State ORP details
The State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP) is a defined contribution plan for employees of state agencies, public and charter school districts and public higher education institutions. State ORP is also available to individuals first elected to the South Carolina General Assembly at or after the general election in November 2012.
Eligibility
Employees must be employed and receiving compensation from a participating employer to participate in State ORP.
Employees must enroll and select a service provider within 30 days of hire.
Open enrollment
The annual enrollment period for active State ORP participants is January 1 to March 1 each year. During this period employees may:
- Choose to change service providers; or
- Elect to irrevocably switch to the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) if it has been at least one year, but not more than five years, since their initial enrollment in State ORP.
Visit PEBA’s website to learn more about the annual open enrollment period.
Contributions
Participating employees contribute 9% of their salary each pay period before taxes are withheld. Their employer contributes 5% of the employee’s gross salary for allocation to their State ORP account.
Eligible pretax contributions from the account types below can be rolled into an employee’s State ORP account:
- A qualified retirement plan such as a 401(a), 401(k), 403(b) or a governmental 457(b) deferred compensation plan;
- An annuity contract; or
- The portion of a distribution from an individual retirement account (IRA) or annuity.
*Rollovers of after-tax contributions are not allowed.
Find more detailed information, including distribution options, on PEBA’s State ORP website.
Administrative training resources and tools for employers
You have access to videos, guides, portals and more to help you navigate State ORP and manage your responsibilities as an employer.
- Log in to PEBA’s Electronic Employer Services (EES) website to conduct administrative tasks, such as enrolling new employees. You must enroll employees through PEBA.
- Watch retirement presentations on PEBA’s Retirement employer training webpage.
- Reference the Retirement Manager guide when uploading payroll files, submitting contribution lists and processing corrections for State ORP participants with Corebridge Financial.
- Learn more about State ORP with Corebridge Financial by visiting Corebridge Financial’s participant website.
If you have a question or need assistance regarding a State ORP participant with
Corebridge Financial, contact janet.campbell@corebridgefinancial.com.
RO 4360212 (4/2025)