VSIP Frequently Asked Questions
The University has tried to anticipate a number of questions and answers related to the VSIP. If you have a question you don't see here, please email VSIP2026@wichita.edu. Recurrent questions of a nonpersonal nature and the responses will be added to this page.
All eligible tenured faculty considering this voluntary incentive program are strongly urged to consult an attorney of their choosing and at their own expense. They also should consult with family, as well as their personal tax advisor.
- Why is the University offering the VSIP?
- How can I learn about what my incentive payment would be?
- Who is eligible for the VSIP?
- What if I change my mind after I've returned my Notice of Retirement document?
- What is the deadline for the Notice of Retirement Document to be returned?
- After I submit my Notice of Retirement Document, what do I need to do?
- Will you offer this program again in a few years?
- Where can I have specific questions addressed?
- Will this offer be affected by other cost-savings measures the University might take?
- If I participate in the 2026 VSIP, may I be rehired after Retirement?
- How was eligibility for the program determined?
- Can I participate if I am on sabbatical this year?
- I have already discussed resignation or retirement with my college and/or department leader, am I eligible for this program?
- Can I retire under this program and get a faculty job at another KBOR institution?
- Who decides whether or not I am approved for the VSIP?
- If I want to participate but am not approved, is there an appeal process?
- Will participating affect eligibility for emeritus status?
- If I'm accepted may I still use my vacation and sick leave?
- What happens if I apply and am approved, but then need to change my decision?
- If I participate in the program will I still be eligible for the regular retiree benefits like email, Heskett Center access, and WSU Library use?
- If I turn in my application for VSIP earlier, can I find out my outcome earlier?
- If I am approved to take part in the program when do I finish my teaching responsibilities?
- Can I direct the lump sum and/or my leave payouts into a tax-deferred retirement plan?
- Does the rehire policy apply to individuals seeking employment at a WSU affiliate?
- Is it advisable to discuss this possibility with one's supervisor before submitting the interest form?
- How will this affect my benefit deductions?
1. Why is the University offering the VSIP?
The University leadership is exploring a number of cost-savings measures that can help the University operate long into the future. This voluntary program is an effort to provide tenured faculty an opportunity to fast track their retirement while providing University leaders with future budget flexibility.
Tenured faculty nearing the end of their careers are often in a position to retire but remain for a variety of personal and professional reasons. The VSIP allows administrators to offer eligible employees incentives for an accelerated departure.
2. How can I learn about what my incentive payment would be?
Eligible tenured faculty who are considering applying may request information about their specific incentive payment by emailing VSIP2026@wichita.edu.
In general, each eligible employee who separates from WSU in accordance with the VSIP will receive a lump-sum cash payment of an amount equal to 50% of their FY 2026 budgeted annual base salary, minus required payroll deductions. Deductions include applicable federal and state taxes and any other legally required deductions. Base salary is defined either as (i) academic-year salary for those budgeted on a less than 12-month schedule; or (ii) fiscal-year salary for those budgeted as 12 months in the FY 2026 budget. The VSIP Incentive Payment does not include any other payments such as additional compensation, stipends, faculty payments for summer sessions, overloads or other one‐time payments; endowed distinguished professor supplements; funds held in the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement or other endowment income; research grants; or any other administrative or external funding. Neither the faculty member nor the University will make mandatory retirement contributions on the incentive payment amount and the incentive payment amount cannot be used in the calculation for voluntary retirement plan contributions.
VSIP approved participants will not be eligible for future merit increases.
3. Who is eligible for the VSIP?
The VSIP is available only to eligible WSU Tenured Faculty who are active participants in the KBOR Mandatory retirement plan or the KPERS Retirement Plan who:
- Are Tenured Faculty only (All Ranks)
- Are 60 years of age or older as of 6/20/2026;
- Have completed at least ten (10) years of service in a benefits-eligible position at WSU or a State of Kansas agency as of 6/20/2026
- Are not otherwise ineligible because the employee:
- Already has an active phased-retirement agreement or are scheduled to begin phased-retirement at a future date;
- Has already announced intention to retire or separate employment, if their department has acknowledged such request (i.e. a letter of retirement/resignation submitted and accepted by the department);
- Is on approved long-term disability or who are in the waiting period;
- Has an executed agreement of separation with an identified; projected date of separation with WSU;
- Is on sabbatical leave during the Spring 2026 semester. Employees who are approved for a partial or full-year sabbatical leave for the academic year 2026-2027 would be required to provide written documentation that they have withdrawn their sabbatical request in order to participate in the VSIP.
