Retirement

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) is a defined benefit plan, which means your monthly income in retirement is based on a formula, not market performance. Both you and UTA contribute a set percentage of your salary to the TRS trust fund, which is professionally managed to provide guaranteed lifetime benefits.

Your benefit is calculated using your years of service credit, the average of your highest five annual salaries, and a multiplier of 2.3%.

This ensures a stable, predictable retirement income for life.

Employees who work 20 hours per week for 4½ months or longer are automatically enrolled in TRS. Participation begins your first day in a benefits-eligible position and continues as long as you remain in one.

TRS is funded by both employee and employer contributions:

• Employee: 8.25% of eligible salary
• UTA: 8.25% of eligible salary

Your contributions are made pre-tax and begin earning interest once reported to TRS. You become vested after five years of service credit, qualifying for lifetime benefits once you meet retirement eligibility.

You may retire with full benefits at age 65 with five years of service, or when you meet the Rule of 80 (your age plus years of service equal 80).
Early retirement is available at age 55 with at least five years, though benefits are permanently reduced.

Before retiring, request a benefit estimate from TRS six to twelve months in advance, and contact UTA People Services to review retiree insurance eligibility and timing.

TRS offers more than just retirement income. Your membership includes valuable protections and options that support you and your family throughout your career and beyond.

Disability Retirement

If a serious illness or injury prevents you from working, you may qualify for disability retirement benefits. Eligibility depends on your years of service and the nature of your disability, and coverage begins from your first day in a TRS-eligible position.

Survivor Benefits

If you pass away while an active TRS member or retiree, your beneficiary may be eligible for a monthly survivor annuity or lump-sum payment, depending on your years of service and benefit elections. Keeping your beneficiary information up to date through MyTRS ensures your loved ones are protected.

Service Credit Purchase Options

TRS allows members to purchase or reinstate service credit for prior eligible employment, military service, certain types of leave, or withdrawn TRS accounts.
Purchasing additional credit can increase your years of service and raise your future retirement benefit.

Refunds of Contributions

If you leave employment before becoming vested, you may request a refund of your employee contributions plus interest. However, this ends your membership and forfeits any future retirement benefits or service credit.

The Optional Retirement Program (ORP) is a defined contribution plan designed for eligible faculty and professional staff who prefer to manage their own retirement investments. Instead of receiving a fixed pension, your retirement income is based on the total contributions you and UTA make, plus any investment earnings.

Each month, both you and UTA contribute a percentage of your salary to your ORP account. You decide how to invest those funds through one or more UT System–approved providers, and your account balance grows tax-deferred over time.

Unlike TRS, there is no guaranteed monthly benefit—your total retirement income depends on how much you save, how long you participate, and how your chosen investments perform.

ORP eligibility is determined strictly by your job classification and appointment, not by your years of service or salary.

You are eligible if you are:

• Appointed on a full-time basis for four and one-half months or longer, and
• Hired into a position designated as ORP-eligible by UT System policy.

If you are eligible, you will receive notice at the time of hire and have 90 calendar days to elect ORP instead of TRS.

This is a one-time, irrevocable decision, so employees are encouraged to review the plan details carefully and consult a financial representative before making their election.

ORP is funded by both employee and employer contributions:

• Employee contribution: 6.65% of eligible salary
• UTA contribution: 8.5% of eligible salary

You are immediately vested in your own contributions. Employer contributions vest after one year of participation, meaning you must remain in an ORP-eligible position for at least 12 consecutive months to retain the employer match.

Once vested, your account is fully portable and can be rolled into another qualified plan if you leave UTA or move to another ORP-eligible Texas institution. Contributions and earnings are tax-deferred until withdrawn.

Participants select from UT System–approved investment vendors who offer diverse mutual fund, annuity, and target-date portfolio options.

Current providers include Fidelity Investments, TIAA, Corebridge (AIG), Voya, and Lincoln Financial Group.

Each provider offers personalized retirement counseling, educational webinars, and digital tools to help you choose investments that match your goals and risk tolerance.

STEP 1 - Review Your Options

Compare TRS and ORP to understand the differences between a defined benefit and defined contribution plan.

STEP 2 - Select and ORP Provider

Choose one or more UT System–approved investment vendors (Fidelity, TIAA, Corebridge, Voya, or Lincoln) and complete the appropriate provider application(s) to open an account(s) with that company.

STEP 3 - Log in to Retirement Manager

Log In to UTRetirement Manager and click on the ORP Enroll/Change page

STEP 4 - Complete Your Election Form

Submit your official election form (TRS-28 Notice to Elect) to People Services within your 90-day window and mail, or email the form to UTA People Services at askhr@uta.edu.

STEP 5 - Verify Enrollment

• Before your first ORP deduction, mail all completed provider applications to the designated address on those applications. 
• Once processed, your ORP contribution will begin on your eligibility date or the first of the following month. View your paystub to confirm the deduction. If you do not see the deduction, please contact payroll@uta.edu immediately.

• This election is irrevocable—once you choose ORP, you cannot return to TRS.
• If you do not submit your form within the 90-day election window, you will remain permanently in TRS.
• Only employees in designated ORP-eligible positions are offered the election option.
• Your selected ORP provider must be UT System–approved to ensure proper plan participation.