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Retirement Plans

All eligible UT Southwestern employees are automatically enrolled in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) 401a mandatory retirement plan.

Eligible employees may also enroll in the Voluntary UTSaver Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA-403b) plan or the Voluntary UTSaver Deferred Compensation (DCP-457b) plan.

Mandatory Retirement Plan

To aid your long-term financial wellbeing, the University of Texas System automatically enrolls eligible employees into the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) – a mandatory retirement plan governed by Internal Revenue Code Section 401a. Your automatic enrollment results in mandatory, automatic, pre-tax paycheck deductions and establishes you as a TRS “member.”

The pre-tax paycheck deductions are transferred directly to your TRS account. Member contributions are not taxed until you receive a distribution from TRS. You are vested after five years of TRS service credit and are entitled to a monthly annuity benefit. There are also disability and death, and survivor benefits available to eligible TRS members.

In addition to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), other retirement plans include the Optional Retirement Program (ORP), which is determined by the job you perform at UT Southwestern. The ORP requires a one-year-and-one-day vesting period. You may also contribute to the Tax-Sheltered Annuity Program (UTSaver TSA) and the Deferred Compensation Plan (UTSaver DCP).

Voluntary UTSaver Retirement Plans and UT Retirement Manager

The UT System Retirement Manager gives you the tools you need to start building toward a secure financial future. Retirement Manager is a secure website that enables you to add, change, and review your retirement contributions.

2025 IRS Voluntary Retirement Plans Contribution Limits

Plan Type Calendar 2024 Calendar 2025
TSA 403(b) $23,000 $23,500
DCP 457(b) $23,000 $23,500
Age 50 Catchup $7,500 $7,500

Note: IRS 415(c) limit: ORP and TSA (ROTH and/or Traditional) have a combined contribution limit of $70,000 for calendar year 2025. If you are enrolled in ORP and your salary is projected to exceed $350,000, please benefits@utsouthwestern.edu for assistance calculating your maximum contribution amount into the TSA plan.

Approved Providers for Voluntary Plans

Five financial institutions were carefully chosen by UT System to provide employees with expert account management services.

Questions about retirement for UT Southwestern?

Benefits & Retirement Office 
214-648-9830
HR@utsouthwestern.edu

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