Benefits -> Benefit Plans (Group Coverage) -> Retirement Plans

Required Retirement Plans

For benefited employees of the University System of Georgia, participation in one of the following retirement plans is mandated by the state legislature. Only those employees who become employed in a benefited position after age 60 can decline participation. Pre-tax contributions are deducted from all salary payments at a rate of 5%. Participation in the Optional Retirement Plan is limited to faculty and key administrators. All other staff are required to enroll in Teachers Retirement System of Georgia. Both plans are designed to provide retirement income along with your personal savings and/or Social Security benefits. Both plans are qualified retirement plans under section 401 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Employees eligible for both plans have 60 days from the beginning of benefited employment to make an election. Those employees who neglect to choose a plan and/or submit the proper paperwork within the 60 day election period will default to participation in TRS.

Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (401 (a) defined benefit plan ) - click to view plan summary

Optional Retirement Plan ( 401(a) defined contribution plan ) - click to view plan summary

Those employees who come to employment at KSU as an already vested member of the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia may elect to remain a contributing member of ERS rather than TRS or ORP.