This was posted by Denise on Spike Fixation:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Season 8 Return

source BBC website
Monday, July, 22, 2002

By Aaron Johnson
VICTORIA
TIME COLONIST CRITIC
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who Stars in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" has been asked to return for season 8. Sarah Michelle
Gellar has signed a 2 year contract to return for season 8 and season 9 for a total of 28 episodes. Sarah Michelle Gellar, would not return unless she got a 15% pay increase, and be on less episodes. Joss Whedon, the creator of "Buffy
the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" has given us few hints
of the future episodes. In order to accommodate season 8 and season 9 for Sarah Michelle Gellar 28 of 44 episodes a new story arc will be created in season 7.
"Throughout season 7 we'll have Dawn discover what
fighting vampires is like" In season 8 Sarah Michelle Gellar will be on 8 of 22 episodes.

"At this time all that we can say is to expect some twists
and turns for the personalities of Dawn and Buffy." In season 9 we will put the show to rest - with Sarah Michelle Gellar being on all 22 episodes for that season - which will be ending with a bang. Expect Head to return for some special appearances in season 8 and 9.

Emma Caulfield will hopefully be returning for season
9. Amber Benson will be working on the show in one way or another to the end, and after that play a key role in the spin-off series. UPN and Fox would like push the show to it's limits, with the creation of a new spin-off of a new slayer who will be introduced in season 8. Which will not be done by Joss Whedon, as other projects has tied him down.

I'm not thrilled at the prospect of a Buffyless Buffy either. Like Denise said, it's the X-Files all over again.

As for Amber Bensen, I wondered that also. I suppose she could come back as a ghost - uh... kinda like Alex. Or like Leo on Charmed, she can come back as a White Lighter.