collapsed, click to expand | When can I enroll in the Plan? When is my enrollment effective? |
If you were previously contributing to the 401(k) Plan and are now eligible to contribute to the 403(b) Plan, there is no need for you to enroll in the Plan. Your 401(k) contribution percentage and investment options are carried directly over to your 403(b) account.
Once it has been determined you are eligible for the 403(b) Plan, you will begin contributing the first payroll of the following year. Your employee contributions will now be invested into your 403(b) account instead of your 401(k) account. Employer contributions, such as your annual Match and Service Contributions, will continue to be posted to your 401(k) account.
Should you want to change your contribution percentage, be sure to make the change to your 403(b) account going forward. If you want to make any other changes to either of your accounts, such as investment changes and beneficiary information, please remember they are two separate accounts and changes need to be made to each account.
collapsed, click to expand | Why have I moved from the Mercy 401(k) to the 403(b) Plan? |
Eligibility is based on your pay from the prior year and the tax-exempt status of your current employer. If your eligibility changed, your contribution amount and asset allocations from your 401(k) are now reflected in your 403(b) Plan.
The eligibility for 2024 was determined based on whether you earned over the IRS defined threshold for highly compensated employees (HCE)--$155,000 for 2024. The 2025 threshold will be $160,000. If you fall below the threshold for any given year, you will be moved back to the 401(k) Plan at the beginning of the following year.
collapsed, click to expand | If I previously worked for Mercy and have been re-hired, will I be auto enrolled in the 403(b) Plan? |
No. All re-hired caregivers are automatically enrolled in the 401(k) Plan. If you are eligible for the 403(b) Plan, you will have future contributions re-directed in the year following the year in which you became eligible.
collapsed, click to expand | Does Mercy contribute to my account? |
Mercy helps you get retirement ready by making two annual contributions: the Match Contribution and the Service Contribution.
The Match and Service Contributions are made annually on the last business day of February for the prior calendar year. Contributions are deposited to your 401(k) account. To be eligible for these Contributions, caregivers must be paid for working at least 1,000 hours and employed on December 15th of the same year.
The IRS sets a limit on the amount of earnings that can be used for benefit calculations during a year. The Annual Compensation Limit for 2025 is $350,000. If your annual earnings are above the limit, your earnings used to calculate employer contribution amounts for the year will be capped at this amount.
Match Contribution: Mercy will match a percentage of your gross pay based on the percentage you are contributing to the Plan.
When You Contribute | Mercy Will Match |
1% | 0.5% |
2% | 1% |
3% | 1.5% |
4% | 2% |
5% | 2.25% |
6% | 2.5% |
When Your Service Is | Mercy Will Contribute |
1-4.99 years | 1% |
5-9.99 years | 2% |
10-14.99 years | 3% |
15 or more years | 4% |
collapsed, click to expand | What does it mean to be vested? When am I vested? |
Being vested means the Match and Service Contributions are yours to take when you leave Mercy. You receive 1 year of vesting service for a calendar year in which you are paid for working 1,000 hours or more. You are always 100% vested in your own contributions to the Plan as well as any earnings on them.
All contributions made by Mercy have a three year vesting requirement, which means if you have three or more years of vesting service, the employer contributions are also yours.
Years of Service | Vesting Percentage |
<3 | 0% |
3+ | 100% |
collapsed, click to expand | How much can I contribute? |
Through automatic payroll deductions, you may contribute up to 75% of your eligible pay on a pretax basis, a Roth basis, or a combination of both, up to the annual IRS dollar limits. You can make changes to your 403(b) contribution percentage by logging on to Fidelity NetBenefits® at MyRetirementProgram.com or by calling the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 800-343-0860.
collapsed, click to expand | What is the Roth contribution option? |
A Roth contribution to your retirement savings plan allows you to make after-tax contributions and take any associated earnings completely tax free at retirement - as long as the distribution is a qualified one. A qualified distribution, in this case, is one that is taken at least five tax years after your first Roth 403(b) or 401(k) contribution and after you have attained age 59½, or become disabled or die. Through automatic payroll deduction, you can contribute between 1% and 75% of your eligible pay as designated Roth contributions, up to the annual IRS dollar limits. Learn more on NetBenefits®.
collapsed, click to expand | What is the IRS contribution limit? |
The IRS contribution limit for 2025 is $23,500.
collapsed, click to expand | What catch-up contribution can I make? |
If you have reached age 50 or will reach 50 during the calendar year and are making the maximum plan or IRS contribution, you may make an additional catch-up contribution each pay period. The maximum annual catch-up contribution for 2025 is:
Age 50-59 | $7,500 |
Age 60-63 | $11,250 |
Age 64+ | $7,500 |
collapsed, click to expand | What is the Annual Increase Program? |
The Annual Increase Program allows you to automatically increase your retirement contributions by 1% each year until you reach a total contribution of 10%. Generally, the increase will occur with the first paycheck of each new year. If you do not wish to participate in the Annual Increase Program, you can opt out at any time at MyRetirementProgram.com or by calling Fidelity at 800-343-0860.
collapsed, click to expand | How do I opt out of the Annual Increase Program? |
1. Go to MyRetirementProgram.com and log into your account.
2. Click on the Plan and select "Contribution Amount."
3. Click on "Annual Increase Program."
4. Click on the "Unenrolling from Annual Increase Program" and then click on the button at the bottom "Change Annual Increase Election."
