Volume VI: Human Resources Chapter F: Terms and Conditions of Employment Responsible Executive: President Responsible Office: Office of the Vice President for Human Resources Originally Issued: February 1, 2007 Most Recently Revised: November 1, 2025
ContactsStatement of PolicyReason for This PolicyIndividuals and Entities AffectedExclusionsResponsibilitiesDefinitions (defined terms are capitalized throughout the document)Related Documents, Forms and ToolsWebsite Address for This PolicyHistory and UpdatesAppendix
Office of the Vice President for Human Resources765-494-2222 | hr@purdue.edu
Fort Wayne: Human Resources260-481-6840 | hr@pfw.edu
Northwest: Human Resources219-989-2251 | hr@pnw.edu
West Lafayette: Human Resources765-494-2222 | hr@purdue.edu
Executives or Staff in High Policymaking Positions must retire by the end of the fiscal year in which the age of 65 is attained if (1) the employee has been employed in such capacity for the two-year period immediately before retirement, and (2) the employee is entitled to the Minimum Retirement Benefit Specified by Federal Law for persons who hold positions to which mandatory retirements may lawfully apply.
Executives or Staff in High Policymaking Positions who also hold a tenured faculty appointment in addition to their administrative appointment have the right to return to the faculty upon retirement from administrative office. Upon returning to the faculty, the salary of the faculty member will be adjusted per the policy on Salary of Administrative Officers Returning to the Faculty (II.C.2).
There is no mandatory retirement age for any other employees of Purdue University.
To explain the University’s policy regarding retirement for Executives or Staff in High Policymaking Positions.
All individuals employed in positions that meet the definition of Executives or Staff in High Policymaking Positions.
There are no exclusions to this policy.
University Executives and Staff in High Policymaking Positions
All defined terms are capitalized throughout the document. Refer to the central Policy Glossary for additional defined terms.
Minimum Retirement Benefit Specified by Federal Law An immediate non-forfeitable annual retirement benefit from a pension, profit-sharing, savings or deferred compensation plan, or any combination of such plans, of Purdue University, which equals in the aggregate the amount set by federal statute 29 U.S.C. § 631 (currently, at least $44,000.) Only amounts provided by the University and earnings thereon are to be included. Amounts attributable to employee contributions, contributions of prior employers and rollover contributions must be excluded.
Executives or Staff in High Policymaking PositionsAn individual, as determined from time to time by the Board of Trustees, who holds a high-level leadership or policymaking position with the University, consistent with the federal regulatory characterization of a “bona fide executive” or an “employee in a high policymaking position,” as set forth in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act’s implementing regulations, 29 C.F.R. § 1625.12. Examples include, but are not limited to positions with titles such as president, executive vice president, senior vice president, vice president, provost, chancellor, vice chancellor or dean.
Salary of Administrative Officers Returning to the Faculty Policy (II.C.2)
Information concerning retirement benefits
www.purdue.edu/vpec/policies/human-resources/vif9
November 1, 2025: Updated policy title (formerly Retirement Policy for Faculty and Staff) and definition of Executives or Staff in High Policymaking Positions.
September 15, 2012: Procedures for exceptions or deviations from policy added, and policy converted to the new template.
November 18, 2011: Policy number changed to VI.F.9 (formerly IV.3.2).
February 1, 2007: This policy supersedes Executive Memorandum No. C-14 dated January 6, 1997, and September 18, 1987.
There are no appendices to this policy.