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The State University of New York Optional Retirement Program (SUNY ORP) is a defined contribution plan designed to provide retirement contributions for eligible salaried Contract College employees. In general, all full-time faculty and exempt staff members of contract colleges are eligible for SUNY ORP. Part-time faculty and staff at contract colleges who have term appointments of 3 months or more are also eligible. New exempt employees must select which retirement plan (SUNY ORP or NYSLRS) in which to participate within 30 days of hire.
Eligible exempt employees may elect to participant in SUNY ORP rather than NYSLRS. This election to participate in SUNY ORP is irrevocable.
Benefits are provided under one of six available tiers based on date of enrollment. New hires who are not previous members of SUNY ORP will become Tier 6 members and have a 366-day vesting period in effect from the date of enrollment. Contributions are deducted from your salary and held in Albany by the State of New York. At the end of the 366 day period, contributions are sent to TIAA and transferred to an alternate provider if selected. Employees who have current vested employer-funded contracts with any of the SUNY ORP vendors will have the vesting period waived upon providing proof.
To determine which tier you may be in and the corresponding benefits, see the chart below:
Tier |
Date of Membership |
Employer Contribution |
Employee Contribution |
1 |
Prior to July 1, 1973 |
12% of first $16,500.00 of salary each calendar year, plus 15% of salary above $16,500.00 |
No contribution required |
2 |
July 1, 1973 through July 26, 1976 |
12% of first $16,500.00 of salary each calendar year, plus 15% of salary above $16,500.00 |
No contribution required |
3 |
July 27, 1976 through August 31, 1983 |
12% of first $16,500.00 of salary each calendar year, plus 15% of salary above $16,500.00* |
3% required * |
4 |
September 1, 1983 through July 16, 1992 |
12% of first $16,500.00 of salary each calendar year, plus 15% of salary above $16,500.00* |
3% required * |
5 |
July 17, 1992 through March 31, 2012 |
8% of salary for first seven years of service then 10% for years eight, nine and ten, then 13% for subsequent years* |
3% required * |
6 |
On or after April 1, 2012 |
8% of salary for first seven years of service then 10% of salary for subsequent years |
Based on salary ranges ** |
* The 3% mandatory employee contribution is made under Section 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Federal income taxes are deferred on the contribution, but New York State and any local taxes would still apply. The 3% employee contribution ends after 10 years of participation and the employer contribution is increased accordingly. All earnings compound tax-deferred until you retire.
For all tiers, salary is limited to $270,000 for 2017; $275,000 for 2018; $280,000 for 2019; $285,000 for 2020; $290,000 for 2021.
Annual Salary |
Employee Contribution |
$45,000 or less |
3.0% required |
Between $45,000 and $55,000 |
3.5% required |
Between $55,000 and $75,000 |
4.5% required |
Between $75,000 and $100,000 |
5.75% required |
Between $100,000 or more |
6.0% required |
An employee needs to elect SUNY ORP in Workday, and then use the Retirement@Work portal (please see announcement regarding investment providers) to select investment vendors and setup an account amongst the five investment providers: Fidelity, TIAA, VALIC, and Voya.
What if a participant fails to set up an account? If a participant fails to set up an account with the investment vendors, then contributions made on their behalf will automatically be invested in a lifecycle fund based on the participant's date of birth, with the investment provider determined by SUNY.
You may not rollover other retirement plans into SUNY ORP. See Tax Deferred Annuity (TDA) for rollovers.
Each participant needs to use the Retirement@Work portal (please see announcement regarding investment providers) to select an investment alternative based on investment objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance among other factors, using the five investment providers: TIAA, Voya, Valic and Fidelity. Together, these vendors offer over 150 investment funds. Participants who do not elect an investment fund will be defaulted into an age-appropriate lifecycle fund with TIAA. Quarterly statements are mailed directly to the participant's home or sent on line to the participant by the investment vendor. The quarterly Vendor Performance Summary is available on this page for your convenience.
Under the SUNY SUNY ORP, it is possible to make transfers of variable account accumulations to alternate funding vehicles approved by SUNY: Voya, VALIC and Fidelity. There is no charge for transfers within the Plan. To make a transfer, contact the appropriate investment provider.
A participant is eligible to withdraw from their SUNY ORP accounts upon one of these events:
In-service distributions
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Vendor Performance Summaries:
TIAA
(800) 842-2776
Appointments: (800) 732-8353
Spanish version TIAA website
Voya
(800) 584-6001
Appointments: (315) 446-0100
AIG
(800) 448-2524
Appointments: (315) 392-2379 or (518) 727-8538
Fidelity
(800) 343-0860
Appointments: (800) 642-7131
MetLife
Notice to MetLife Participants
(800) 560-5001
Appointments: (888) 883-6380 or (315) 431-6364