Massachusetts OBRA Retirement Information Guide

Body

This document provides an overview of the mandatory "OBRA" retirement plan in which non-benefited faculty, staff, and graduate student employees participate.

Exemptions

Graduate student employees

During the academic year, graduate student employees are exempt from contributing to the OBRA retirement plan if they are:

• Enrolled in at least 6 credits, or
• Enrolled in 1-5 credits with full or half time status declared and reported by the academic department to the Graduate School.

During the summer*, graduate student employees are exempted from contributing to the OBRA retirement plan if they are:

• Enrolled in 6 or more credits through Continuing Education, or
• Enrolled in 1-5 credits through Continuing Education with full or half time status declared and reported by the academic department to the Graduate School.

* Summer registration must be completed by May 15 to qualify for exemption from OBRA in the summer.

No exemption from the OBRA retirement plan exists for graduate student employees working in excess of 34 hours weekly or who are registered for Continue Enrollment (Program Fee).

International students on J-1 or F-1 visa status are exempt from OBRA withholdings regardless of the number of credit hours they are enrolled in or if their employment exceeds 34 hours weekly unless they have been present in the U.S. for more than 4 calendar years.

Employees who are retired from the Massachusetts State Employees' Retirement System or Massachusetts Optional Retirement Program and are working in a non-benefited, post-retirement appointment are exempt from mandatory OBRA retirement contributions.