Retirement Eligibility

The objective of the College’s Retiree Program is to provide a program which recognizes longevity of service and provides important benefits for eligible employees. Official retirees from Ithaca College are eligible for Ithaca College retiree benefits. There are two ways to become an official retiree:

  1. Complete at least 20 years of benefits-eligible service at the College and be at least age 55, or 
  2. Complete at least 10 years of benefits-eligible service at the College and be at least age 60

To find out if you qualify as an official retiree, please contact a member if the ICHR Benefits Team.  

How Length of Service is Calculated for Retirement Eligibility

Benefits-eligible employees who work 100% full-time are credited with one year of eligible service each fiscal year. Employees who work less than 100% full-time have their eligible service prorated based on their percent of full-time each fiscal year. For example, if an employee works 75% full-time from June 1 – May 31, they would be credited with 9 months of eligible service (12 months X 75% = 9 months or .75 years). If an employee is granted an official leave of absence without pay at any time during their employment with Ithaca College, the calculation to determine length of service will be adjusted and they will not receive credit for the time they are officially on a leave of absence without pay.