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Retirement Benefits

|Plan Options for New Hires|Retirement Plan Descriptions|Retirement Planning|


Retirement Plan Options for New Hires

All full time employees other than those on F and J visas are covered by a retirement system offered by the State of Connecticut.

New Employee Retirement Plan Options at a Glance
Employee Type Retirement Plan Options Default
SERS Tier IV Hybrid ARP TRS, if eligible Waive
Classified Full Time Employee Yes No No No No SERS Tier IV
Unclassified Full Time Employee Yes Yes Yes Yes No Hybrid
Part Time Faculty Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Hybrid

New employees in classified positions are automatically enrolled in the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) Tier IV retirement plan.

New employees in unclassified positions (AAUP, SUOAF and Management/Confidential) may elect membership in the SERS Hybrid Plan, the Alternate Retirement Program (ARP), the SERS Tier IV retirement plan, or, if eligible, the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) by the first day of employment.  Any unclassified employee who does not make an election at the time of hire is defaulted into the SERS Hybrid Plan.

No change to an employee's retirement plan membership is permitted after initial election. However, if the employee elected SERS Hybrid Plan or ARP membership and is subsequently employed in a position not eligible for SERS Hybrid Plan or ARP participation, he/she must be enrolled in SERS Tier IV.

Part time faculty members may elect to waive retirement plan membership. A part time faculty member who elected to waive membership in a retirement plan is ineligible to choose a retirement plan during any subsequent part-time faculty employment. However, if the part time faculty member is subsequently rehired in a full-time position, he/she will be treated as a new employee and offered the retirement plan election options appropriate to the full time position.

Generally, any Employee who had prior Connecticut state service must rejoin the retirement plan (SERS Tier I, Tier II, Tier IIA, or Tier III, Tier IV, SERS Hybrid Plan, ARP or TRS) for which the employee had prior plan membership.

Retirement Plan Descriptions

  • This is a defined benefit plan. The employee contribution to this plan is two-fold; 5% of your salary to the defined benefit plan and 1% of your salary to a defined contribution plan. Contributions are made on a pre- tax basis. Should you meet the requirements for receipt of a retirement benefit under this plan, the benefit you receive will be calculated based on a formula which uses the number of years you participated in the plan and the average of your five highest years' salary. Under the SERS Tier IV plan, retirement credit may be granted for some prior employment service, including military service and municipal employment. Restrictions apply.

  • This is a defined benefit plan with a "cash out" option qualified under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The employee contribution to this plan is 8% of your salary to the defined benefit plan and 1% of your salary to the defined contribution plan. Contributions are made on a pre-tax basis. At the time of retirement you will have the option of receiving a retirement benefit calculated based on a formula which uses the number of years you participated in the plan and the average of your five highest years' salary or in lieu of such benefit a one-time lump sum payment with a five percent employer match and four percent interest. Under the Hybrid Plan, retirement credit may be granted for some prior employment service, including military service and municipal employment. Restrictions apply.

  • This is a defined contribution plan qualified under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. An ARP member's benefit is based upon their contributions to the plan and investment earnings. The employee has the option of contributing either 5% or 6.5% of your salary, contributions are made on a pre-tax basis. The State of Connecticut contributes an amount equal to 6.5% of your salary. Plan contributions are invested at the direction of the member in investment funds available under the plan.

  • This is a defined benefit plan. If your employment as a part-time employee is concurrent with employment as a public school teacher, you may elect to have your earnings treated as earnings subject to the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS). The employee contribution is 8.25% of your salary and is made on a pre-tax basis. Earnings during summer employment do not apply.

  • Tier I Summary Plan Description

  • Tier II Summary Plan Description

  • Tier IIA Summary Plan Description

  • Tier III Summary Plan Description

  • The State of Connecticut Deferred Compensation 457 Plan is a voluntary retirement program that is available to all state employees (excluding non-resident aliens). This Plan gives you the choice of traditional pre-tax or Roth after-tax contributions (or both).

    2023 contribution limits: $22,500; additional $7,500 for "Age 50+ catch-up", and up to $45,000 in "special three-year catch-up".

  • The State of Connecticut 403(b) Plan is a voluntary retirement program that is open to university employees (excluding non-resident aliens). This plan gives you the choice of traditional pre-tax or Roth after-tax contributions (or both).

    2023 contribution limits: $22,500; and additional $7,500 for "Age 50+ catch-up".

Retirement Planning