Retirement Programs

As an employee of the Lone Star College System, you are required to participate in a qualified retirement plan in lieu of the Social Security System. Any employee hired after April 1986 is required to contribute 1.45% monthly in the Medicare portion of the Social Security System.

All non-contracted employees (Full-Time Support & Professional Staff) are required to contribute to the Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS).

All full-time contracted employees (Full-time Faculty and Administrators) have the choice of participating in either TRS or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP). Contracted employees have 90 days from the date of employment to make this irrevocable, lifetime decision. If no decision is made within 90 days, the employee will be automatically be enrolled in TRS.

Part-time employees are required to enroll in the Teacher’s Insurance and Annuity Association and College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF).

All employees, full-time and part-time, are eligible to participate in the Optional Tax Deferred Annuity Program. This allows the employee to set aside additional funds for retirement.

Employees are eligible for retirement benefits with at least 5 years of service at age 55. Medical benefits are continued on all employees retiring at age 65 with at least 10 years of service, or when the Rule of 80 is met with TRS (the employee's years of service and age must add up to at least 80). The employee’s premiums are paid by the State of Texas. Dependant coverage may also be continued; however ,the employee will be responsible for the premium.