Eligibility will be determined by the WSU Department of Human Resources.
4. What if I change my mind after I've returned my Notice of Retirement document?
If you have returned your Notice of Retirement document, you will be required to retire on the documented retirement or separation date, regardless of whether you choose to sign the Separation Agreement document. Please consider all options carefully as deadlines are rigid and this step is binding.
You will be required to retire or separate on June 20, 2026 because the University and your department will be making a financial commitment to you, perhaps to the exclusion of another faculty member. Additionally, the University will need to begin planning to meet the academic and departmental needs prior to your actual separation date.
Potential participants are strongly urged to consult with an attorney of their choice and at their own expense. They are also encouraged to discuss this option with their family and personal tax advisor as the University cannot provide tax advice or legal advice.
5. What is the deadline for the Notice of Retirement Document to be returned?
If you are accepted for the VSIP, the Notice of Retirement document must be completed and submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Your signature is binding and indicates the date you agree to leave University employment and may not be rescinded.
6. After I submit my Notice of Retirement Document, what do I need to do?
If you returned your Notice of Retirement, you will receive by e-mail a Separation Agreement with Waiver and Release on the document. You should receive this between April 15, and April 29, 2026. If you do not receive this document and believe you should have, please contact VSIP2026@wichita.edu.
The Separation Agreement outlines the financial transaction that will take place at the time of retirement. Failure to sign this document at the time of retirement will mean you revoke the VSIP incentive payment, not that you will not retire from employment at WSU.
The Separation Agreement must be signed and notarized on or after June 20, 2026 and
submitted to
VSIP2026@wichita.edu on June 22, 2026. Employees should make every effort to notify HR by e-mail at VSIP2026@wichita.edu of delays in submitting signed and notarized Separation Agreement. Delayed receipt
of the Separation Agreement may delay VSIP Incentive Payment.
There are two ways to way to submit the Agreement:
- A signed and notarized Separation Agreement may be returned to HR by e-mail at VSIP2026@wichita.edu.
- The Separation Agreement may be returned in person at The Office of General Counsel, Morrison Hall Room 201 on June 22, 2026 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Notary services will be available at that time. If you are unable to return the Separation Agreement during the scheduled office hours, you may schedule an appointment by sending an e-mail request to: general.counsel@wichita.edu or call 316-978-6792.
7. Will you offer this program again in a few years?
We do not anticipate offering a VSIP program again in the foreseeable future as this program is designed to help address a specific challenge.
8. Where can I have specific questions addressed?
If you have questions which are not addressed in any of the VSIP documents, please email VSIP2026@wichita.edu.
If you meet eligibility criteria and are interested in the impact that retirement will have on your benefits, please refer to VSIP Benefits Information.
9. Will this offer be affected by other cost-savings measures the University might take?
Employees may be subject to other cost-savings measures the University chooses to make. The incentive payment for applicants who are accepted into the VSIP will not be affected should the University need to take additional measures such as salary reductions, furloughs or a reduction in force.
10. If I participate in the 2026 VSIP, may I be rehired after retirement?
The University is enforcing a 12-month waiting period for the rehire of participants in the VSIP at WSU. There are other important stipulations of rehire that would also apply during and after the twelve-month period, which are outlined at Working After Retirement. Additionally, retirees may not be rehired into the same position in which they retired from once they become eligible for rehire. There is no waiting period to pursue employment with one of the WSU affiliates, such as WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement.
11. How was eligibility for the program determined?
Eligibility of tenured faculty for the VSIP was based upon a number of factors, including the faculty member's length of service to the University and age as it relates to an individual's ability to take advantage of retirement benefits.
Additionally, while it is the intention of WSU to allow as many eligible tenured faculty as possible to participate in the VSIP, WSU reserves the right to limit the total number of participants in order to preserve the viability of programs and services and the integrity of financial resources. We must ensure that the college, department's, or center’s academic, operational and accreditation needs are served so that each college, department, or center can achieve its strategic and organizational mission. Ultimately, the University needs to make certain that the needs and best interests of the entire University community are served.
