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Retirement

Begin Planning Now!

Pacific's retirement program helps faculty and staff build financial security through a generous plan and employee funded tax-deferred savings opportunities along with educational and planning resources to help you understand and make wise choices.

403(b) Group Retirement Annuity Plan (GRA)

Pacific's Group Retirement Annuity Plan is designed to make saving for your retirement years simple and convenient. When eligible, Pacific contributes 10% and you contribute 5% of your earnings. You are immediately vested so all contributions, including Pacific's  belongs to you. Your contribution is made on a pre-tax basis so you realize immediate tax savings. Pacific utilizes TIAA to help you reach your financial goals for retirement.

One year of eligible service with an institution of higher education during the 24-month period immediately preceding the date of service with the University may satisfy service requirements. You must be at least 21 years of age to participate.

403(b) Group Supplemental Retirement Plan (GSRA)   

You can contribute additional pre-tax dollars to a supplemental plan. Regardless of age or years of service, all non-student employees are eligible to elect to participate in the Group Supplemental Retirement Annuity (GSRA). You may enroll any time and contribute up to 100% of your pay to a maximum of $19,500 for 2020. If you are age 50 or older at any time in 2020, you can also make an additional $6,500 catch-up contribution. A special 403(b) catch-up limit may apply to employees with 15 years of service. Contact TIAA directly to see if you qualify. Begin or change your deduction amount anytime during the year by visiting TIAA.org/Pacific.

You'll be able to go online to change the amount of your retirement plan contributions-at your convenience.  Just complete and electronically submit the salary deferral agreement.

Don't have an online account? Getting set up is easy. Visit TIAA.org/Pacific. Log in and then Register for access.

Making an after-tax contribution under the Roth Savings choice is another way to contribute to the GSRA plan. Review  more information  if this tax deferred option is right for you. 

Employees who also participate in another plan

Employees must combine contributions made to their 403(b) accounts with contributions made to all other plans in which they participate (other than 457 plans): 401(k)s and other qualified plans, and SIMPLE IRAs. The employee's total elective deferrals to all of these plans combined cannot exceed the annual deferral limit.

For more information please see IRS Publication 571.

Hardship Withdrawals

Hardship withdrawals from 403b plans are allowed by the IRS under the following conditions:

  1. Expenses directly related to the purchase of a principal residence
  2. Funds needed to prevent eviction from a principal residence or foreclosure of mortgage on a principal residence
  3. Expenses related to repair of damage to a principle residence incurred as a result of certain casualty damage (floods, hurricanes, etc.)
  4. Medical expenses that would be deductible under the IRS code for self, spouse and/or dependent
  5. Tuition, related educational fees, and room and board expenses, for up to the next 12 months of post-secondary education for self, spouse, and/or dependent
  6. Burial or funeral expenses that would be deductible under the IRS code for a parent, spouse or dependent

Employees should take note of three important factors before making a hardship withdrawal from their 403b plan:

  • While hardship withdrawals are not penalized by the IRS, the withdrawal is considered taxable income by federal and state governments.
  • Contributions Sources that will be considered under the Hardship withdrawal provision:
    • Employee Supplemental Contributions (invested in any fund).  
    • Employee Mandatory Contributions (that were initially invested in an Annuity and remain in an Annuity Investment).* 
    • Employer Contributions (that were initially invested in an Annuity and remain in an Annuity Investment).*
    • The amount you may withdraw is dependent on a very complex calculation. Please contact TIAA if you are interested in applying for a Hardship withdrawal in order for TIAA to complete this calculation an inform you of the amount available.
    • * Please note that these two contribution types will not be available for a hardship withdrawal if at any point they were invested in a mutual fund, per IRS Code restrictions                                                                                                                                               

      Review additional information from TIAA on the checklist Things you should know. Requests may be submitted directly to TIAA using the 403b plan Request for Hardship Withdrawal. (See submission instructions on page 10 of the Request for Hardship Withdrawal.)

Hardship withdrawals now online!

New TIAA Online Portal features make it faster and easier to process hardship withdrawals. Participants can now submit a hardship withdrawal request through the My Account tab on TIAA.org
  

        Online capabilities provide:

  • Greater efficiency-Save time and minimize paperwork
  • Convenience-Check a request status anytime
  • Faster service-Participants quickly receive their funds

Schedule a session with TIAA:

Begin now! Get started by scheduling an individual counseling session with a TIAA Financial Consultant, Log onto the TIAA website now or call 800.732.8353.

Spanish Sessions with TIAA

For additional information and learning opportunities visit tiaa-cref.org/pacific.

 

Plan Documents