AsianFin -- Warren Buffett plans to be present at next year’s Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting but will not participate in the traditional question-and-answer session, marking a significant shift following his recent surprise retirement as CEO.

Greg Abel, Buffett’s designated successor and now CEO of Berkshire, told the Omaha World-Herald that the annual meeting will still be held during the first weekend of May and will include a Q&A segment. However, Buffett—who will remain chairman of the board—will join other directors in the audience rather than take the stage to field questions from shareholders.