12. Can I participate if I am on sabbatical this year?
No. If you are on sabbatical leave during Spring 2026 you are ineligible. Employees who are approved for a partial or full-year sabbatical leave for the academic year 2026-2027 would be required to provide written documentation that they have withdrawn their sabbatical request in order to participate in the VSIP.
13. I have already discussed resignation or retirement with my college and/or department leader, am I eligible for this program?
If you’ve already submitted your intention to retire or resign and your college and/or department leader has accepted it, you would not be eligible to participate. In addition, if you are currently on or have entered into a phased-retirement agreement, you would not be eligible.
14. Can I retire under this program and get a faculty job at another KBOR institution?
Yes, other KBOR institutions or Kansas state agencies are not covered by the University's 12-month restriction from rehiring. However, there are other important factors that you may wish to consider, which are outlined at Working After Retirement.
15. Who decides whether or not I am approved for the VSIP?
Applications received from eligible employees shall be reviewed by the employee's division leader with recommendation from the appropriate dean, department, or center leadership. The decision of the division leader is final and not subject to review within the University, nor is it eligible for appeal.
16. If I want to participate but am not approved, is there an appeal process?
No. Decisions are final and not eligible for appeal.
17. Will participating affect eligibility for emeritus status?
VSIP participants are eligible for emeritus status as long as they meet the qualifications outlined in WSU's Emeritus Status Policy. Emeritus status is not automatically granted and must be initiated and recommended by the employee's department and/or senior leader for review.
18. If I'm approved may I still use my accrued leave?
Yes. Faculty can continue to use available accrued leave under the current leave policy guidelines with supervisory approval.
19. What happens if I apply and am approved, but then need to change my decision?
It depends. You can decide not to participate in the VSIP at any point in time, but once you sign and return the Notice of Retirement document (deadline April 29, 2026) your decision to retire is final. Participants cannot later revoke their decision as the University will make decisions related to finances, academic services and staffing based upon this notice.
The Separation Agreement outlines the financial and legal terms of the arrangement, including a release of claims against the University. You can always choose not to sign the Separation Agreement. If you decide not to sign the Separation Agreement, you will not receive the incentive pay but your employment with the University will be separated.
20. If I participate in the program will I still be eligible for the regular retiree benefits?
Yes. If you meet retirement eligibility (see Retirement Eligibility), you are eligible for a variety of WSU-related benefits regardless of whether or not you return the Separation Agreement. A complete list can be found at Retirement Perks.
21. If I turn in my application for VSIP earlier, can I find out my outcome earlier?
No, because the program calendar is tied to employment law and the rules regarding the length of time employees must have to apply for the VSIP. The University intends to approve as many applications as possible, although all decisions will be made in the best interest of the University community.
22. If I am approved to take part in the program when do I finish my teaching responsibilities?
Approved individuals will be expected to work through the completion of the Spring 2026 teaching responsibilities. We anticipate that this will be no later than May 22, 2026, for a 9-month faculty member. All work responsibilities should cease following the retirement date of June 20, 2026.
23. Can I direct the lump sum and/or my leave payouts into a tax-deferred retirement plan?
You can elect to direct some of your sick and/or vacation leave payout into a voluntary retirement plan. The VSIP lump sum incentive payment amount will not be included in the calculation of mandatory retirement contributions and will not be included to calculate the maximum deferral for voluntary retirement plan contributions. While the incentive payment is not eligible for deferral into a mandatory or voluntary plan, you may defer the leave payout. You may contact VSIP2026@wichita.edu to receive information about the maximum amount you can defer into the KBOR voluntary 403(b) retirement plan and/or the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan.
24. Does the rehire policy apply to individuals seeking employment at a WSU affiliate?
No, the policy only pertains to VSIP program participants seeking positions at WSU. There are other important stipulations of rehire that would also apply during and after the twelve-month period, which are outlined at Working After Retirement.
25. Is it advisable to discuss this possibility with one's supervisor before submitting the interest form?
The decision to submit an application must be an independent and voluntary decision. Supervisors have been directed to neither encourage nor prohibit employees from applying.
26. How will this affect my benefit deductions?
If you are an academic year faculty member not on salary spread who pays for summer coverage during the spring, your coverage will still end at the end of June, and any premiums that have been paid for coverage that would extend past June will be refunded through payroll once the State Employee Health Plan is notified of your planned retirement if electing to participate in the VSIP.
Who to Contact
VSIP Team
VSIP2026@wichita.edu
Published: 2/25/2026 NH