Kalamazoo College’s strategic plan includes investing in human capital, meaning that the College is committed to using its resources such as time, money, and effort to enhance the working environment for our most precious resources – our people. One way of investing in our people is to increase base compensation.
Longevity Increases support the strategic plan while providing tangible recognition to individuals who dedicate their careers to Kalamazoo College. Details of the plan are below, including frequently asked questions.
Description
Longevity Increases are an additional increase to a person’s base compensation after completing years of service at Kalamazoo College in 5-year increments. The first four years include a phased-in approach from 60% to 100% of the full longevity increase amounts.
The salaried and hourly Longevity Increase rates.
| Years of Service | 2023 Increase | 2024 Increase | 2025 Increase | 2026 Increase | 2027+ Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | $300 $0.14 | $350 $0.17 | $400 $0.19 | $450 $0.22 | $500 $0.24 |
| 10 | $600 $0.29 | $700 $0.34 | $800 $0.38 | $900 $0.43 | $1,000 $0.48 |
| 15 | $900 $0.43 | $1,050 $0.50 | $1,200 $0.58 | $1,350 $0.65 | $1,500 $0.72 |
| 20 | $1,200 $0.58 | $1,400 $0.67 | $1,600 $0.77 | $1,800 $0.87 | $2,000 $0.96 |
| 25 | $1,500 $0.72 | $1,750 $0.84 | $2,000 $0.96 | $2,250 $1.08 | $2,500 $1.20 |
| 30 | $1,800 $0.87 | $2,100 $1.01 | $2,400 $1.15 | $2,700 $1.30 | $3,000 $1.44 |
| 35 | $2,100 $1.01 | $2,450 $1.18 | $2,800 $1.35 | $3,150 $1.51 | $3,500 $1.68 |
| 40 | $2,400 $1.15 | $2,800 $1.35 | $3,200 $1.54 | $3,600 $1.73 | $4,000 $1.92 |
| 45 | $2,700 $1.30 | $3,150 $1.51 | $3,600 $1.73 | $4,050 $1.95 | $4,500 $2.16 |
Eligibility
Benefits-eligible faculty and staff are eligible for Longevity Increases. Former benefits-eligible employees of the College who are rehired into a benefits-eligible position are given service credit in addition to time in their current employment. Adjusted service dates are calculated through our payroll system and can also be determined by downloading the Service Date calculator (xls.) Pre-tenure faculty will receive their first increase in conjunction with the midpoint review.
Process
Longevity Increases are added to employees’ base compensation and paid on the first paycheck in October beginning with the first cohort in October 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Implementation Questions
How can I confirm when I will see my Longevity Increases and the amounts?
There are a couple of ways by which you can confirm when your Longevity Increase will be.
- Check out the chart below to see when each cohort will receive the Longevity Increase.
- In Spring 2023, Human Resources will be sending personalized messages to each person to confirm when and how much their first Longevity Increase will be.
| Hire/Service Date Year | 2023* | 2024* | 2025* | 2026* | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2018 | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019 | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020 | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017, 2022 | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes |
If I am eligible for the 10-year increase in 2027, do I also get an additional $500 for when I completed five years of service in 2022?
Unfortunately not. The first cohort of Longevity Increases is in 2023 and is forward-looking. However, as an example, colleagues who are eligible in 2023 will also be eligible in 2028 and each 5-year increment thereafter.
If I am eligible for the Longevity Increase before 2027, why do I receive a reduced amount?
Longevity Increases recognizes milestone anniversaries in 5-year increments. Consequently, it will take a full cycle, or 5 years, for every eligible colleague to receive their first Longevity Increase. Meanwhile, annual base salary increases are expected to continue.
A phased-in approach is adopted to bring as much parity as possible between Longevity Increase cohorts, rather than causing additional disparity between each cohort by adding annual increases to full Longevity Increases.
Those who get the increase earlier will have a reduced amount. Those who get the increase later will have an increased amount. When coupled with projected annual increases, the phased-in approach results in very similar increases when the cohorts are compared.
