Employees of Ohio public colleges and universities do not participate in the federal Social Security system other than contributions to Medicare. From your initial date of hire, you are assigned one of the Ohio state retirement systems. Based on your job classification you are covered by either the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS, for faculty positions) or the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS, for non-faculty positions).

If you are a full-time (100% full-time equivalent) employee, you can elect to change from the applicable state retirement system (STRS or OPERS) to the Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP).

Within 120 days of your eligible appointment date you must complete a Retirement Program Election form to make your choice between the ARP or remain with your assigned state retirement system (OPERS or STRS). During this election period, your retirement funds are deposited with OPERS or STRS and will stay with OPERS or STRS unless you elect the ARP. This decision will impact your retirement income and cannot be changed while you are employed at the University. Your election is irrevocable.

You must complete a Retirement Plan Election From whether you choose to remain with OPERS/STRS plan or change to the ARP. If you choose to enroll in the ARP, you must do the following:

1. Open an account with the investment provider of your choice. Employer contributions will be made to your account as a percentage of your compensation. In addition, a set percentage of your pay will be deducted each payroll period and invested in the Plan. In order to establish an account with Fidelity log on to Fidelity NetBenefits^® at www.netbenefits.com/universityofcincinnati and click “Start Now” or call the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 1-800-343-0860 to enroll in the Plan.

2. Log on to Fidelity NetBenefits^® to review and choose your service provider, investment elections and open your account.

3. If you wish to make additional voluntary contributions for your retirement through the university’s 403(b) Plan, please log on to Fidelity NetBenefits^® at www.netbenefits.com/universityofcincinnati and click “Start Now.”

The University does contribute to your account. You determine how these contributions are invested based on your individual goals.

You are immediately 100% vested in the contributions made to your plan account.

To help you meet your investment goals, the Plan offers you a range of options. You can select a mix of investment options that best suits your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The many investment options available through the Plan include conservative, moderately conservative, and aggressive funds. A complete description of the Plan’s investment options and their performance, as well as planning tools to help you choose an appropriate mix, are available online.

We encourage you to take an active role in the University of Cincinnati Alternate Retirement Plan and choose investment options that best suit your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. If you do not select specific investment options in the Plan, your contributions will be invested in the Vanguard Target Retirement Fund with the target retirement date closest to the year you might retire, based on your current age and assuming a retirement age of 65, at the direction of University of Cincinnati.

If no date of birth or an invalid date of birth is on file at Fidelity, your contributions may be invested in the Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund. More information about the Vanguard Target Retirement Fund options can be found online.

Target Date Funds are an asset mix of stocks, bonds and other investments that automatically becomes more conservative as the fund approaches its target retirement date and beyond. Principal invested is not guaranteed.

Loans are not available in this Plan.

Withdrawals from the Plan are generally permitted when you terminate your employment, retire, become permanently disabled, as defined by your plan.

Learn more about and/or request a withdrawal online, or by calling the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 1-800-343-0860.

If you elect the ARP and direct your contributions to Fidelity, it will be necessary for you to name a beneficiary. In the future if you experience a life-changing event such as a marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or a death in the family, it's time to consider your beneficiary designations. Fidelity’s Online Beneficiaries Service, offers a straightforward, convenient process that takes just minutes. To make your elections, click on the “Profile” link, then select “Beneficiaries” and follow the online instructions.