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UTRGV
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Office of Human Resources Division of the President

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    Prospective Employee

    Prospective Employee

    The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is actively looking for talented individuals seeking employment in higher education. UTRGV has positions that range from A/C Mechanic to Web Developer and everything in between! We encourage you to visit us at careers.utrgv.edu for a complete list of all currently available jobs.

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    Current Employee

    Current Employee

    As a current employee, you can use these resources as a helpful guide. If you still have questions, please reach out to us at hr@utrgv.edu

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    Student Employee

    Student Employee

    Student employment can be a fundamental part of a student’s educational experience, promoting engagement and providing professional development opportunities in an effort to retain, graduate, and prepare students for the workplace.

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    Managers

    As a manager, you have many responsibilities to your employees and the university. You also probably receive a lot of tricky questions about everything from hiring new employees to workplace concerns.

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    Benefits

    UTRGV provides a competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services. Including additional programs that range from health to Tuition Assistance. Click here to learn more.

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Retired Employees Banner

UTRGV Retired Employee


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Retirement


Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)

What is TRS?

TRS is a defined benefit retirement plan governed by Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a). Benefits-eligible employees that are working at least 20 hours per week for 4 1/2 continuous months or more are eligible. Students employed in positions that require student status as a condition of employment are not eligible.

Enrollment TRS

All eligible employees of UTRGV are automatically enrolled in TRS on their first day of employment. Employee and employer contributions go into a large trust fund that is managed by knowledgeable professionals.

Vesting TRS

You are vested after five years of service with a right to a retirement benefit. There are also disability and death and survivor benefits available to TRS members. Retirement benefits are based on legislatively determined formulas.

Contributions TRS

Fiscal Year Employee Contributions Employer Contributions
September 1, 2021 – August 31, 2022 8.0% 7.75%
September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2023 8.0% 8.0%

TRS website for additional resources and information.

Optional Retirement Program (ORP)

What is Optional Retirement Program (ORP)?

ORP is a defined contribution plan governed by Internal Revenue Code Section 403(b).

Eligible employees are notified of their ORP eligibility at the time of their initial employment.

Eligibility is strictly determined by the job you perform and is not based on years of service or salary level. To be eligible to participate in ORP, an employee must:

(1) initially be appointed on a full-time, continuous basis for 4 1/2 months or more; and

(2) be appointed to a position otherwise eligible to participate in ORP.

Employees who are eligible to participate in a Retirement Program who are not eligible to participate in ORP must participate in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS).

Here are a few examples of ORP-eligible positions:

  • Faculty members whose duties include teaching and/or research as a principal activity
  • Faculty administrators responsible for teaching and researching faculty
  • Professional librarians
  • Chief and senior administrative officials
  • Specialized professional positions (such as physicians, engineers, and attorneys)
  • Athletic coaches and directors
  • Counselors treated in the same manner as faculty

Enrollment ORP

You have 90 days from the date you first become eligible for the ORP to make your enrollment decision. If you are reclassified and/or assume a new job and become ORP-eligible for the first time after your initial employment date, the 90-day election period begins on the day your reclassification becomes effective.

The decision to enroll in ORP is a once-in-a-lifetime, irrevocable decision.

To enroll in ORP, follow these steps:

  1. Choose your financial provider(s) from the authorized Provider List .
  2. Complete the appropriate provider application(s) to open an account(s) with that provider(s).
  3. Complete TRS Form 28 (Notice to Elect to Participate in Optional Retirement Program) with a UTRGV Benefits Representative at any of our UTRGV HR Benefits office .
  4. After meeting with the Benefits Representative, log onto UT Retirement Manager and click on the ORP Enroll/Change page and select your ORP provider.
  5. Before your first ORP deduction, mail all completed provider applications to the designated address on the applications.

Declining Enrollment

If you wish to decline enrollment into the ORP, you must complete and submit the ORP Acknowledgement Form prior to your enrollment deadline and send it to the UTRGV Benefits office.

