Retirement Planning
Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) Update
The Idaho State Board of Education Retirement Plan Committee has recently completed a multi-year, comprehensive review of the Idaho Optional Retirement Plan, (ORP). As a result of that plan review, it has been recommended and approved at the December 13, 2023 State Board of Education meeting, that Fidelity will become the sole provider of the administrative services for the ORP effective December, 2024. More information will be provided by the Office of the State Board of Education as we transition into the new year, along with important dates, next steps, and other relevant details that will be communicated prior to the effective date of this transition in December of 2024. For more information, please visit Fidelity. Additionally, it is anticipated that all faculty and staff enrolled in the ORP will receive a direct communication coordinated by the Idaho State Board of Education regarding this change after the holidays.
Please contact benefits@isu.edu or 208-282-3106 if you have additional questions.
Retirement Forms
- 403(b)-457(b) Salary Reduction Agreement Form
- Idaho Optional Retirement Plan
- PERSI Beneficiary Designation Form
- PERSI Request to contribute Rollover Funds to the Choice 401k
- PERSI Request for Base Plan Account Withdrawal Form - upon separation
- PERSI Choice Plan 401(k) Enrollment Form/Salary Reduction Agreement
- PERSI Benefits at a Glance
- TIAA On-Line Enrollment Form, ORP, 403b, and 457b plans
- Corebridge On-Line Enrollment Form, ORP, 403b, and 457b plans
Retirement Plans
Employees are eligible for retirement benefits if they are working at least 20 hours per week and are expected to work at least five consecutive months. All benefit eligible classified employees are required to enroll in the Public Retirement System of Idaho, (PERSI) . All benefit eligible non-classified employees and faculty are required to enroll in the Optional Retirement Plan, electing Corebridge* or TIAA as their retirement vendor. Non-classified employees and faculty who have previously vested with PERSI may elect to remain with PERSI rather than enrolling in the ORP.
Optional Retirement Plan (Corebridge* or TIAA)
The State Board of Education has selected Corebridge* and TIAA-CREF as the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) vendors available to Idaho State University faculty and non-classified staff. This is a mandatory retirement program for benefited faculty and non-classified staff who have not previously vested with PERSI.
The Idaho ORP is a defined contribution plan where both the employer and employee make contributions to the individual employee's account. Employees are immediately vested when enrolled in the ORP. The ORP plan document is administered by the Idaho State Board of Education.
Further information regarding ORP vendors can be found by contacting the Human Resources Benefits Specialist at (208) 282-2517.
*Corebridge Financial formerly known as VALIC/AIG Retirement
Public Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI)
Membership is mandatory for all benefit eligible classified employees, including temporary employees on benefits, who are expected to work at least 20 hours per week for five or more consecutive months.
The PERSI Base Plan is a defined benefit plan. The lifetime allowance received at retirement is based on a formula and is not directly dependent on the amount of money contributed to PERSI. Employees are vested when they have acquired 60 months of service. For further details, please refer to the PERSI handbook available online at: Public Retirement System of Idaho, (PERSI).
Supplemental Retirement Programs
All ISU benefit eligible employees are eligible to participate in supplemental retirement plans. Employees enrolled in PERSI as their regular retirement plan, may also enroll in the 403(b), 401(k), and the 457(b) plans. Employees enrolled in the ORP as their regular retirement plan may enroll in the 403(b) and the 457(b) plans.
Supplemental Retirement Investment Options
The 403(b) is a retirement savings plan, which can only be offered by public school systems and other tax-exempt organizations. It is a tax-sheltered annuity where the employee may invest in annuities or mutual funds. It is very similar to qualified plans such as 401(k). It is entirely employee funded; Idaho State University does not contribute to this plan. Payroll deductions can be pre-tax or after-tax (Corebridge* and TIAA only). Benefit eligible employees may enroll at any time.
*Corebridge Financial formerly known as VALIC/AIG Retirement
The employee may participate with the following approved 403(b) vendors:
457(b): Idaho State University also offers employees an opportunity to enroll in an IRC Section 457(b) plan, commonly known as deferred compensation. Benefit eligible employees are able to contribute pre-tax dollars to this plan through payroll deduction to the following companies:
401(k)-PERSI Choice Plan: The 401(k) Choice Plan is a defined contribution plan, meaning that the amount you receive at retirement is based on your contributions and earnings in the plan. It is only available to active PERSI members. The Choice Plan contains your gain sharing distributions, any voluntary contributions you make, and the earnings on those funds. Payroll deductions are pre-tax. For further details, please refer to the PERSI handbook available online at: PERSI Choice Plan 401(k) Enrollment Form/Salary Reduction Agreement.
For Enrollment, contact Human Resources at (208) 282-2517
Retiree Medical Insurance
Eligibility requirements can be found at Office of Group Insurance website.
Monthly Medical Premiums
Click on Premium Rates to find information on Retiree Group Insurance monthly rates.
If you are with PERSI, after all sick leave entitlement has been exhausted, premiums will be paid from your retirement allowance. If you are with the ORP, (Corebridge* or TIAA), you may self-pay your premiums after your entitlement is exhausted.
*Corebridge Financial formerly known as VALIC/AIG Retirement
Medicare Supplements
For information regarding Medicare Supplement options and eligibility requirements, click Medicare Supplement.
Sick Leave Entitlement
Upon retirement from the state, an employee may convert a portion of his or her unused sick leave into a cash equivalent to pay for retiree medical insurance premiums after retirement. The formula used to determine the amount of Sick Leave Entitlement is:
½ of unused sick leave hours multiplied by the hourly wage at time of retirement.
The cap for sick leave hours is 1,200 hours.
| Credited Hours of Service | Estimated Years of Service | Maximum Allowable Sick Leave Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0-10,400 | 5 | 420 |
| 10,401-20,800 | 5-10 | 480 |
| 20,801-31,200 | 10-15 | 540 |
| 31,21 and over | 15 and over | 600 |
For more information regarding the sick leave entitlement, please contact PERSI, at 1-800-451-8228
Retiree Life Insurance
Idaho State University provides life insurance for retirees if at the time of retirement, the retiree's age plus years of ISU service total at least 80, (Rule of 80).
Life insurance benefits are paid at the following rates:
- 100% of salary at time of retirement - Up to age 65
- 75% of salary at time of retirement - From ages 65-69
- 50% of salary at time of retirement - At age 70
- Spouse: $1,000
- Children under the age of 26: $500
The retiree life insurance benefit is administered through Idaho State University, Human Resources. To file a claim, contact ISU Human Resources Benefits Specialist at (208) 282-2517.