An Examination of Retirement Plans across Universities in the United States

Abstract Book of the 8th International Conference on New Trends in Management, Business and Economics

Year: 2026

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An Examination of Retirement Plans across Universities in the United States

Sanjay Gupta, Colter Leasure

ABSTRACT:

This research examines faculty retirement plans across U.S. university systems in all 50-states. The study evaluates defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) plans, focusing on key data points such as contribution rates, vesting schedules, benefit formulas, and plan flexibility.
By analyzing data collected from a diverse set of institutions, the research identifies trends in retirement offerings, including the prevalence of stable DB plans versus adaptable DC plans, and assesses their implications for employee and employer obligations. Preliminary findings highlight a spectrum of retirement models, with some universities prioritizing predictable benefits through DB plans and others emphasizing flexibility via DC plans. The study explores how these variations impact faculty retention and satisfaction, offering insights into the strengths and limitations of different retirement structures.
The goal is to provide a comprehensive comparison of retirement benefits across U.S. universities located in all 50-states, contributing to discussions on enhancing faculty retirement security and for policy recommendations for higher education.

Keywords: Retirement Plans; Defined Benefit; Defined Contribution; Academic Retirement Plans, Faculty Retirement Plans