As an appointee, you may choose between the Optional Retirement Plan for School Superintendents (ORPSS), a defined contribution plan or VRS (defined benefit plans or the Hybrid Retirement Plan, as applicable). Before making your decision, read Choosing Your Retirement Plan to compare the plans. You may also call the Plan Information Line toll-free at VRS-DC-PLAN1 (877-327-5261) and select Option 2 to speak with a Defined Contribution Plans Retirement Specialist.

Who is eligible to enroll?
Newly hired school superintendents whose school division adopted the ORPSS may enroll.

Employees who began employment before July 1, 2010 or are returning to employment with VRS service credit in their record or an ORP account balance from a pre-July 1, 2010 period of employment are eligible to participate in ORP Plan 1. Employees hired or rehired on or after July 1, 2010 with no VRS service credit and no ORP account balance are eligible to participate in ORP Plan 2.

Who contributes?
Your employer contributes regardless of whether you are eligible for ORP Plan 1 or Plan 2. Employees eligible for ORP Plan 2 also contribute.

How do I enroll in the plan?
Once VRS is notified by your employer that you are eligible for the Optional Retirement Plan (Plan 1 or 2), VRS will send you information about your option to choose between the ORPSS, the VRS defined benefit plans or the Hybrid Retirement Plan. You have 30 days from the date on the correspondence to complete the Election to Participate Optional Retirement Plan for School Superintendents (Form-VRS 71) and return it to VRS.

What is the contribution amount?

ORP Plan 1: Your employer contributes 10.4 percent of your creditable compensation each pay date.
ORP Plan 2: Your employer contributes 8.5 percent of your creditable compensation each pay date; you pay an additional pre-tax contribution of 5 percent of compensation.

You are immediately vested in the plan, which means the full account balance (employer and employee contributions plus any earnings) is available to you when you terminate employment.

What are my investment option choices?
The plan offers a variety of investment options - from pre-mixed target date portfolios to a menu of options across asset classes - to construct your investment portfolio. Additionally, the plan offers a Self-Directed Brokerage Account (SDBA) for an additional fee. Publicly traded mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and individual securities are offered through the SDBA. You must have $2,500 in the core investments before investing in the SDBA.

Find more information about the plan's investment options here or call the Plan Information Line toll-free at VRS-DC-PLAN1 (877-327-5261). If you have any questions about your brokerage account, please contact Charles Schwab at 1-888-393-7272, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 7:30 pm, excluding market holidays. Please consider the investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses carefully before investing.

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and MissionSquare Retirement are not affiliated and are not responsible for the products and services provided by the other. Schwab Personal Choice Retirement Account® (PCRA) is offered through Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Member SIPC), the registered broker/dealer, which also provides other brokerage and custody services to its customers.

How do I make investment option changes?
You can make changes to your account online or by phone. Go to the plan website at www.varetire.org, choose the Defined Contribution Plans tab, and select the account login option or call the toll-free Plan Information Line at VRS-DC-PLAN1 (877-327-5261) to:

• Move all or a portion of your existing balances between investment options (subject to plan rules)
• Change how your future contributions are invested.

How do I keep track of my account?

You will receive a quarterly account statement showing your account balance and activity for your Plan. You also can check your account balance online at www.varetire.org, select the Defined Contribution Plans tab, and select the account login option or call VRS-DC-PLAN1 (877-327-5261). You may elect to receive an electronic statement.

Are there fees to participate in the plan?
Yes. An annual recordkeeping and communication services fee of $30.50 will be deducted from your account on a monthly basis ($2.54 per month). If you participate in more than one Commonwealth of Virginia plan, only one annual fee of $30.50 will be deducted from your account. In addition, each investment option has investment management and other fund costs that vary. Investment option fees and performance are available on the plan website, by calling the Plan Information Line or within the Investment Option Performance report included with your quarterly statement. For more information about fees associated with the Self-Directed Brokerage Account option, refer to the fact sheet online or call the Plan Information Line.

When can I withdraw from my account?
You may begin making withdrawals when you are no longer employed in a position covered for retirement benefits through a plan administered or authorized by VRS. An IRS penalty for withdrawals prior to age 59½ may apply. Withdrawals from all plans are subject to federal income tax and state income tax, depending on your state of residence. You must begin taking required minimum distributions by April 1 of the calendar year following the later of: (1) the calendar year in which you reach 73 or (2) the calendar year in which you retire from the employer sponsoring your plan. At your death, your beneficiary will receive the money remaining in your account.

What are my distribution options?
Keep your money in the plan until a future date (subject to required minimum distribution rules)

Receive:

• A total or partial lump sum
• Annuity payments
• Periodic payments
• Partial lump sum with remainder paid as a periodic payment or annuity

Roll over into an eligible retirement plan such as a 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b), traditional IRA or Federal Employees Thrift Savings Plan that accepts such rollovers.

If you continue employment with the Commonwealth in a position not eligible for the ORPSS with no break in service, you may use your account balance to purchase VRS service credit.

If you are in ORP Plan 1 and take a full distribution from your account, you are only eligible to participate in ORP Plan 2 if you return to work for an employer providing retirement benefits through one of the VRS-administered or authorized plans.

Once I receive payments, can I change my payment amount?
Yes. Except for the purchase of an annuity, you may change your distribution option for the balance remaining in your ORPSS account. You can obtain a Distribution Form here or by calling VRS-DC-PLAN1 (877-327-5261).

May I transfer or roll over my account from another plan into this plan?
Yes. Balances from an eligible retirement plan such as a 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), traditional IRA or Federal Employees Thrift Savings Plan may be rolled over into the ORPSS. Eligible after-tax rollovers will be accepted. You may take a distribution from your rollover account while you are employed by the Commonwealth or a participating employer. For additional information, call the Plan Information Line at VRS-DC-PLAN1 (877-327-5261).

May I transfer or roll over my account if I leave my current employer?
If you leave employment with your employer and become eligible for a distribution, you may roll over your account balance into an eligible retirement plan such as a 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) or traditional IRA. However, an IRS penalty for withdrawals from these plans prior to age 59½ may apply. Note: Check with the plan that you are rolling into to ensure it accepts such rollovers.