Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement Savings Plans
• Life, Disability & Other Benefits
• Health Information Privacy Practices
  

Forms & Reports

• Dental Insurance Rates
• Health Insurance Rates
• Benefits Comparison Chart
• TRS Comparability Report

Resources

• Solicitors of 403(b) Annuity Plans
• First Financial GISD Benefits Website
• Health Care Flexible Spending Account Changes as of 1-1-11
• Humana Website
• Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• TRS Certified 403(b) Companies
• 403(b) Information at 403bwise.com
• 403(b) Hardship Withdrawls and Loans
• Employee Retirement Savings Newsletter
• Employee Retirement Savings Newsletter (Spanish)

Benefits :: Retirement Savings Plans

Eligible GISD employees participate in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas through monthly payroll deductions.   The TRS system offers a wide array of benefits, including retirement, disability, and death benefits.

In addition, Georgetown ISD offers a 403(b)/403(b)(7) Tax-deferred Retirement Plan. Almost all employees are eligible to participate (this may include substitutes). The 403(b)/403(b)(7) Tax-deferred Retirement Plan offers year round enrollment into the plan. Having a 403(b) can save you valuable tax dollars on the contributions you make as well as the earnings by deferring taxes until the funds are distributed at retirement age.

You can set up a 403(b) account with any company that is on the First Financial approved vendors list as well as on the TRS certified list. To access the First Financial list, go to www.ffga.com then:

• Click on Retirement Services 403b/457
• Click on Choose Your School (select Texas, then select your school - Georgetown ISD)
• Click on Authorized Providers

To establish a 403(b) account, you must complete a salary reduction agreement form which allows GISD to automatically contribute the amount you designate to your account. Interest earnings are tax-deferred. The amount you contribute is subject to annual deferral limits and contributions are deposited on a pre-tax basis.  The contribution limit increased in 2005 to $14,000. An additional $4,000 is permitted under the 50+ Catch-up. This may allow existing participants to increase their 403(b) contributions.

GISD's third-party administrator, First Financial Administrators, can assist you with the paperwork for your salary reduction agreement once you have selected the company you'd like to use for your 403(b) account.  They can also answer general questions about 403(b)s.

For more information, contact:

First Financial Administrators
515 N. Sam Houston Parkway East, 5th Floor
Houston, TX 77060
1-800-523-8422