Benefits Overview

Retirement

Insurance

Benefits for the New Employee

Workers' Compensation

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Benefits & Welfare
Forms for Retirement Plans & Retiree Insurance

TRS Enrollment and Forms

All employees in regular, non-temporary positions for 4.5 months or more with 50% FTE or more are required by law to participate in a retirement program on the first date of eligibility.  All eligible employees participate in the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) unless they are eligible for Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and they enroll in ORP during the first 90 days.  Employees eligible for ORP are automatically enrolled in TRS until and unless ORP is elected within 90 days from the date of eligible employment.  If an employee is not enrolled timely in TRS, this does not nullify the employee's requirement to participate, and prior contributions must be collected.  TRS forms are on the TRS website at www.trs.state.tx.us.

ORP Enrollment and Forms

The Texas Optional Retirement Program (ORP) is available for certain full-time faculty and certain staff in lieu of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS). Eligible employees are given 90 days from the date of employment to make a one-time irrevocable choice to relinquish membership in TRS and participate in ORP.  ORP is a personal retirement plan purchased by the member to which the State makes contributions. Benefits are based on the accumulated contributions and interest in the member's account.  Vesting occurs after one year and one day of participation.  Vesting entails the crediting of the State contributions to the account.

ORP/TDA Authorized Carriers  List of TWU authorized carriers for ORP.  When enrolling in the ORP, the first four forms below must accompany a copy of the contract/application form from the authorized carrier:

• ORP/TDA Purchase Agreement  Required to enroll in ORP/TDA at TWU

• ORP Prior Participation Acknowledgement  Required to verify prior ORP eligibility

• ORP Acknowledgment  Required to acknowledge eligibility for ORP

• ORP Form TRS-28  Required to notify TRS you have elected ORP

• ORP/TDA Transfer Verification Form  Required when the employee requests a transfer of ORP monies directly to another TWU authorized company

• ORP/TDA Vesting Status Form  Required to notify your ORP company of your vesting status when you have participated for 1 year and 1 day, and to notify the company when you end employment

TDA 403b & 457 Plans Enrollment and Forms
 

Whether one is enrolled in the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) or the Teacher Retirement System (TRS), most employees are eligible to place additional pre-tax contributions into a Tax Deferred Account (TDA) or a Deferred Compensation Program (457).  You may enroll in these plans at any time.  TDA forms are below.  Contact the Texa$aver plan administrator, CitiStreet, regarding 457 enrollment. 

457 Plan Info Line: 800-634-5091

ORP/TDA Authorized Carriers  List of TWU authorized carriers for TDA.  When enrolling in a TDA, these forms must accompany a copy of the contract/application form from the authorized carrier:

• ORP/TDA Purchase Agreement  Required to enroll in ORP/TDA at TWU

• Maximum Allowable Contribution Calculation (MAC/MCC)  If contributing the maximum, use this form to calculate the amount you can contribute to a TDA and/or 457 account each tax year

• ORP/TDA Transfer Verification Form  Required when the employee requests a transfer of TDA monies directly to another TWU authorized carrier

Retiree Insurance Enrollment and Forms

Employees eligible to retire and receive retiree insurance through ERS should complete these forms and return them to the OHR by the month of retirement:

• Retiree Insurance Enrollment Form  Used for employees who are retiring and enrolling in retiree insurance

• Supplemental Information Form for Retirees  Used for retirees under age 65 to name their Primary Care Physician (PCP)