Important Retirement Program information for 2025

Eligible employees of the University System of Georgia (USG) participate in one of two qualified retirement plan options: 

1. The Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) - a defined contribution plan or
2. The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) – a defined benefit plan

Some employees with former state service may be eligible and elect to continue their enrollment in the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS).

This message and the attached document includes ORP Calendar Year and TRS and ERS Fiscal Year contribution rates.

Financial Counseling and Retirement Advice one-on-one sessions

• Make 2025 the year you schedule a financial counseling appointment with CAPTRUST, USG’s approved financial advisor or with one of USG’s retirement plan providers: Corbridge Financial (formerly AIG Retirement Services), Fidelity Investments or TIAA. These financial counseling sessions are provided at no cost and can provide information on your progress towards retirement and other tips to increase your financial well-being. Scheduling information is available on the USG Retirement website at USG Financial Counseling. 

Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) Contribution Rates 

• The employee contribution rate remains at 6.0% for both FY 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) and FY 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
• The TRS employer contribution rates for the remainder of FY 2025 (through June 30, 2025) are 20.78%. 
• The employer contribution rate will increase to 21.91% for FY 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).

Please remember that employer rate changes in the TRS do not impact your benefit at retirement since your benefit is determined by a fixed formula. More information is available on the TRS website.

Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) Contribution Rates

• The 2024 ORP contribution rates will remain at 6.00% employee contribution and 9.24% employer contribution.

2025 403(b) and 457(b) retirement savings plan contribution limits are available in the document attached to this announcement.  

• Eligible employees may contribute up to $23,500 in the USG 403(b) and/or 457(b) plans. Employees may contribute up to a total of $47,000 combined in both plans. 
• If you are age 50 or older, you may contribute up to an additional $7,500 in each plan for an additional $15,000 combined in both plans, for a total of $62,000 annually. 
• If you attain age 60 – 63 after December 31, 2024, you may contribute up to an additional $3,750 ($11,250 - $7,500) maximum annual contribution.
• You may enroll in the 403(b) and 457(b) plans at any time throughout the year. Information about the plan and how to enroll is available through the USG Retirement website. 

Employees Retirement Plan (ERS), including the old plan, new plan and GSEPS Plan, including a chart showing the employer contribution for GSEPS enrolled employees saving at least 5%, are available in the document attached to this announcement. 

If you have any questions regarding ERS, please call (404) 350-6300 or go to the following link for the ERS website at http://www.ers.ga.gov.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to benefits@gcsu.edu.