The Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) for Higher Education was established for employees of Virginia’s public colleges and universities who could benefit from the portability of a defined contribution plan and to assist institutions of higher education recruit faculty employees.

• Fidelity Investments and Tax-Exempt Services
  1-800-343-0860 in Boston, Mass.
  
• TIAA-CREF
  1-800-842-2776 in Charlottesville, Va.
• Virginia Retirement System
  1-888-827-3847 (VA-RETIR)
  • Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) Handbook (PDF)

Eligible employees include:

• Full-time, part-time, salaried employees in teaching, admin/research positions who hold faculty rank
  
• The president of a participating institution of higher education
  
• The Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System

Company comparison sheets are distributed at orientation, and an annual Benefits Fair is held in the fall.