Faculty Retirement

Faculty Early Retirement Program 

FERP allows tenured faculty to be granted a service retirement and continue to be employed full-time for one semester in the academic year or to be employed half-time both semesters in the academic year for a maximum of five years.  

Tenured instructional faculty, librarians and counselors who have reached the age of 55 and have decided to retire, but have not yet done so, are eligible to apply for FERP. 

See Article 29 of the CFA-CSU Agreement for more information.

Pre-Retirement Reduction in Time Base 

The PRTB program allows eligible faculty to work less than full-time while earning full-time credit toward retirement for up to five years prior to retirement. This program affords faculty a transition period whereby they move from full-time employment to full-time retirement. 

Eligibility for PRTB 

Tenured faculty who are at least 55 years of age and not yet 65 years of age at the time they request entry into PRTB (or not yet 64 years of age if a member of California State Teachers' Retirement System) are eligible if they satisfy the following conditions:  

• The faculty member has worked full-time in the CSU for at least ten (10) years AND
• They have been employed full-time continuously for the five (5) years immediately preceding entry into the PRTB program.  

Emeriti (Emerita/Emeritus/Emeritx) 

At the time of full service retirement the title Emeriti (Emerita/Emeritus/Emeritx) shall be conferred on every member of the faculty who has served the University (SFSU) for at least ten years in .6 time or higher employment, fifteen years at .4 or higher, or the aggregated equivalent. Breaks in service do not disqualify a faculty member from attaining Emeriti (Emerita/Emeritus/Emeritx) status. In cases of disability retirement, the Provost may confer Emeriti (Emerita/Emeritus/Emeritx) status. Emeriti (Emerita/Emeritus/Emeritx) status may be conferred posthumously. Emeriti (Emerita/Emeritus/Emeritx) status may be denied or revoked by the President for cause and emeriti faculty must be in good standing. 

In the Spring semester, the Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development will notify the colleges/library of the deadline to submit names of faculty who wish to be considered for Emerita/Emeritus status. Emerita/Emeritus status is granted annually at the end of the spring semester. 

Privileges of Emeriti (Emerita/Emeritus/Emeritx) status: 

The privileges of emeritus faculty members are listed in detail in San Francisco State University policy Emerita/Emeritus Status S25-147. The following is excerpted from that document: 

In recognition and appreciation of the professional, scholarly and creative contributions of the faculty before retirement, and an acknowledgment that these activities do not end with retirement, it is the policy of San Francisco State University to honor its distinguished retired faculty with Emerita/Emeritus status, to encourage their continued association with the University and to provide, where possible, for the continued support of their scholarly and creative interests. 

Basic privileges of Emeriti (Emerita/Emeritus/Emeritx) status shall include: 

• An Emeriti (Emerita/Emeritus/Emeritx) faculty identification card
• Library and technology privileges (as available), including but not limited to email. Technology privileges are provided based on available budget, resources and University compliance requirements (typically around digital security).
• Use of any special faculty facilities on campus and in the library
• Use of University recreational facilities
• Free admission to University athletic and cultural events
• Invitations to participate in all public ceremonies of the University
• Other privileges designated by the President 

Emeriti (Emerita/Emeritus/Emeritx) faculty are encouraged to participate in the academic life of their department or the library and to continue their own research, scholarly, teaching, and creative activities. If in either of these capacities they continue to work at the University, an attempt will be made to offer them the following extended privileges: 

• Free parking, if available after all active faculty and staff members have had their parking needs to be met. For further information, contact the Office of Parking and Transportation.
• Right to administer grants, contracts or other research projects funded by resources outside the California State University (CSU) system. 

Learn more about our Faculty Awards. 

University Retirement Association 

The Retirement Association aims to help you stay in touch with the friends you made while working at SFSU, keep you informed about campus changes and retiree activism and concerns, provide social events and learning opportunities for its members and help support the campus and its employees. We welcome all retired employees of the University — Emeritus and retired faculty, staff, administrators and their partners or spouses. As a member of this association, staff and administrators are also welcome to join the CSU-Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association.