Retirement Services
All regular, full-time employees must participate in one of the state of Tennessee’s retirement plans.
Regular, part-time employees may join a retirement plan. Those who elect to participate are subject to the same terms and conditions as members with mandatory participation.
Please contact us with questions at retirement@tennessee.edu or 865-974-5251.
UT’s Retirement Services Office is moving downtown to the UT Tower effective April 18th. All UT System offices are moving off the Knoxville campus. Our new address is listed below. Please contact our office before visiting our new site. There is a security process for entering the building leased from TVA, and it is helpful for us to know you are coming.
Our new physical address will be:
400 W Summit Hill Dr. – UT Tower 9th Floor
Knoxville, TN 37902
Our mailing address will be
505 Summer Place – 912 UT Tower
Knoxville, TN 37902
Upcoming Changes to the ORP and 403b Plans
The state is making changes to the ORP and 403b plans. You can find information about these changes on the state’s website at ORP Transition. There is contact information for vendors and documentation regarding the changes. More information will be coming from the state.
Eligibility
Exempt Faculty and Staff
Regular faculty and exempt staff (those not eligible for overtime) can choose between membership in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP).
Non-Exempt Staff
Regular non-exempt staff (those eligible for overtime) are covered in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS).
Employees Not Eligible to Participate in a Retirement Plan
Those not eligible to participate in retirement plans are:
- Student workers
- Temporary employees
- Medical residents
- Interns and externs
- Non-U.S. citizens who do not pay Social Security or Medicare taxes
- State retirees eligible to participate in the Tennessee Retiree Group Insurance Program