DuPont offered workers an early retirement plan.

The Wilmington, Del.-based chemical firm said it expects from 4,500 to 6,500 of its domestic employees to take advantage of the offer, which is being made to reduce the firm’s current work force of 157,000. The company said it expects the program to cost $125 million in the first quarter of this year but to save $225 million annually in salaries and benefits. Employees who take early retirement will be given credit for five years’ additional service in computing their pensions, to a maximum of 40 years.