All non-student employees appointed for 4 1/2 months and working a least half-time are required to participate in the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) as a condition of employment. Full-time faculty members, librarians, coaches, physicians and executive staff are eligible to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) in lieu of TRS.

Social Security Program

All employees are required to participate in the Federal Social Security program as a condition of employment. The wage bases are $106,800 for social security and unlimited for Medicare. The tax rates are 6.2% for social security and 1.45% for Medicare each for employers and employees. A valid social security card must be provided by all employees.

Teacher Retirement System (TRS)

Employees contribute 6.4% and the State contributes 6.4% of the employee's wages. Employee contributions are tax deferred. Interest is credited annually on August 31st to the member's account. Members vest after 5 years of credible service. TRS is a defined program offering death, survivor, disability, and retirement annuity benefits. Contribution rates are not guaranteed and subject to legislative change.

Optional Retirement Program (ORP)

Employee contributes 6.65% and the State contributes 6.4% of the employee's wages. Employee contributions are tax deferred. These contributions are deposited with the employee's selected ORP carrier. Participants vest after one year and one day of ORP participation. ORP is a defined contribution plan with benefits based upon individual investment decisions. The University accepts no fiduciary responsibility for the outcome of one's ORP. Contribution rates are not guaranteed and subject to legislative change.

90-Day Enrollment Deadline, Rules, and Information

403b Vendor Representatives for SHSU (Word • PDF)

Overview of TRS and ORP

Supplemental Retirement Programs (SRP) - Eligible employees may participate in either or both plans.

• Supplemental 403b Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan
  This program is voluntary and participation is in addition to the required retirement program. The program is eligible to any regular, fixed pay employee employed one half time or more or expected to work 1000 hours or more in a year (not including student employees). The SRP allows employees to accumulate investment funds through salary reductions, thereby deferring the payment of income tax on contributions until a future time. The SRP is subject to all applicable internal revenue codes. Salary reduction amounts are based upon internal revenue annual limits, catch up, and maximum contribution provisions. This program is also referred to as a Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA) and/or Tax Deferred Annuity (TDA). Contact the ORP 403b Vendor Representatives for SHSU for details and how to sign up.
  
  
• Texa$aver 457 plan through the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS)
  This program is voluntary and participation is in addition to the required retirement program. The program is eligible to any regular, fixed pay employee employed one half time or more or expected to work 1000 hours or more in a year (not including student employees). Eligible employees can enroll in the 457 Plan only– any time of the year. Higher education employees are not eligible for the 401k plan. Texa$aver is administered by Great-West Retirement Services® (Great-West) . Employees can enroll online or by telephone at any time by following these steps:
  1. View the Overview of the Texa$aver program.
  2. View the 403(b)/Texa$aver 457 comparison chart to help with your decision.
  3. Decide how much should come out of your paycheck each month, before taxes. This is called your deferral.
  4. Invest your money in a Target Date Fund. No investment experience necessary. The Texa$aver Advisor Service can help with your choices.
  5. Enroll at the Texa$aver website or call (800) 634-5091.
     Please note: Beginning September 1, 2009 you cannot access your Texa$aver accounts for a short period of time by calling the Texa$aver information line or on the website. Account access will resume at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 6, 2009. New PINs are being mailed the week of September 1. Your prior PINs will not work. For questions about the transition, see the transition bulletin or call the transition line at (866) 943-7284.

Retirement Program Forms, Plan Documents, Plan Vendors, Notices, and Reference Guides

Human Resources Main Page | Employment Listings | Sam Houston State University

Have Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? E-mail pxz004@shsu.edu