How was it determined what retirement plan I am eligible for?

All newly hired, eligible, regular full-time employees hired on or after January 1, 2009, which have never worked for the state as eligible, regular full-time employees, are enrolled in the Georgia State Employees’ Pension & Savings Plan (GSEPS).

For re-hired, eligible, regular full-time employees that previously worked for the state as eligible, regular full-time employees, your employment history and refund of previous retirement contributions determine what pension plan you are eligible for.

Hourly employees are enrolled in the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan.

What are the exceptions to the requirement to being enrolled in a retirement plan?

If you are employed as an eligible, regular full-time employee and you are 60 years old or older, enrollment in the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia (ERS) is optional.

If you are an hourly employee and you are an active member of ERS or Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) or you are a TRS or ERS retiree, you are not eligible to be a member of the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan.

How can I get more information about my retirement plan?

The ERS website is www.ers.ga.gov.

Click here for the Retirement page on the DNR Intranet.

What information can I access on the ERS website?

Old Plan, New Plan, GSEPS
Georgia Defined Contribution Plan
Peach State Reserves
Designate and Change Beneficiaries
Online Contributions Statement
Presentations
Retirement Webinars
Retirement Seminar Schedule
Retirement Benefits Estimates
Forms, Publications, Handbooks, Retirement Application
View/Update Personal Profile
Online Request for a Refund of Contributions Upon Termination

Who can I contact with specific questions?

Contact ERS between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. The phone numbers are 404-350-6300 and toll-free 1-800-805-4609.

Georgia State Employees’ Pension & Savings Plan (GSEPS)

With GSEPS do I have a pension or a 401(k)?

GSEPS is a retirement plan comprised of a Defined Benefit Pension Plan and a 401(k) Plan with a matching employer contribution. The maximum contributions to your GSEPS 401(k) is 5% of your earnings. For more information access the ERS website at www.ers.ga.gov or the DNR intranet at http://d7.gadnr.org/retirement.

Can I contribute more than 5% of my earnings to a 401(k) or 457 plan since I am enrolled in GSEPS?

To contribute more than 5% of your earnings, you can also contribute to a regular Peach State Reserves account (see below). The GSEPS 401(k) plan is the only plan with matching contributions.

Peach State Reserves- Employee Retirement Savings for all Employees

What is Peach State Reserves?

Peach State Reserves (PSR) is a plan offered by the State of Georgia to it's employees that provide an opportunity to save for retirement while reducing current taxable income and accumulating tax-deferred savings.