempt equivalent effort, which is the minimum required to retain benefits eligibility. Participants who accept additional employment at Cornell during the staff phased retirement agreement term, will receive retirement plan contributions on all positions. The full benefits rate will be charged for all positions.

Eligibility

• Endowed and Contract College staff and non-tenured and non-tenured track academic professionals
• Age 55 or older
• Ten completed years of credited service or greater
• Currently working at least 30 hours per week (equivalent exempt effort)
• County Cooperative Extension Association employees are not eligible