Annual Estimate of Optional Retirement Program (ORP) State Contributions

Overview

Applicable to

All public junior and community colleges.

Policy

Junior/community colleges must certify estimates of state matching contribution funds for employees participating in the Optional Retirement Program (ORP).

Legal Citation

Texas Government Code Section 830.202(d); House Bill 1, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, Article III- 46, Riders 2 and 5.

Background

Every year junior/community colleges must certify estimates of state matching contribution funds for employees participating in the ORP.

The amount of funds your college receives monthly is dependent on providing a list each month to the Comptroller’s office that includes employees participating in ORP, each employee’s salary and the contribution amount per employee. The contribution amount for all participating employees should total the requested sum.

See Filling Out the Forms in this fiscal policy and procedure (FPP) for details on submitting the annual certification and monthly payment request forms.

Contribution Rate

The state reimbursement rate for the 2024 – 25 biennium must not exceed 50 percent of the college contribution for the Optional Retirement Program of 6.6 percent of the total covered payroll for a Public Community or Junior College for each fiscal year. The state reimbursement rate is determined by the college’s growth limitation factor as computed by the Legislative Budget Board.

Filling Out the Forms

About the Forms

Annual Certification

Use the Annual Certification of Estimated Optional Retirement Program (ORP) State Contributions form (74-210) to estimate the funds your college will need for fiscal 2024.

Colleges must complete and submit the annual certification form to the Comptroller’s office by Aug. 15, 2023.

Monthly Payment Request

Use the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) Monthly Payment Request form (74-211) to request monthly state matching contributions. An authorized college official must complete and sign the form and send it to the Comptroller’s office by mail, fax or email (see addresses and fax number below).

Authorized college officials are designated by the junior/community college to request payment. Form 74-211 must be accompanied by a letter on official college letterhead or an email from an authorized college official from a college email account. Personal email accounts are not accepted.

Junior/community colleges should submit payment requests using their nine-digit employer identification number (EIN) instead of their three-digit repeater number. The Comptroller’s office will issue payments to the EIN.

Note: Please do not send any confidential information such as Social Security numbers — this information is not required.

Estimating the funds

When completing the forms, carefully consider your college’s program participation trend and projected employment of eligible personnel.

If your college’s needs exceed the estimated amount, you must recertify before additional funds are disbursed.

If a later analysis reveals state contributions were overpaid, the overpayment amount must be returned immediately. See Returning ORP Funds below for details.

Submitting the Forms

Submit completed forms by mail, fax or email:

Mail

ORP Analyst
Statewide Fiscal Programs Section
Fiscal Management Division
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
P.O. Box 13528
Austin TX  78711-3528

Phone

(512) 936-5999

Fax

(512) 463-3039

Email

All email correspondence must be directed to the email address below:

cpa.orp@cpa.texas.gov

Returning ORP Funds

To return overpayment of ORP reimbursements, colleges should issue a check payable to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and mail to:

ORP Analyst
Statewide Fiscal Programs Section
Fiscal Management Division
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
P.O. Box 13528
Austin TX  78711-3528

Please specify the period for which the returned funds were received by your college. Any additional information you wish to include to explain the original receipt is appreciated.

Direct Deposit Changes?

Direct Deposit Instructions

To make changes to your direct deposit instructions (account number, financial institution, account type, etc.), use the Direct Deposit Authorization form (74-176) and select the appropriate box in Section 1. Follow the instructions on page 2 of the form for guidance on completing any other sections that may be required. Use mail code 830 on all requests.

Address Change

To make changes to your address, complete Section 3 of the Payee Change Request form (74-157). Use mail code 830 on all requests.

Direct Deposit Authorization and Payee Change Request forms can be obtained by contacting the ORP Analyst at (512) 936-5999.

Advance Notification

To receive Advance Payment Notification, you can create a Comptroller eSystems account.

For questions on the Direct Deposit Authorization form, Payee Change Request process or Advance Payment Notification, contact Payment Services at (512) 936-8138.

Note: ORP funds for institutions of higher education are appropriated directly to each institution and are not allocated from the appropriation made to the Comptroller’s office.