Abstract: An improved electrical terminal having a tri-beam construction is adapted to be received in an electrical connector housing and includes two retention beams which provide high normal retention forces to a conventional male pin contact slidably disposed therebetween. A third beam is disposed substantially parallel to the two retention beams and constitutes a contact beam which provides a standard normal force and a contact surface which is selectively gold plated on a contact interface region defined thereon. The contact interface region defines an area in which the male pin contact and the electrical terminal establish an electrical connection. The connector beam is offset from the retention beams so as to define a space in which the male pin contact is retained.