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  • Human Resources
  • Benefits – Primary Retirement

Resources

  • Orientation Videos
  • Review the Benefits Guide
  • ASRS & ORP Comparison
  • ORP Guide
  • ASRS Enrollment Guide
  • Benefit Plan Documents and Policies
  • Benefits Vendor Contact Information

Review the Benefits Guide


Learn more about your primary retirement Plan

  • Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
  • Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
  • Public Safety Personnel Retirement Plan (PSPRS)

Primary Retirement Plans

Image of Retirement Money with Tree Photo by Micheile Henderson on unsplash

All regular benefit eligible employees are required by state mandate to enroll in a primary retirement plan. Exception:

Postdoctoral scholars and some international employees are not eligible to participate in a primary retirement plan.  

Part Time Faculty and Temporary Employees can become eligible for retirement if they work at least 20 hours a week for at least 20 weeks in a fiscal year. If you become eligible you will be notified by Human Resources.

Plans Offered

The retirement plan you are offered depends on the type of employee you are. 

Classified Staff

Required to enroll in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

Faculty & Appointed Staff

Choice between ASRS or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) with TIAA or Fidelity.

30 days to elect, if you do not enroll you will be defaulted into ASRS.

Your enrollmentdefault is irrevocable.

Public Safety Employees

Can choose a defined benefit or define contribution option with PSPRS.

90 days to elect, if you do not enroll you will be defaulted into the defined benefit option.

Your enrollmentdefault is irrevocable.

When your retirement contributions begin

If you enroll in ASRS your contributions will begin effective:

  • New Members: the first day of the pay period following 183 days of continuous service.
  • Current Members: at your date of hire if you have an active retirement account.
  • Forfeited Members: at your date of hire if you forfeited your account less than two years ago.

If you enroll in the ORP, your contributions will begin starting the first day of the pay period following your election.

If you enroll in PSPRS your contribution will be effective:

  • New Members: the first day of the pay period following 90 days of continuous service.
  • Current Members: at your date of hire if you have an active retirement account.

ASRS and ORP Comparison

Review the difference between ASRS and the ORP

  • Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Tab Open

  • Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) Tab Closed

Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Accordion Open

  • Required for all Classified Staff
  • Available to Appointed staff, Faculty and Service Professionals
  • Income at retirement based on the ASRS benefit formula.
  • Long term disability coverage included in contribution rate.
  • For new members, contributions begin after 183 days waiting period.
  • Existing members start contributing at hireeligibility date.
  • Both you and NAU contribute to ASRS.
    • 12.29% of pay 2023/2024 FY
  • ASRS manages investments.
  • Your contributions are always 100% vested.
  • For new members, NAU’s contributions do not vest.
  • No additional contributions allowed.
  • Retiree health care available through either ADOA or ASRS.
  • Eligible for a health care subsidy after 5 years of service
  • Not very portable

Review the ASRS webpage and FAQs

Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) Accordion Closed

  • Available to Appointed Staff, Faculty and Service Professionals
  • Income at retirement based your account value.
  • Long term disability coverage is provided at no cost.
  • Contributions begin first day of the pay period after election.
  • Both you and NAU contribute 7% of pay
  • You can choose between Fidelity or TIAA as your investment manager.
  • You direct your investments.
  • Your contributions are always 100% vested.
  • NAU’s contributions vest after 5 years, earlier vesting may be available.
  • No additional contributions allowed.
  • Retiree health care available through either ADOA or ASRS
  • Not eligible for a health care subsidy
  • Fairly portable

Review the ORP webpage and FAQs

Still have questions??

Contact the Benefits Team at nauhrbenefits@nau.edu or call (928) 523-2223.

 

Welcome to Human Resources
Location
Building 91
Centennial Building
411 S Beaver Street
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
Email
NAUHRContact@nau.edu
Phone
(928) 523-2223