The Optional Retirement Program (ORP) is available as an alternative to the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) for full-time faculty, librarians, and certain administrators and professionals employed by Texas public institutions of higher education. ORP-eligible employees have 90 days from their first day of employment in an ORP-eligible position to make a one-time irrevocable election of ORP in lieu of TRS.

If you are a new ORP-eligible employee, please read the Overview (provided by your employer and also below) as soon as possible. It contains information you need to know before your 90-day ORP election period expires. Contact your employer for a list of authorized companies, ORP election forms, and additional required paperwork.

The following documents provide basic and historical information about the Optional Retirement Program for administrators, participants, company representatives, and other interested parties.

Overview of TRS and ORP
Coordinating Board's ORP Rules, Chapter 25
ORP Statute, Chapter 830, Texas Government Code
ORP Participation Report Summary
ORP Eligibility Chart
ORP Employer Contribution Rate History 

IRS Dollar Limitations on 403(b) Contributions
Selected ORP Legislation
ORP-related Attorney General's Opinions

For general information about ORP, please contact the Statewide Coordinator for ORP at (512) 427-6191 or by e-mail at texorp@thecb.state.tx.us.

For specific information about ORP at an institution of higher education, please contact the institution’s Human Resources Office, Benefits Office, or Business Office. (Location of ORP Administrator varies by institution.)

For ORP Administrators and Annual Report Preparers:

FY12 ORP report form--07/31/2012

FY12 ORP report form -- PART B ONLY -- 07/31/2012

updated 07/31/2012

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