The Georgia Defined Contribution Plan (GDCP) was created by the 1992 Georgia Law, Act 996 effective July 1, 1992.

Its purpose is to provide a retirement system for temporary, seasonal, and part-time employees of:

• departments, bureaus, institutions, boards, or commissions of the State of Georgia
• the State Board of Education
• the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia

Excluded from membership are the following employees:

• working for an institution who are regularly enrolled and attending classes at that institution and who meet IRS student exclusion criteria
• qualified as bona fide independent contractors
• active in or retired from ERS or TRS

Important: Members of GDCP are only covered for Medicare. There is no Social Security coverage.

Administration

The Board of Trustees of the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia (ERS) is responsible for the administration of the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan.

Contribution Rate

Members contribute seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of gross salary to the plan through payroll deductions. This amount is deposited into each member’s account.

Interest and Investment

The rate of interest is determined by the Board of Trustees based upon the return on investments minus administrative expenses. There could be times when no interest is credited due to low return on investments. When applicable, interest is credited monthly.

Refunds

A contributing member who terminates employment may apply for a refund of accumulated contributions and interest. As soon as your termination date is received by ERSGA, your account will be updated to an Inactive status. You can then access your account online and Request a Refund.

If you have not registered for your online account, please visit use the Log In button at the top of any page and register for an account.

Your account will generally be updated to Inactive within 2-6 weeks of your termination. You will receive your refund within 3-4 weeks of your online request.

Retirement

Members of GDCP who meet all of the following conditions:

• have terminated state employment
• have at least $50,000 in their account
• are at least 65 years old

have the option of receiving a periodic payment, based on:

1. the accumulated contributions and interest in their account and
2. mortality tables as adopted by the Board of Trustees

Applications for this periodic payment are available from ERSGA. Please contact our Customer Care Group for more information.

Death

If a member dies, a lump sum payment of contributions and interest will be made to the designated primary beneficiary. If the designated primary beneficiary is deceased, payment will be made to the contingent (secondary) beneficiary. If the contingent beneficiary is also deceased, payment will be made to the member’s estate.

Important: Remember to keep your beneficiaries updated. ERSGA will not recognize a will for beneficiary designation, only the beneficiaries on file with ERSGA.