The South Dakota Supplemental Retirement Plan, also known as the SD SRP, is a retirement program offered by the state of South Dakota to its employees. It is designed to provide additional retirement income in addition to the regular retirement benefits provided by the South Dakota Retirement System (SARS). The South Dakota Supplemental Retirement Plan is a voluntary program that allows eligible employees to contribute a portion of their income towards building a supplemental retirement fund. The contributions are made on a pre-tax basis, meaning that they are deducted from the employee's salary before taxes are calculated. This allows employees to reduce their taxable income while saving for retirement. The program offers several key benefits to participants. Firstly, it provides an opportunity for employees to save more for retirement beyond their regular pension benefits. This is particularly beneficial for those employees who wish to enhance their retirement income or have specific financial goals they want to achieve during retirement. There are two main types of South Dakota Supplemental Retirement Plan available to state employees: 1. South Dakota Supplemental Retirement Plan 401(k): This option allows employees to contribute a portion of their income into a 401(k) account. The contributions can be invested in a variety of investment options provided by the plan, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. The earnings on these investments grow tax-deferred until retirement, at which point they are subject to income tax. 2. South Dakota Supplemental Retirement Plan 457(b): This option is available exclusively to employees of governmental entities and certain nonprofit organizations. Similar to the 401(k) option, employees can contribute a portion of their income into a 457(b) account. The contributions and earnings are also tax-deferred until retirement, giving employees the opportunity to grow their retirement savings further. Both the 401(k) and 457(b) options within the South Dakota Supplemental Retirement Plan offer participants the flexibility to choose their contribution amounts, investment options, and beneficiaries. Participants can also make changes to their contributions and investment allocations over time. It is important to note that the South Dakota Supplemental Retirement Plan is not intended to replace or reduce the primary retirement benefits provided by the South Dakota Retirement System. Instead, it serves as a valuable supplement to help employees achieve their retirement goals and secure a comfortable financial future. In conclusion, the South Dakota Supplemental Retirement Plan is a voluntary program that allows eligible state employees to contribute a portion of their income towards building a supplemental retirement fund. With options like the 401(k) and 457(b), participants can choose how to invest their contributions while enjoying tax advantages. By offering additional retirement savings opportunities, this plan helps South Dakota employees enhance their overall financial security in retirement.