2025-2026 Voluntary Retirement Program FAQs

General Information

Retirement Resources

�ϳܱ��’s  has a comprehensive list of resources to help you understand your retirement options, make informed decisions, and plan for retirement. 

2025-2026 VRP for FAS Faculty Members Information Sessions

The Faculty of Arts and Science is offering a 2025-2026 VRP for eligible FAS faculty members with a deadline to apply by November 3, 2025. Information sessions and drop-in meetings will be held to provide details about the program and answer questions. These sessions are scheduled on:

September 9, 2025 at 4:00-5:00 PM on Zoom. .
October 7, 2025 at 4:00-5:00 PM on Zoom. .

The intent is to record these sessions and to make the recording available online.

How To Use The Pension Estimates Calculator Tool Session

Representatives from the University Pension Plan (UPP) will be hosting information sessions on how to navigate the , which is a core feature of the UPP service experience, offering members convenient access to their pension information and specifically, how to use the pension estimates calculator.

September 11, 2025 at 3:00-4:00 PM on Zoom. .
September 30, 2025 at 4:00-5:00 PM on Zoom. .

Can I take my retirement allowance in two payments?

Yes. You may take your retirement allowance in two payments. You are required to indicate your intention to take two payments on the program application.

Eligibility

Academic Leave

Academic Leaves
Faculty members eligible for 6- or 12-month academic leave can request approval to take their leave before their retirement date.
Leave Ending Before December 31, 2025
Faculty members who are on an approved Academic Leave on August 20th, 2025, and whose leave concludes on or before December 31, 2025 are eligible to apply for the 2025-2026 Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP) for Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) faculty members to retire on either of the two available retirement dates.
Eligible for 6-Months Leave Starting January 1, 2026 or July 1, 2026
Faculty members eligible for a 6-month Academic Leave starting January 1, 2026 or July 1, 2026 and apply for the 2025-2026 VRP for FAS faculty members may apply for such a leave in the normal cycle by October 15, 2025.
Eligible for 12-Months Leave Starting July 1, 2026
Faculty members eligible for a 12-month Academic Leave starting July 1, 2026 and apply for the 2025-2026 VRP for FAS faculty members may request to advance the start date of their Academic Leave to January 1, 2026 and retire on December 31, 2026.
Approved Leave as of July 1, 2025
Faculty members approved for Academic Leave starting July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026 are eligible to apply for the 2025-2026 VRP for FAS faculty members to retire on either August 31, 2026 or December 31, 2026.
Approved Leave as of January 1 2026
Faculty members approved for Academic Leave starting January 1, 2026 and ending on June 30, 2026 are eligible to apply for the 2025-2026 Voluntary Retirement Program (VPR) for FAS faculty members to retire on either August 31, 2026 or December 31, 2026.
Approved Leave as of July 1, 2026
Faculty members approved for Academic Leave starting July 1, 2026 and ending on December 31, 2026 are eligible to apply for the 2025-2026 Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP) for FAS faculty members to retire on December 31, 2026.

Reduced Responsibility Appointment

Faculty members who are on an approved Reduced Responsibility Appointment, pursuant to Article 26 of the �ϳܱ��’s-QUFA Collective Agreement, on August 20, 2025 are eligible to apply for the 2025-2026 VRP for FAS faculty members but their Regular Salary for the purpose of determining the retirement incentive payment will be based on their reduced Full-Time Equivalent on November 3, 2025. 

Negotiated Leave

Faculty members who are on a Negotiated Leave on August 20, 2025, are not eligible to apply for the 2025-2026 VRP for FAS faculty.

Additional Information

Participants may indicate on their application if they are interested in office space in their home department for a period not exceeding two-years post-retirement. Allocation of space following retirement date is not guaranteed.

Participants may apply for Adjunct 1 status to enable them to complete current supervisions, co-supervise continuing students, access remaining research funds and hold research grants, should they desire. The grant of an Adjunct 1 appointment is not guaranteed. It will be within the discretion of the Dean.

Those eligible for 6- or 12-month academic leave may request the Dean’s approval to take the leave before their retirement date.

VRP or VPRP

2025-2026 VRP for FAS or VPRP: What’s the difference between these plans?

The 2025-2026 VRP for FAS faculty members is a time-limited opportunity for eligible faculty within the Faculty of Arts and Science to elect to retire on either August 31, 2026, or December 31, 2026, in return for which they will receive a lump-sum payment equivalent to one (1) year of their Regular Salary.

The Voluntary Phased Retirement Program (VPRP) is a program established through a Letter of Agreement between �ϳܱ��’s and QUFA to provide the opportunity for faculty, librarians, and archivists to plan for retirement over a three-year period in which the participant will have reduced responsibilities, and at the end of which the participant retires. Participants work one-half (1/2) to two-thirds (2/3) of their normal workload over the three-year period and receive a phased retirement supplement payment equal to 75% of their Regular Salary. 

I have been approved to begin the VPRP on July 1st 2026 but I would like to apply for the VRP instead?

Faculty members who have been approved for the VPRP but have not yet commenced their Phased Retirement Period may apply for the 2025-2026 VRP for FAS and, if approved, must retire on one of the two dates specified in the VRP.

Faculty members who have already commenced their Phased Retirement Period are not eligible to apply for the 2025-2026 VRP for FAS.

Impact

Will all retired positions be left vacant? How does the Faculty of Arts and Science / University benefit from the 2025-2026 VRP for FAS faculty?

The 2025-2026 VRP for FAS faculty members is part of the university’s plan, along with the hiring freeze announced previously and other actions being taken, to restore its operating budget to balance.

The 2025-2026 VRP for FAS faculty aims to build financial capacity to continue to advance the academic mission of the university, including faculty renewal.

By offering a retirement incentive for eligible longer-serving faculty members that hold one of the following appointments: Tenured, Tenured track, or Continuing Adjuncts within the QUFA bargaining unit, FAS and �ϳܱ��’s reduce salary costs.

Will the program be imposed on eligible faculty members?

No. The program is voluntary, meaning the decision to apply is entirely at the discretion of the eligible individual.

Will all retired positions be left vacant?

The 2025-2026 VRP for FAS faculty provides an opportunity to assess our teaching and research offerings and to also invest in faculty renewal where it best advances the academic mission.

We are addressing our current challenges to ensure the Queen's community’s continuing success in fulfilling our academic mission, and so some replacement hiring is anticipated. 

Will students be impacted?

By supporting faculty renewal in areas of growth or need, the 2025-2026 VRP for FAS faculty will advance �ϳܱ��’s academic mission and further enhance the student experience.

We will continue to refresh our course offerings and engage faculty to expand and update our programs.

After Retirement

If I retire under the 2025-2026 Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP) for FAS, am I eligible for employment or appointment in other positions at �ϳܱ��’s?

No.

An applicant who retires under the 2025-2026 Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP) for FAS will not be eligible for paid employment or re-employment in any capacity at �ϳܱ��’s University on and after their retirement date. An applicant who retires under the VRP is also ineligible to provide services to �ϳܱ��’s University as a contractor for services on and after their retirement date.

If I retire under the 2025-2026 Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP) for FAS, am I eligible for an appointment as an Adjunct 1?

Yes.

An applicant who retires under the 2025-2026 Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP) for FAS is still eligible to be considered for an unpaid Adjunct 1 appointment post-retirement. Decisions regarding Adjunct 1 appointments rest with the Dean.

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