UTSA offers Voluntary Phased Retirement Faculty Incentive Program for eligible faculty

Editor’s note: The following message was sent today via email totenured faculty from Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Andrews Espy:

Dear colleagues,

UTSA is fortunate to have many tenured faculty with long-standing service to the university. The Voluntary Phased Retirement Faculty Incentive Program (VPRFIP) recognizes this service and provides valuable benefits and support to those faculty who are ready to pursue the next step in their careers or personal lives. The program provides an opportunity to transition into retirement while continuing to provide service to the University at a reduced capacity. Faculty who are eligible to participate in the current program are being notified the week of December 5 and will have the opportunity to attend information sessions to learn more about the program.

To be eligible to participate in the program, faculty members must meet the following requirements as of May 31, 2023:

• Be employed at UTSA with a 50% full-time equivalent (FTE) appointment or higher
• Be a UTSA tenured faculty member in good standing, remaining employed through the separation date
• Be employed continuously at UTSA for the preceding ten (10) years
• Meet the Rule of 80
  • Age + Years of service with a Texas state agency = 80
• Meet eligibility requirements for Texas Retirement System (TRS), Employee Retirement System (ERS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP), or UT System retiree benefits
• Must not have previously retired from any State of Texas Retirement Program
• Must not be on administrative leave
• Must not have submitted a formal, written notice of resignation or retirement that was approved in writing

The date of separation from service and relinquishment of tenured status with the University will be effective May 31, 2023.

Any faculty member who believes they should be eligible for the program but does not receive an emailed packet the week of December 5 should contact VPAA.PhasedRetire@utsa.edu.

For more information, check the VPRFIP website.