Distribution of post-Ph.D. duration among RU postdocs/RAs

While there is no doubt that RU postdocs tend to fare much better than average when searching for a faculty position, figures gathered by our administration suggest that the average number of years that individuals spend at RU as postdoctoral associates/fellows has risen from 2.2 years in 1985 to 3.2 years in 2006. It is important to note, however, that these numbers do not consider postdocs that have been previously employed in other postdoc (or other) positions, nor does it include the additional years spent after promotion to the RA level. A starker picture has emerged from the recent “retirement” survey conducted by the Postdoctoral Association. The current postdoctoral/RA body at RU has an average age of 33 and is, on average, in their third year of their post-Ph.D. training. The distribution of post-Ph.D. years is shown in the accompanying chart and illustrates an aging postdoc population, with significant percentages of postdocs in their fifth or sixth years and a small fraction reaching nine or more years.

What these numbers represent to the PDA is an ever increasing amount of time where postdocs are not able to receive full retirement benefits from their employer. Currently, all RU personnel are permitted to contribute to the tax-sheltered retirement plan (60% of respondents do not make any contributions to any retirement plan). However, RU makes contributions for all employees employed for two years, with the exception of postdocs. Postdocs only become eligible for this important benefit upon reaching RA status. The one exception is postdocs employed by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which contributes 5% of their income to a retirement plan (HHMI postdoc salary scales are lower than current RU standards). The PDA feels, in light of current realities, that the lack of institutional investment in the future of postdocs is a problem that should be ameliorated. The erosion of fixed pensions (in both industry and academia) coupled with the precarious position of Social Security leaves tax-sheltered annuity plans (401(k) and 403(b)) the only viable options to financial security upon retirement. However, for such plans to be effective, contributions must be made early in one’s career. If one considers that most postdocs will not receive such retirement benefits until they have a permanent position (i.e. late 30s), this translates into a substantial loss of savings. For example, initiating contributions to retirement accounts at age 25 would lead to at least three times more funds (to be collected at age 65) compared to initiating an equal contribution at age 37! In reality though, the difference would be much higher since our simple calculation does not take into account increases in salary and retirement contributions over time.

The rationale behind the ineligibility of postdocs to access the retirement benefit is largely a result of a traditional classification of postdocs as temporary employees; it has therefore not been a priority for institutions to invest in individuals that do not stay longer than one to two years. Further, postdocs are often classified as students or trainees. Since it is clear from our survey that most postdocs currently at RU will spend at least three years in a postdoc position (most expect to be postdoc for five years), these classifications are anachronistic and need to evolve to better reflect the reality of the postdoctoral experience today. Some institutions have begun to recognize this reality and have demonstrated courage in formulating diverse but equitable methods of contributing to the financial future of their postdocs. For example, some institutions like Emory University have chosen to match postdoc contributions to retirement plans while others such as Princeton University have provided postdocs with an across-the-board supplement specifically in lieu of a retirement plan (for more details and other institutional policies see www.rockefeller.edu/pda). Finally, both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Postdoctoral Association have declared the need for plans to improve retirement plans for the postdoc community.

RU has a rich history in promoting the rights of postdocs; our President and senior levels of the administration have indicated, both on and off the record, a strong support to improve the postdoc experience. The administration is currently surveying other institutions to develop the best strategy for addressing these concerns. We strongly urge all postdocs and RAs to share any questions, comments, or suggestions on this critical subject by contacting your PDA representatives (). The results of the retirement survey in their entirety can be found at www.rockefeller.edu/pda.