Support Page Content
Sacramento State Early Exit Program 2025
Program Launch Date: 05/07/2025
Website Updated: 05/09/2025
As part of its efforts to reduce the structural budget deficit, Sacramento State is implementing an EARLY EXIT PROGRAM ("EEP"), intended to encourage eligible faculty ("employees") to voluntarily separate with severance. This is a one-time, non-precedent setting program. Eligible employees interested in participating in the EEP should carefully read the TERMS AND CONDITIONS and SAMPLE APPLICATION. Participation in the EEP requires execution of separation agreements, which include a general release of all claims.
Process Timeline
- Employee reviews application with their appropriate administrator. Appropriate administrator ensures the employee meets the eligibility requirements. See sample application for reference.
- Employee and their appropriate administrator determine a separation date no later than June 30, 2025 based on business continuity needs.
- Employee submits completed application via Adobe Sign workflow (see EEP Application Process section).
- Human Resources sends confirmation of eligibility and First Separation Agreement and Release for signature via Adobe Sign. See sample first agreement for reference.
- Employee has 14 calendar days to review and sign the First Separation Agreement and Release.
- After Employee signs the First Separation Agreement and Release, the employee is eligible for 80% of the calculated severance benefit.
- Employee receives copy of the First Separation Agreement and Release with all signatures for their records via Adobe Acrobat Sign.
- Human Resources sends employee the Final Separation Agreement and Release for signature within 14 calendar days before their last day of employment with Sacramento State. See sample final agreement for reference.
- The employee must sign this agreement on their last day of employment.
- By signing the Final Agreement and Release, the employee is eligible for the final 20% of the calculated severance benefit.
EEP Application Process
- Access the form using the link to the EEP APPLICATION Adobe Acrobat Sign workflow.
- Refer to the following instructions, if needed.
- IMPORTANT: Use the @csus.edu format when adding appropriate administrator or vice president email address for routing/signatures. Lookup published email addresses using the campus directory.
- When the workflow opens, employees enter email addresses for their Appropriate Administrator and VP/Dean. Then, select “Send” to open the application form.
- Employee completes the application. The “tab” key helps navigate to each field.
- Employee signs the application by selecting “Click here to sign” in the Employee Signature field. Then, select the “Click to Sign” blue button to finish signing.
- After employee signs, the form will be sent to the Appropriate Administrator and VP/Dean for signature, and then submitted to Human Resources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
NOTE: FAQs may be updated periodically, as necessary. Please check back to review and read the FAQs as well as the EEP TERMS AND CONDITIONS before contacting Human Resources with questions. General questions about the EEP can be directed to sac-eep@csus.edu.
What is the Early Exit Program (EEP)?
The EEP is a program designed to create a financial incentive for eligible faculty to separate with severance.
What are the Terms and Conditions of the EEP?
Please see the EEP TERMS AND CONDITIONS for full details.
If I am in the FERP Program, can I participate in the EEP?
No. Faculty currently FERPing are not eligible. Faculty with FERP applications pending, are also ineligible, unless they rescind their request to FERP prior to the EEP application deadline.
Is there a specific time I need to separate?
Any time before or on June 30, 2025. The separation date is a collaborative decision and selected to ensure business continuity.
Is this plan or the deadline negotiable?
This timeline is designed to provide an appropriate planning opportunity to both employees and management and must be applied consistently to ensure that everyone is treated fairly.
If I am eligible for the program, do I have to take it?
No, this is a strictly voluntary program.
If I participate in the EEP and do not retire, can I be rehired by Sacramento State at a later date?
Yes, there is nothing prohibiting an employee from re-applying to another position at Sacramento State.
Will this program be offered in the future?
This is a one-time program but may be extended at the discretion of the University.
How do I apply to participate in the Early Exit Program?
For consideration to participate in the Early Exit Program, applications must be completed and submitted by the application deadline.
How can I see the content of the First and Final separation agreements?
Open the links to the First separation agreement and Final separation agreements to review.
Do I need to sign the First Separation Agreement and Release?
This agreement must be signed to participate in the EEP. Participants will receive 80% of their calculated maximum severance benefit in exchange for signing this agreement.
Do I need to sign the Final Separation Agreement and Release?
To receive the final 20% of the calculated severance amount, EEP participants are required to sign the Final Release on their last day of employment.
Does my supervisor have to approve my participation in this program?
Supervisor approval is required in order to ensure a business continuity plan is in place before your departure.
What is the severance amount?
Please see the “Severance” section of the TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
When and how will the severance be paid?
The severance will be paid in a lump sum, net of taxes, within thirty-one (31) calendar days after the separation date.
How is the severance lump sum amount taxed?
The lump sum will be taxed based on a bonus tax rate of 22% for federal withholdings and at least 6.6% for state withholdings. Medicare and social security tax will also be withheld.
Does the severance amount count toward CalPERS retirement?
No. Severance pay is not considered compensation earnable for purposes of calculating CalPERS retirement benefits.
If I participate in the EEP, may I still work for the campus as a retired annuitant?
CalPERS retirees may return to work with a CalPERS employer in a designated retired annuitant position. There is no guarantee of any future employment as a retired annuitant or past salary, and all retired annuitant employment will be subject to post retirement employment regulations as outlined on the CalPERS Retired Annuitant web page.
Is retirement a condition of the EEP?
Eligibility to participate does not include a requirement to retire. However, employees who elect to retire should carefully review CalPERS retirement eligibility and vesting requirements, submission timelines, and retiree benefits eligibility criteria.
- Employees who retire from the CSU and meet the criteria listed below will be eligible to enroll in CalPERS retiree medical benefits, CSU retiree dental benefits and CSU voluntary retiree vision benefits if:
- The eligibility criteria for retirement is met; and
- The individual is deemed eligible for medical, dental and vision benefits while an active employee; and
- Retirement occurs within 120 days of separation.
- Employees hired by the CSU and who become members of CalPERS on or after the dates below, must have 10 years of service credit with CalPERS to be eligible to enroll in CalPERS retiree medical benefits and CSU retiree dental benefits.
- July 1, 2017 – Faculty (Unit 3)
May I receive additional service credit, as with a Golden Handshake Incentive?
No. The Golden Handshake retirement incentive is administered and directed by the Governor’s Office. Sacramento State does not have the authority to make service credit decisions. The EEP only provides a financial incentive.
What will my CalPERS retirement package look like?
Sign into your MyCalPERS account and use the Retirement Estimate Calculator tool to determine an estimate of your retirement allowance. Follow the CalPERS step-by-step How to Create a Retirement Estimate on MyCalPERS guide to get your estimate.
Will I be able to retain my email after retirement?
Sacramento State retirees are entitled to continued access to their SacLink email under their current SacLink account name. Employees applying for the EEP and seeking to retire should contact the Benefits Office to obtain a “Notice of Intent to Retire” form to notify Sacramento State of their intention to retire.