Benefit Summary
GPA offers retirement benefits to help you plan for the future. These include both employer-funded and voluntary savings options, giving you flexible ways to build long-term financial security. Whether you’re contributing on your own or receiving support from GPA, these plans are designed to support your retirement goals.
Defined Benefit Plan – Pension
Employees contribute 1% of the first $9,000 of eligible earnings, then 1.5% of the remaining eligible earnings during the plan’s fiscal year. The accrued benefit (what you actually get credit for) is based on 2.25% of your first $9,000 in base pay, then 3.25% of your remaining base pay during the plan’s fiscal year. You are 100% vested in the amount you have contributed. You are vested in GPA’s contribution after completing five or more years in the plan or upon reaching the age of 55.
Defined Contribution Plan – 401(a)
Effective August 1, 2025, GPA will contribute 5% of eligible earnings towards your retirement. These contributions will be placed in your Defined Contribution 401(a) account. You have the opportunity, and are strongly encouraged, to contribute voluntarily towards your retirement. New employees will be “auto-enrolled” at 5%, but do have the option of changing that election amount. Employee voluntary deferrals will be made into the Deferred Compensation 457(b) Plan on a pre-tax and/or Roth (after-tax) basis. GPA will match up to 5% of contributions based on eligible earnings, dollar for dollar, and this match will be placed in your Defined Contribution account. Your deferrals are always 100% vested. Employer match will vest 20% each year until you have completed 5 years of plan participation. Employees can invest their deferrals in many different investment funds.
Deferred Compensation Plan – 457(b)
This plan is designed to allow employees to save funds for retirement in addition to GPA-funded retirement plans. Participation is completely voluntary. You can defer eligible earnings on a pre-tax and/or Roth (after-tax) basis. You can contribute from 1% to 100% of eligible earnings as long as it does not exceed IRS limits. The plan offers the same investment funds that are available in the Defined Contribution Plan. This plan allows you to roll over account balances from other qualified retirement plans. Although designed for retirement savings, there are some withdrawal options where the IRS will allow you to access your money in case of an unforeseeable emergency that creates a heavy financial need.
Accessing Your Plan on the Go
The Empower mobile experience puts your retirement plan at your fingertips. Use it to access and manage your 401(a) or 457(b) plan account when you’re on the go — right from your mobile device.
From the convenience of your mobile device:
- Quickly check balances.
- Change your allocation elections.
- Customize your communications preferences.
- Change your savings rate and more!
Get the Empower mobile app and connect to your plan whenever, wherever. Available in the App Store® from Apple® and on Google Play™.
Ready to begin your journey now online?
- Log on to empowermyretirement.com
- Select Register.
- Choose the I do not have a PIN tab.
- Follow the prompts to create your username and password.
If Empower doesn’t have your email or phone number on file from your employer, or if you have another account with Empower (with a former employer, for example), you will need to call to access your new plan account.