Rare is the scientist who embarks on a career in academia purely for the money. On the other hand, money can surely be a key factor in deciding when to leave that career, especially in light of revised pension policies and retirement laws. Consider the following:
Taken together, these and other new provisions in higher education pension plans are cause for university researchers to start planning now for their retirement years. If they don't, university administrators and investment experts say, they could lose out on financial gains that might accrue under the new policies.
"Now is a good opportunity to stop, look, and listen to what's going on with pensions in higher education," says Brian Mattes, vice president of the Vanguard Group, a mutual funds company in Valley Forge, Pa. "Unfortunately, though, most people set up a pension policy and then don't look at it again for another five or ...
