Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Eligibility

• TRS is available to faculty and staff in benefits-eligible positions. Participation is mandatory for all non-exempt (hourly) employees.

How it Works 

TRS is considered a 'defined benefit'. Your retirement income is guaranteed for life and is calculated based on:

• Years of Service × 2% Multiplier × Highest 2-Year Average Salary

Key Plan Details

• Vesting: You are fully vested after 10 years of service.
• Sick Leave: Unused sick leave can be converted into additional service credit at retirement.
• Investment Risk: None. Your retirement benefit is guaranteed regardless of market performance.
• Contributions (Effective 2025): 
  • Employee: 6.00% of salary
  • Â鶹ÊÓƵ Contribution: 20.78% of salary

Resources

Eligibility

The ORP is available to exempt (salaried) staff and faculty members.

Note: The decision to choose ORP over TRS is irrevocable. Once you elect this plan, you cannot switch back to TRS at a later date.

How it Works 

The ORP is a 401(k)-style plan where your retirement income is based on the performance of your chosen investments. You manage your own account through a designated provider (TIAA, Fidelity, or Corebridge).

Key Plan Details

• Vesting: You are immediately vested. You own 100% of both your contributions and Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s contributions from day one.
• Investment Risk: Retirement income is linked to market performance; you assume the investment risk for your account.
• Contributions (Effective 2025): 
  • Employee: 6.00% of salary
  • Â鶹ÊÓƵ Contribution: 9.24% of salary

Resources

Learning about the key differences and more so you can decide on which plan may work better for you.

Eligibility

Participation in these plans is voluntary and available to all benefits-eligible employees. These are supplemental plans, meaning they are in addition to and not a replacement for your mandatory TRS or ORP participation.

How it Works (Tax-Deferred Savings)

These plans allow you to save extra for retirement on a tax-deferred basis, reducing your current taxable income while building a larger nest egg.

Key Plan Details

• Vesting: You are immediately vested in 100% of your contributions.
• No Employer Match: Â鶹ÊÓƵ does not provide matching contributions for supplemental plans; they are funded entirely by your voluntary salary deferrals.
• Investment Risk: Retirement income depends on the performance of your chosen investment funds; you assume the investment risk.
• Flexibility: You can choose to participate in one or both plans, up to the annual IRS contribution limits.

The GDCP is a mandatory retirement plan for temporary, seasonal, and part-time employees of the USG who are not eligible for TRS or ORP. The GDCP is administered by the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia (ERSGA).

Plan Overview

• Eligibility: Mandatory for most non-benefited employees.
• Exclusions: Full-time students, independent contractors, and active or retired members of ERS or TRS are typically exempt.
• Contributions: You contribute 7.5% of your gross salary via automatic payroll deduction.
• Interest: Interest is credited monthly to your account based on investment performance, minus administrative expenses.

Accessing Funds

• Refunds: If you leave Â鶹ÊÓƵ, you can request a refund of your contributions plus interest. Accounts usually transition to "Inactive" status 2–6 weeks after your termination date, at which point you can apply online on the 
• Retirement: You may opt for periodic payments if you have at least $50,000 in your account, have terminated state employment, and are at least 65 years old.
• Death Benefit: In the event of your death, a lump-sum payment of your account balance is made to your designated beneficiary or estate.

Resource

Get answers to your financial questions and develop an action plan to reach your goals.

Your retirement benefits include one-on-one consultations with your retirement plan provider, as well as events and webinars where you can learn even more.

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Learn about when you retire and the necessary steps you’ll need to take for a smooth retirement with . We recommend that you also review the information for Leaving Â鶹ÊÓƵ.

Resources

For more information or support,  with us to meet about benefits.