Your Next Steps
Below are a few key considerations to keep in mind when making your decision on your preferred retirement program.
- If you have been eligible for ORP previously in your career with any Texas public agency, but chose to stay in TRS, you will not be able to elect ORP instead of TRS. Similarly, if you previously selected ORP as your retirement program in the state of Texas, you cannot choose TRS. If you previously worked with any Texas public agency, please contact the Benefits Office at 940-369-7650.
- You will be enrolled in TRS as of the first day of your employment. If you choose not to participate in the ORP, you will remain enrolled in the TRS.
- If you elect the Optional Retirement Program, you will choose and manage your investments. If you choose to stay in TRS, your investments are managed for you.
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If you elect the Optional Retirement Program, the original
TRS-28 form and
Optional Retirement Program Acknowledgement Form
below must be completed, signed, and returned during your election period to the Benefits Office:
Business Service Center
HR Benefits
1112 Dallas Drive, STE #4000
Denton, Texas 76205
If you don’t submit the TRS‐28 form and the Optional Retirement Program Acknowledgement Form by the end of your election period, your election will be revoked and you will automatically stay in the TRS for the remainder of your benefit‐eligible career in Texas public higher education.
When you have decided on your preferred retirement program, any required action for you to take is described below. Remember if you would like to enroll in the Optional Retirement Program and do not complete the below next steps during your election period, you will remain enrolled in the Teacher Retirement System.
There isn’t any required action at this time. You may consider participating in the TSA Plan.
To opt out of the TRS and enroll and participate in the ORP, follow the below next steps:
- Print the TRS-28 form and the Optional Retirement Program Acknowledgement Form.
- Complete and sign the required forms. Please note the TRS-28 Form must also be notarized.
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Return the required forms to the Benefits Office at the address below during your election period:
Business Service Center
HR Benefits
1112 Dallas Drive, STE #4200
Denton, Texas 76205 - After your forms have been processed, you will receive an email with further instructions on how to choose your ORP Retirement Provider.