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: ERS does not administer retirement benefits for employees of higher education institutions, the Community Supervision and Corrections Department, or Windham School District. If you work for one of these entities, please see the Teacher Retirement System of Texas/Optional Retirement Program (TRS/ORP) page for information about your retirement benefits. Please see the Insurance Benefits in Retirement page for information about your insurance benefits as a retiree.

Program includes:

• Monthly annuity for life when the member becomes eligible and chooses to retire
• Options for a lump-sum payment on retirement and/or survivor benefits after retiree’s death

Eligibility:

• Automatic enrollment for employees of State of Texas agencies , elected state officials and district attorneys in the first month of employment/office, with the first contribution deducted from the first paycheck
• Automatic enrollment for certified peace officers in the Law Enforcement & Custodial Officers Supplemental Retirement Fund (LECOSRF), which provides an additional retirement benefit at an additional cost, with the first contribution deducted from the first paycheck
• Automatic enrollment for judges the Judicial Retirement System 2 (JRS 2), with the first contribution deducted from the first check

How do I sign up?

• Eligibility for retirement annuity based on age, years of service and date of employment
  • Learn when you can retire.
• Automatic enrollment during first month of employment/office, with the first contribution deducted from the first paycheck.
• Three-steps process to apply for retirement, upon reaching eligibility

Annuity options:

When you become eligible and retire with ERS, you will receive a lifetime monthly payment called an annuity.
You may choose:

• the standard annuity or
• an option that continues payments to your designated beneficiary after your death and/or
• a partial lump-sum payment upon retirement.