UBC’s Voluntary Retirement Program for eligible faculty and staff

As we continue to navigate the evolving needs of our institution and workforce to support UBC’s long-term future, the university is launching a limited-time Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP) on May 20, 2025 for eligible employees, in order to support organizational planning. 

About the Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP)
The VRP is designed to offer eligible university employees (faculty and staff) the opportunity to consider voluntary retirement with financial benefits, retirement planning support, and resources to assist in their transition.
The VRP is optional and aligns with UBC’s commitment to support the career stages of all our employees. It is not intended to be combined with other retirement options that are already available to faculty and staff.

Eligibility
The VRP is open to employees who, as of April 1, 2025, have at least 10 years of credited service as defined by one or both of UBC’s Pension Plans and whose combined age and years of service total 90 years or more. The program will be rolled out as follows:

• For eligible faculty, the program will be rolled out university-wide.
• For eligible staff, the program will be rolled out at the discretion of a Dean or Vice-President, who can place limits and requirement for approval, based on operational and financial needs.

If employees are eligible for the VRP, they will receive a notification by email on May 20, 2025 informing them of the program details, including a link to the VRP website.

It will be important that eligible employees understand that, once their application has been acknowledged or approved by UBC, it cannot be changed and constitutes an irrevocable decision to retire.

Exclusions
The following employee groups/types are NOT eligible for the program:

• Staff who have given notice to retire or have elected another retirement option offered by the university.
• Faculty who have provided notice to retire or who elected a retirement option before January 1, 2025.
• Employees working an approved reduced appointment under university policy HR9.
• Grant-funded employees.
• Staff employees in the Faculties and Administrative Units who are choosing not to participate in the program.
• Senior leaders (Associate Vice-Presidents, Vice-Presidents, and Deans).
• Faculty in ranks other than tenure/track faculty members, Librarians, Program Directors, and Lecturers.
• Employees who do not meet the VRP eligibility criteria, or if their unit is not participating in the staff program based on operational and financial considerations, will not receive an email to apply.

More information about the program, eligibility requirements, financial options, and FAQs will be available on the VRP webpage which will be available to leaders from May 16, 2025.

Next Steps
Eligible employees who want to avail of VRP need to apply between May 20 and July 18, 2025. Instructions on how to do this will be available on the website.

Action required by leaders
As a leader, we encourage you to:

• Familiarize yourself with the information on the VRP webpage to understand the program.
• Be prepared to respond to questions from faculty and staff in your area.
• Review applications from eligible employees in collaboration with your Dean, Vice-President, or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and acknowledge (for faculty) or approve (for staff).
• If you are a unit head, director, or manager, we encourage you to reach out to your Deans, Vice-Presidents, or local HR leaders if you have questions specific to your areas, or to Central HR or email vrp.hr@ubc.ca if you need general support.

Your thoughtful engagement will help ensure a smooth experience for employees and contribute to UBC's broader workforce planning efforts. Thank you for your support of this program and for your continued leadership
 

Adam Charania
Vice-President, Human Resources

Gage Averill
Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver

Lesley Cormack
Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, UBC Okanagan