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.
- 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:
12.29% in FY 24 (pre-tax)
12.27% in FY 25 (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 |
| FY24 | $490,000 | $330,000 | 2023 | $33,000 | $23,100 |
| FY25 | $505,000 | $345,000 | 2024 | $34,500 | $24,150 |