Determinants of Faculty Early Retirement Decisions

Abstract

_. This paper uses data from a random national sample offaculty, ages 56 and older and examines factors influencing faculty members' early retirement decisions. A variety offactors, such as age, uncapping of the retire1nent age, other sources ofincome, early retirement incentives, social security income, preference for leisure, teaching effectiveness, presence of spouse, and types of degree offered by institutions have a significant influence on faculty members' early decisions to retire. An understanding of these factors and their effects on faculty early retirement decisions can help administrators and other officials in their human resource planning process. (J26,J22)