The Optional Retirement Program (ORP) is a flexible and portable retirement plan for employees at the Commonwealth’s public institutions of higher education and the Department of Higher Education.
Employees who are eligible to participate in the Massachusetts State Employees’ Retirement System (MSERS), also known as the state employees’ pension plan may, as an alternative, choose to participate in the ORP for their retirement coverage.
The ORP was established under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 15A Section 40 and operates under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a).
The Department of Higher Education is the ORP plan administrator. You can contact the plan administrator at any time via email: ORP@dhe.mass.edu
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