Can a tenure-track faculty member take a Faculty Professional Improvement Leave while in phased retirement?
No. Tenure-track faculty members are not eligible for a Faculty Professional Improvement Leave during the phased retirement period.
Will phased-retirement tenure-track faculty be included in contractual salary increases?
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.
Are tenure-track faculty members in phased retirement eligible for merit awards?
No. Tenure-track faculty members in phased retirement are exempt from merit awards.
Will tenure-track faculty members in phased retirement continue to participate in reviews and evaluations?
No. Tenure-track faculty members in phased retirement are exempt from all reviews and evaluation processes.
Can additional life insurance be purchased?
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.
Will life insurance continue?
Yes. Life insurance will be based on the tenure-track faculty members reduced salary for each year of phased retirement.
Will the tenure-track faculty member remain eligible for other applicable leaves?
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).
Will sick and vacation leave continue?
Yes, as applicable. Sick and vacation leave will be prorated based on the tenure-track faculty members FTE for each year.
Will the tenure-track faculty member remain eligible for the tuition fee waiver?
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.
Does full-time medical benefits mean that employee contributions remain unchanged?
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.
