Alternative college retirement programs and features of a desirable retirement program are discussed. The historical, social, and economic forces that prompt institutions to consider alternative programs are identified. The present position of college faculty in terms of retirement options is also addressed. Since its inception, the Teachers…

This issue of Capital Ideas reproduces, in an abridged form, the first chapter of a new book titled, "Financial Planning Under Economic Uncertainty", in the series, "New Directions for Higher Education." The chapter reviews the macroeconomic environment at the start of the 1990s, with particular focus on the problems facing…

This issue examines inflation protection for pensions in the 1990s and beyond. It describes how providers of retirement services can offer participants opportunities to improve inflation protection through product design, services, and educational programs. It explains the use of inflation-indexed (real bonds), noting the potential role for such…

Providing teacher background on the concepts of productivity and capital goods, this document presents 3 teaching units about these ideas for different grade levels. The grade K-2 unit, "How Do They Do It?," is designed to provide students with an understanding of how physical capital goods add to productivity. Activities include a field trip to…

This issue describes the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF) life-annuity income options and traces the trends in their selection over a 17-year period, 1978-1994. Other income-related choices at or before retirement are also explored. The article emphasizes that participants in defined…

Policy standards and actions that U.S. colleges and universities can follow concerning South Africa-related investment are discussed, based on a survey of 175 colleges. Investment policy standards include: not investing in companies unless they provide information to shareholders about their business activities in South Africa, not investing in…

Part of a series of instructional packages for use in college level economics courses, this document contains nine lecture outlines on macroeconomics. The first section deals with basic macroeconomic concepts in terms of underlying microeconomic behavior, national income and product accounting, nominal and real GNP, actual and potential GNP, and…

This paper describes a method of projecting inflation-adjusted (real) retirement benefit replacement ratios for defined contribution retirement plans such as TIAA-CREF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association--College Retirement Equities Fund). The illustrated ratios are comparable to the ratios in defined benefit plans that result…

This research brief documents higher education's infrastructure needs, examines the effectiveness of existing financing vehicles and methods, and explores new approaches and methods of financing and long-term investment for buildings, equipment, and facilities. Currently, the bulk of capital funding occurs at the state level, and to a lesser…

Factors affecting financial decisions for energy conservation projects at independent colleges and universities and methods that may be used when making a financial investment decision are examined, along with sources of funding for the projects. Projects that result in the conservation of energy resources might, in a time of extreme shortages,…

The baby boom generation faces added uncertainty on their investments and perhaps lower realized rates of return on all components of their retirement savings, primarily because of their large number. Effects will be felt in the Social Security system and by pension plans and private investors. Individuals, employers, pension fund managers, and…

This series issue presents a description and assessment of the Agency for International Development (AID) funded endowment concept as conducted by a number of AID Missions and host governments in Latin American and the Caribbean. These endowments are being used to strengthen and sustain the financial base of existing or new non-governmental…

The role of the southern United States in internationalizing the U.S. economy and developments in the international field at universities and colleges are discussed. It is noted that southern firms as well as the financial system are becoming integrated internationally. Consideration is given to the business curriculum, foreign language study, and…

This issue of Keying In, the newsletter of the National Business Education Association, focuses upon teaching young adults how to develop both investment strategies and an understanding of the stock market. The first article, "Sound Investing Know-How: A Must for Today's Young Adults," describes how young adults can plan for their own…

Financing options for energy efficiency investments by colleges are outlined by the Energy Task Force of three higher education associations. It is suggested that alternative financing techniques generate a positive cash flow and allow campuses to implement conservation despite fiscal constraints. Since energy conservation saves money, the savings…