State of Texas Retirement for Active Employees
The State of Texas Retirement program is a defined benefit retirement plan (also known as a pension) for eligible employees of State of Texas agencies, with mandatory participation.
Note for employees of higher education institutions, the Community Supervision and Corrections Department and Windham School District. ERS does not administer your annuity benefits. If you work for one of these entities, please see information the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) and the Optional Retirement Program (ORP). If you become eligible for insurance benefits in retirement, ERS will administer those. Please see the Insurance Benefits in Retirement page for more information.
Program benefits
- Monthly annuity for life when the member becomes eligible and chooses to retire
- Options for a partial lump-sum payment at retirement and/or survivor benefits after the retiree’s death
- The possibility to participate in health and other insurance benefits in retirement
Eligibility
The following groups are eligible and required to participate in State of Texas Retirement:
- Employees of State of Texas agencies, including certified peace officers and custodial officers, who participate in the Law Enforcement and Custodial Officer Supplemental (LECOS) Retirement Fund
- The LECOS Fund provides an additional retirement benefit at an additional cost.
- Elected state officials, including district and criminal attorneys who receive salaries from the state's general revenue fund
- Eligible judges and justices in Texas, who participate in the Judicial Retirement System Plan 2 (JRS 2)
How do I sign up?
- State agency employees (including certified peace officers and custodial officers eligible for the LECOS Fund), elected state officials (including district and criminal attorneys), and eligible judges and justices are automatically enrolled in State of Texas Retirement during their first month of employment/office, with the first contribution deducted from the first paycheck.
- Eligibility to retire with an annuity depends on when you start work for the state, your age and your years of service.
- Learn the three-step process to apply for retirement, when you become eligible.
Gain-sharing in Group 4
Employees in Retirement Group 4 (who started state agency employment after Aug. 31, 2022) participate in gain-sharing, a way for ERS to share positive investment returns with Group 4 members and retirees. Under current state law, only members and retirees in Group 4 participate in gain-sharing.
Annuity options
When you become eligible and retire with ERS, you will receive a lifetime monthly payment called an annuity.
At retirement, you may choose:
- Regular State Employee Overview
- Frequently asked questions about retirement
- Overview of Group 4 retirement - for regular employees starting on/after Sept. 1, 2022 (pdf)
- Group 4 retirement benefits(video)
- Planning Your Retirement booklet (pdf)
- Purchasing service credit
- Ready, Set, Retire - All groups (pdf)
- Ready, Set, Retire - All groups presentation (video)
- Ready, Set, Retire! - Group 1 Regular Service Employees (pdf)
- Ready, Set, Retire! - Group 2 Regular Service Employees (pdf)
- Ready, Set, Retire! - Group 3 Regular Service Employee (pdf)
- LECOSRF overview page
- Overview of Group 4 LECO retirement - for law enforcement and custodial officers starting on/after Sept. 1, 2022 (pdf)
- Ready, Set, Retire! - Groups 1-3 CPOs and COs (pdf)
- Group 4 retirement benefits - for law enforcement and custodial officers (video)
- Elected state official overview page - includes district and criminal attorneys that receive salaries from the state general revenue fund
- JRS overview page
- Optional Retirement Program
- Proportionate Retirement Program
- Texa$aver℠ 401(k) / 457 Program - personal retirement savings to supplement your State of Texas retirement income
- Texa$aver plan comparison
- Health insurance premium contributions for retirees