University of Georgia Staff Council

Optional Retirement Plan Eligibility for Post Doctoral Associates

               
                       March 4, 2002

                       Internal Memorandum

                       TO:      Deans, Directors, and Department Heads

                       FROM:    Andy Brantley, Associate Vice President for Human Resources

                       SUBJECT: Optional Retirement Plan Eligibility for Post Doctoral
                                Associates

                       I am pleased to announce that post doctoral associates who begin
                       employment on or after July 1, 2002 will be eligible to participate in
                       the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP).

                       To date, post doctoral associates have been required to participate in
                       the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) and have not had the opportunity
                       to choose the Optional Retirement Plan. Unfortunately, we will not be
                       able to make this option available for current post doctoral associates.

                       The Optional Retirement Plan is a defined contribution retirement plan
                       that provides immediate vesting of university and employee
                       contributions. If the employee leaves the university or the appointment
                       ends, all funds contributed belong to the employee.

                       For more information regarding the university's retirement programs,
                       please visit
                       http://www.busfin.uga.edu/benefits/bensumm.html#anchorretire. If you
                       have additional questions, please contact the Human Resources Employee
                       Benefits Department at (706) 542-1814.

                       Please share this memorandum with individuals who are currently
                       conducting searches to fill post doctoral associate positions.