Learn more about your primary retirment Plan
Primary Retirement Plans
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.
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 enrollment\default 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 enrollment\default 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) 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 hire\eligibility 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.