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Professors and university staff

10 moments for professors and university staff.

Name the moment, not the job title. Each one has a hook line to open a post or video with, its ringtone (the letter, bill or date people react to before they think) and what's at stake.

  1. Starting on the tenure track

    “New faculty? You have to pick a retirement plan in your first month, and often can't switch later.”
    Ringtone
    The benefits orientation
    What's at stake
    Defined benefit versus defined contribution choices can be irrevocable.
  2. Two retirement plans at once

    “Your university offers a 403(b) and a 457(b). Using both can double what you save.”
    Ringtone
    The plan enrollment
    What's at stake
    Combined limits let faculty save far more.
  3. Earning tenure

    “You got tenure. Job security is the best time to lock in a savings plan.”
    Ringtone
    The tenure letter
    What's at stake
    Stable income allows long-term savings and housing decisions.
  4. Sabbatical year

    “Sabbatical at half pay? Plan the year before you plan the research.”
    Ringtone
    The sabbatical approval
    What's at stake
    Reduced pay and travel costs need budgeting.
  5. Consulting and book income

    “Your book advance and consulting fees are self-employment income. You can open a solo 401(k) too.”
    Ringtone
    The 1099 from a publisher
    What's at stake
    Side income has tax and retirement plan opportunities.
  6. Moving to another university

    “Moving to another university? Check vesting and plan rollovers before you accept.”
    Ringtone
    An offer from another school
    What's at stake
    Retirement plan portability and vesting differ.
  7. Tuition benefits for your kids

    “Your university offers tuition benefits for your kids. That changes how much you save for college.”
    Ringtone
    Your child's college search
    What's at stake
    Tuition exchange and remission programs change college planning.
  8. Phased retirement offer

    “Your university offers phased retirement. It's a negotiation with tradeoffs.”
    Ringtone
    The phased retirement letter
    What's at stake
    Reduced appointments affect pay, benefits and retirement plan.
  9. Early retirement incentive

    “An early retirement buyout offer arrived. Compare it to what staying three more years is worth.”
    Ringtone
    The buyout letter
    What's at stake
    Incentive offers have deadlines and permanent consequences.
  10. Retiree health from the university

    “Does your university provide retiree health coverage? It changes when you can retire.”
    Ringtone
    The retiree benefits handbook
    What's at stake
    Health coverage before Medicare is often the deciding factor.

Make a video about one See advisors for professors and university staff

General education, not financial advice. Check rules and figures against current law before you publish.