TO:             Deans, Directors, and Department Heads

FROM:           Richard Brown,
                Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations

DATE:           March 6, 2003

SUBJECT:        Retirement Enrollment at the Time of Employment



State law requires all full-time, regular employees enroll in a retirement
plan.  Most employees sign up for retirement during new-employee
orientation.  A few express a desire to review their options and send the
forms back at a later date.  Unfortunately, some of these employees forget
they need to return their forms.

To ensure the University complies with state regulations, effective March 1,
2003, new employees will be added to the payroll system once all required
documents are obtained.  The practice is consistent with the procedures in
place prior to the IRIS implementation.

On the UTC campus, newly employed faculty and staff are provided with
information regarding retirement plans and assisted in the enrollment
process during New Employee Orientation. New and prospective employees can
obtain information about the UT retirement program by contacting Kathy
Bonham (425-4221 or [log in to unmask]). Retirement information is also
accessible through the UT  Benefits and Retirement Services at  865-974-4341
or online at: http://admin.tennessee.edu/retirement/public/orshom~1.htm)

Thank you for your help in assisting us in this important process.