Do not complete all of the other enrollment steps listed above.

You will remain in the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) for the duration of your career in Texas Public Higher Education.

Vesting ORP

Vesting refers to a participant’s ownership of employer “matching” contributions. Vesting occurs on the first day of the second year of participation, which is defined as the first day of the 13th month of active participation (i.e., making contributions by payroll deduction). The vesting period is sometimes referred to as “a year and a day of ORP participation.

Active (contributing) participants are not permitted to withdraw any ORP contributions or net earnings (unless they are at least age 70 -1/2), including contributions from prior periods of employment.

Annuity at the time of retirement is based on the performance of investment funds.

ORP participants are responsible for monitoring their selected companies and investments.

Federal tax law prohibits 403(b) plans from providing disability benefits. ORP participants who transition to a non-ORP-eligible job title without meeting the vesting guidelines will be placed in the TRS program indefinitely. There will not be an opportunity to return to ORP participation for the duration of any Texas Public Higher Education employment.

Contributions ORP

ORP contributions are made through payroll deduction.
Contributions and any net earnings are not subject to federal income tax until the funds are withdrawn or paid as a retirement annuity.

Contribution rates are set by the Texas Legislature and are as follows:

Retirement Program Employee Contributions Employer Contributions
ORP 6.65% 8.5%

Optional Retirement Program (ORP) for additional resources and information.

TRS & ORP Comparison

Overview of TRS and ORP

Overview of TRS & ORP

How to Retire from UTRGV?

UTRGV Retirement Planning

UTRGV Retirement Presentation

Getting Ready to Retire?

  • Email: Benefits@utrgv.edu
  • or call us at: Edinburg: (956) 665-2451 or Brownsville (956) 882-8205

2021-2022 Annual Enrollment & Resource Guide for Retired Employees

Retirement Checklist

Retirement Eligibility

Retirement Eligibility Flowchart

Silver Sneakers SilverSneakers is a fitness membership at no extra cost. UT SELECT Health Plan members over the age of 50 who are Retirees (including working Retirees), a covered spouse of a Retiree, or a Surviving Spouse are eligible for SilverSneakers.

UTB Direct Payment Form-ACH

UTB TRS Payment for Retiree Form

Cost Worksheet for Retired Employees 2022-2023

Deferring Annual Leave Information

Leave Deferral Form

UT Care Medicare PPO Plan (for retirees over age 65)

Available Resources

UT CARE Medicare PPO Plan

UT CARE Medicare PPO Plan Presentation 11/3/2022 Audio Recording Passcode: 3J2G8P4&

Available Resources

Retirement Resources

Voluntary Retirement Contribution Programs

UT Saver TSA 403(b) – Traditional & Roth

UT Saver DCP 457(b)

UT Retirement Program

UT Cares Act – COVID 19 Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

UT Saver Loan and Inservice Distribution Options

Need help?

Contact the Office of Human Resources

Benefits

Phone: (E) 956-665-2451


Phone: (B) 956-882-8205


Email: benefits@utrgv.edu

HR Benefits Quick Links

  • Benefits Frequently Asked Questions
  • Downloadable Forms
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  • Find a Provider or Pharmacy
  • Insurance
  • Interactive Cost-Worksheet
  • Leave Summary
  • My UT Benefits
  • UT Benefits Plan Administrators

Contact Us @


Edinburg

1201 West University Drive
Maryalice Shary Shivers
Building room 2.126
Edinburg, Texas 78539
Phone: 956-665-2451
Email: hr@utrgv.edu

Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST

Brownsville

2395 West University Blvd.
Brownsville, Texas 78520
Vaquero Plaza Building B
Phone: 956-882-8205
Email: hr@utrgv.edu

Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST

Harlingen

2102 Treasure Hills Blvd.
Harlingen, Texas 78550
Email: hr@utrgv.edu

Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST

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The University of
Texas Rio Grande Valley

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