As we approach membership renewal season, some of you may find yourself wondering what to do with your AIA membership if you are planning to retire in the coming months. Others may have already retired and find themselves needing to return to the workforce for one reason or another. Regardless of which situation you find yourself in, this information about AIA Emeritus Membership is important to consider.

Emeritus Membership: What is it?  
Emeritus is a type of AIA membership which recognizes retired members of the Institute, architects and associates, for their years of participation by reducing their annual membership fees to zero ($0) dollars with the promise that their architectural careers are complete and that they will no longer be working in the profession. To qualify, there are a few requirements that must be met.

I’m Ready to Retire – Can I Become an Emeritus Member?

To become an Emeritus member, you must certify that:
▪ You have resigned from your previous firm and relinquished your practice
▪ You no longer sign or seal architectural drawings
▪ You no longer market your services as an architect or consultant
▪ You will refrain from establishing a firm or business name that will imply a continuation of architectural or consulting practice

In addition to satisfying these conditions of being fully retired, you must also be 70 years of age or older and have EITHER the direct previous 15 years of membership in good standing OR have a total of 25 asynchronous years of enrollment in the AIA.

If you satisfy all of these requirements and would like to speak more on the specifics of your own case or have questions, please contact AIA NoVA Membership Director, Lorin Boswell, to schedule a more in-depth discussion to review your options.

I’m Currently an Emeritus Member, but Need to Re-Enter the Workforce – What Do I Need to Do with My Emeritus Membership? 

According to a survey by Caring.com, 1 in 3 senior citizens have returned to work after retiring, with 52% citing inflation as the primary reason they had to return to a job. With almost half of working seniors not planning on retiring in the next 5 years, many retirees are finding that their savings and investments are no longer sufficient to cover their living expenses.

So, what do you do if, after retiring and being granted Emeritus Membership, you have an unforeseen life change of some sort (e.g. stock market negatively impacts retirement fund, inflation rates spike, death of spouse/caregiver providing financial support, etc.) and you need to come out of retirement and begin working as an architect again? In these instances, Emeritus members are permitted to revert to regular membership through contact with your local chapter; that chapter will then approach National on your behalf. Your annual dues will be pro-rated for the remainder of that membership year and there will be no penalty to reapply for Emeritus consideration at a later date you determine that it is appropriate.

AIA Northern Virginia is here to assist you in learning more about either of these scenarios when you determine a change of membership status is right for you.