How significant are the differences after the phased-in approach to the Longevity Increase implementation?
| Implementation Year | Years 5 and 4 Differences Monthly | Years 5 and 4 Differences Weekly | Years 5 and 4 Differences Annually |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023: $300 Year 5 | $14 | $3 | $162 |
| 2023: $600 Year 10 | $27 | $6 | $325 |
| 2023: $900 Year 15 | $41 | $9 | $487 |
| 2023: $1200 Year 20 | $54 | $12 | $649 |
| 2023: $1500 Year 25 | $68 | $16 | $812 |
| 2024: $350 Year 5 | $10 | $2 | $118 |
| 2024: $700 Year 10 | $20 | $5 | $235 |
| 2024: $1050 Year 15 | $29 | $7 | $353 |
| 2024: $1400 Year 20 | $39 | $9 | $470 |
| 2024: $1750 Year 25 | $49 | $11 | $588 |
| 2025: $400 Year 5 | $6 | $1 | $76 |
| 2025: $800 Year 10 | $13 | $3 | $151 |
| 2025: $1200 Year 15 | $19 | $4 | $227 |
| 2025: $1600 Year 20 | $25 | $6 | $303 |
| 2025: $2000 Year 25 | $32 | $7 | $378 |
| 2026: $450 Year 5 | $3 | $1 | $37 |
| 2026: $900 Year 10 | $6 | $1 | $73 |
| 2026: $1350 Year 15 | $9 | $2 | $110 |
| 2026: $1800 Year 20 | $12 | $3 | $146 |
| 2026: $2250 Year 25 | $15 | $4 | $183 |
Contact Renee Boelcke for the supporting details
General Questions
Is there an easy way to remember the Longevity Increase cohorts?
Yes! One needs to look at their service anniversary year. For example, colleagues who were hired in years that end in three or eight will see their Longevity Increases in years ending in three (3) and eight (8.) Colleagues who were hired in years that end in four (4) or nine (9) will see their Longevity Increases in years ending in four (4) and nine (9.) The groups or cohorts are three and eight, four and nine, five and zero, six and one, and seven and two.
Or check out the chart below.
- Find the year in which you were hired, or your service date year if you had a break in service.
- Then follow the row over until the first green yes.
- Follow the column up to the year in which you will see your Longevity Increase.
Example: If a full-time person were hired in 2013, their Longevity Increases would be $600 for 10 years in 2023 and $1,500 for 15 years in 2028.
| Hired/Service Date Year | 2023* | 2024* | 2025* | 2026* | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2018 | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019 | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020 | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017, 2022 | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes |
How does the Longevity Increase and an annual increase work together in my Longevity Increase years?
They are added together. Here are a couple of examples.
- An bi-weekly “annual” increase of $0.48 would be added to a Longevity Increase of $0.144 for a total increase of $0.62 in that increase year.
- A monthly “annual” increase of $1,000 would be added to a Longevity Increase of $300 for a total increase of $1,300 in that increase year.
I am in a part-time, benefits-eligible position. Will my part-time status impact the amount that is added to my base pay?
The increase amounts are prorated based on full-time hours. Positions that are 12-months per year and 40 hours per year are considered full-time.
Example 1: A position that is 30 hours per week (75% of 40 hours) would receive 75% of the increase.
Example 2: A position that is 11 months per year (92% of 12 months) would receive 92% of the increase.
What will the Longevity Increases be starting in 2027?
| Years of Service | Longevity Increase |
|---|---|
| 5 | $500 |
| 10 | $1,000 |
| 15 | $1,500 |
| 20 | $2,000 |
| 25 | $2,500 |
| 30 | $3,000 |
| 35 | $3,500 |
| 40 | $4,000 |
| 45 | $4,500 |
| 50 | $5,000 |
Is there an end date to this plan?
The College is committed to this plan and also recognizes that conditions might evolve over time that could cause changes. For instance, the College could determine that the amounts, conditions, or processes need to adjust and reserves the right to make changes.
I plan on leaving or retiring from K before my Longevity Increase. How will my departure/retirement impact a Longevity Increase?
Longevity Increases are added to the base, meaning that one needs to be actively employed in order to receive the increase. While you are leaving Kalamazoo College before a longevity increase can be added to your pay, please know that you would retain your prior service time if you were to return to Kalamazoo College in an eligible position.
Who can I contact with questions?
Questions can be directed to Renee Boelcke at renee.boelcke@kzoo.edu.