The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Retirement Program offers two types of retirement plans to eligible employees: a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan:

  • There are three different plans under the Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) umbrella of coverage.
    • Two "hybrid" plans where a portion of your contributions goes to a defined benefit plan featuring guaranteed monthly payments and another portion goes to a defined contribution plan, where the amount of money you earn depends on the performance of your investments.

    • The third option is a straight defined contribution/investment plan.

    • Please refer to the Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System website.

  • Defined Contribution Plan Option
    • Retirement income is determined by your account balance at the time of retirement, which is comprised of both employee and employer contributions and any investment earnings based on the performance of the investments you choose.

    • Please refer to the State System of Higher Education Alternative Retirement Plan(ARP) website.

If you are a current member of the Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS), you may elect to continue your enrollment with PSERS, or elect SERS and opt for multiple service which combines service in both SERS and PSERS to received a single retirement benefit, or you may enroll in the ARP.

Planning your Retirement from IUP

There is different eligibility criteria per employment group. Please review the below presentation for your appropriate employment group to learn more.

Pre-retirement checklists are also available per employment group to determine retirement eligibility.

Retirement counselors for SERS and the Alternative Retirement Plan companies (Fidelity Investments and TIAA) are on campus at least once a month for one-on-one counseling sessions with faculty and staff members.Schedule a Retirement Counseling Schedule appointment.

Below are other links which may also be helpful in your planning:

Retirement Planning Information

Voluntary Supplemental Retirement Programs