You have 90 days from your first day of employment in an ORP-eligible position to make a one-time irrevocable election of ORP in lieu of TRS. Your Human Resources Office will provide specific information for your institution’s plan.
Optional Retirement Program
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) provides statewide coordination for the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) administered by Texas public institutions of higher education.
ORP Participants
ORP is administered locally by your employing institution.
ORP Administrators
General ORP information and resources for ORP Administrators are provided on this page. If you have questions about a specific situation or need additional information, please contact the Statewide ORP Coordinator.
ORP-Related Information
“Overview of TRS and ORP” for Employees who are Eligible to Elect ORP [PDF]
Current ORP Contribution Rates [PDF]
IRS Dollar Limitations on 403(b) Contributions [PDF]
Retirement Information for ORP Participants [PDF]
Contact Info for Institutions of Higher Education in Texas
(Texas ORP is only available at institutions in “Public Institutions” category.)
State Laws and Rules
ORP Rules: Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 25
ORP Law: Texas Government Code, Chapter 830
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) for ORP: Texas Government Code, Chapter 804
Institutional Authority to Hire Retirees, Texas Education Code, Sec. 51.964
Related Links
Teacher Retirement System (TRS)
Employees Retirement System (ERS)
- Group Insurance for Active Employees
- Retiree Insurance Eligibility for Higher Education Employees
- “Ready, Set, Retire” for Higher Education Employees
- Disability Retirement Information
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Publication 571 — Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plans (403(b) Plans)
- Publication 575 — Pension and Annuity Income
- 403(b) Plan Fix-It Guide
- Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) Overview
Social Security Administration
- Information on WEP and GPO (SSA)
- Congressional Research Service Reports on WEP/GPO
Annual ORP Report Preparers and Approvers
Your Annual ORP Participation Report is due on October 1 of each year for the preceding fiscal year data.
- ORP Annual Report Online Reporting System
- Instructions for preparing Annual ORP Participation Report data [PDF]
A CBPass password is required to access the Online Reporting System.
Statewide ORP Participation Report Summary:
A breakout of the data by institution is available upon request. Please send an email to TexORP@highered.texas.gov.