Enrollment in a retirement plan is mandatory if you work 20 hours a week (.50 FTE) for 20 weeks or longer within a fiscal year. You must enroll within the first 30 days of employment or new retirement eligibility to one of the two university mandatory retirement plan options*:
- The Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) is a defined benefit plan that provides a fixed, pre-established benefit for employees at retirement. Employees in the OC1 career stream are exempt from choosing between the two university mandatory retirement plan options and are automatically enrolled in the ASRS.
- The ABOR-sponsored Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) is a defined contribution plan in which your benefit is determined by the amount accruing in your account and depends on investment performance.
Employees have 30 days from their hire/eligibility date to select their plan, and their selection is final. Any employees who do not choose within this 30-day window will default into the ASRS.
Regardless of your retirement plan, you may schedule complimentary, virtual, or on-campus appointments with ABOR-approved investment providers Fidelity Investments or TIAA. You can also meet with CAPTRUST, an unbiased fiduciary, to help you choose a plan.
*Exemptions include UAPD, postdoctoral research associates and nonresident aliens. UAPD public safety officers participate in the State of Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS). The employer makes a matching contribution, and full vesting occurs after 10 years of participation in the program.
Mandatory Plan Choices
Quick Downloads: How to Enroll | Mandatory Retirement Plans Comparison - 2024 | Updated for 2025 Mandatory Retirement Plans Comparison - 2025
Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
ASRS is a defined benefit plan. More about ASRS
Required contribution rate:
12.27% in FY 25 (pre-tax)
12% in FY26 (pre-tax)
University match? Yes
Additional contributions? No
Waiting period: 27 weeks before contributions begin for new members
Investment choices: Managed by State of Arizona
Retirement benefit: Guaranteed monthly pension for life. The amount is based on years of service and average monthly salary. Learn more about how the pension is calculated.
Loans/Hardship withdrawals: None
Enter this Enrollment Code: 69V00040
Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
ORP is a defined contribution plan. More about ORP
Required contribution rate: Fixed at 7% (pre-tax)
University match? Yes
Additional contributions? No
Waiting period: None. Contributions begin the pay period after enrollment
Investment choices: Managed by employee
Retirement benefit: The amount that accrues in the employee’s account. This depends on the market performance of chosen investments.
Loans/Hardship withdrawals: None
Fidelity Investments, Plan ID: 67444
TIAA, Access Code: AZQ192
Compensation/Contribution Limits for Mandatory Plans
| ASRS/PSPRS Annual Compensation Limits | ORP Annual Contribution Limits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contributions are suspended once an employee has earned the following amount in one year: | Employee and employer can each contribute up to the following amounts: | ||||
| Fiscal year | If hired & enrolled by June 30, 1996 | If hired & enrolled after June 30, 1996 | Calendar year | If hired & enrolled by June 30, 1996 | If hired & enrolled after June 30, 1996 |
| FY25 | $505,000 | $345,000 | 2024 | $34,500 | $24,150 |
| FY26 | $520,000 | $350,000 | 2025 | $35,000 | $24,500 |