Benefits > Retirement

Faculty/Administrative

Participation in either the state retirement plan or the optional retirement plan is mandatory. Both of these plans are non-contributory for the employee.

The Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) is a defined benefit plan. It provides for retirement at age 60 with 5 years of service or 30 years of service. There is a 5-year vesting requirement. After five years of employment, there are provisions for a disability requirement. The State pays 13.62% of earnings in your behalf.

The Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) is a defined contribution plan. Employees who select the ORP have the flexibility of investing in either one, two, or three companies. The three participating companies are TIAA-CREF, ING, and AIG/VALIC. All contributions are immediately vested, and the State pays the total retirement contribution which is 10% of gross earnings on that portion of salary covered by OASDI (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and 11% of gross earnings not covered by OASDI.

ORP Plan Companies

    TIAA
    ING
    AIG/VALIC

TCRS-ORP Comparison


Classified Staff

Participation in the state retirement plan is mandatory. This plan is non-contributory for the employee.

The Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) is a defined benefit plan. It provides for retirement at age 60 with 5 years of service or 30 years of service. There is a 5-year vesting requirement. After five years of employment, there are provisions for a disability requirement. The State pays 10.31% of earnings in your behalf.

Deferred Compensation Companies

Social Security Web Site

Retirement Estimator