collapsed, click to expand | Can I opt out of the plan? |
You cannot opt out of the Plan but you may change your contribution percentage at any time by logging on to NetBenefits® at MyRetirementProgram.com, or by calling the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 800-343-0860. Your 401(k) account remains open to allow for future employer contributions, such as your annual Match and Service contributions, if earned.
collapsed, click to expand | How do I change my contribution percentage? |
If you would like to make a change to your 403(b) contribution percentage, please log into your account at MyRetirementProgram.com or call Fidelity directly at 800-343-0860. You may change your contribution percentage at any time, and you may elect to have anywhere from 0% - 75% of your eligible pay deducted up to the annual IRS dollar limits.
If you would like to make your change online at MyRetirementProgram.com and have never logged into your account before, you will need to click on the “Register” tab at the top of the MyRetirementProgram page and follow the prompts to set up your username and password.
Once logged into your MyRetirementProgram “NetBenefits®” page, select the Plan, then "Contributions." Follow the on-screen prompts.
Changes will be effective either one or two pay periods after you make the change depending on where the change request falls within the pay cycle.
collapsed, click to expand | How are my contributions invested? |
Initially, all accounts will be enrolled in the ProManage PROgram, an account management service that provides an automatic investment tool, which not only determines an investment mix for you, but also monitors and rebalances your account each year. All accounts are initially managed by ProManage until you elect otherwise by contacting the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 800-343-0860. If you previously opted out of ProManage while contributing to the 401(k) Plan, there is no need to opt out again now that you are in the 403(b) Plan. Your same investments have been carried over to your 403(b) account. We do encourage you to take an active role in the MyRetirement 403(b) Plan and choose investment options that best suit your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Should you want to choose your own investments, please see the next question on opting out of the ProManage PROgram.
collapsed, click to expand | Can I opt out of the ProManage PROgram and choose my own investments? |
If you would like to choose your own investments, you will need to opt out of the ProManage PROgram by contacting Fidelity at 800-343-0860 and choose your investment options. You cannot opt out online. Once you have opted out, you can then make investment option changes on NetBenefits at MyRetirementProgram.com.
ProManage and Fidelity Investments are independent entities and are not legally affiliated.
collapsed, click to expand | What are my investment options? |
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.
Review the Investment Options section of this booklet or go to MyRetirementProgram.com for details.
collapsed, click to expand | What if I don't make an investment election? |
We encourage you to take an active role in the MyRetirement 403(b) Plan and choose investment options that best suit your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. If you have not selected specific investment options in the Plan, you will be enrolled in the ProManage PROgram™, which not only determines an investment mix for you, but also monitors and rebalances your account each year. This is the default option—all accounts are initially managed by ProManage until you elect otherwise by contacting the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 800-343-0860. You cannot opt out of the service online. Please review the ProManage brochure (posted on the MyRetirement Page on Baggot Street under the Benefits & Services hub and at MyRetirementProgram.com) for more information on how ProManage determines your investment mix and what the fees are.
collapsed, click to expand | Is there a self-directed brokerage option in my plan? |
For those desiring the most investment flexibility and choice, the Plan offers Fidelity BrokerageLink®, a self-directed brokerage account, which provides you with the opportunity to select from thousands of mutual funds and other investment options - beyond those offered in the standard plan line up. More information about BrokerageLink, including an overview, the commission schedule, and a fact sheet that outlines the Plan-level restrictions and other settings, is available online at NetBenefits. Select the Plan then click on "BrokerageLink."
collapsed, click to expand | What fees will be charged to my account for the administrative expenses of the Plan? |
Plan administrative fees may include recordkeeping, accounting, trustee, education, and other administrative fees and expenses associated with maintaining the Plans. Administrative fees for the MyRetirement 403(b) Plan are $30 per participant, per year, deducted from your account quarterly. This fee is in addition to administrative fees deducted from other accounts.
collapsed, click to expand | How do I designate my beneficiary? |
If you have not already selected your beneficiaries, or if you have experienced a life-changing event such as a marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or a death in the family, it’s time to consider or reconsider your beneficiary designations. Fidelity’s Online Beneficiaries Service, offered through Fidelity NetBenefits®, provides 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.
If you do not have access to the Internet or you prefer to complete your beneficiary information by paper form, please call 800-343-0860.
NOTE: You will need to make a separate beneficiary election for each Fidelity account you may have.
collapsed, click to expand | Can I take a loan from my account? |
Although your plan account is intended for the future, you may borrow from your account for any reason. Please note you may have one loan in both the 401(k) and 403(b). However, the total loan amount may not exceed $50,000.
Generally, the Plan allows you to borrow up to 50% of your vested account balance. The minimum loan amount is $1,000 and a loan must not exceed $50,000. You then pay the money back into your account, plus interest, through automatic payments from your bank account. Any outstanding loan balances over the previous 12 months may reduce the amount you have available to borrow. The cost to initiate a loan is $50, and there is a quarterly maintenance fee of $6.25. The initiation and maintenance fees will be deducted directly from your individual plan account. If you fail to repay your loan (based on the original terms of the loan), it will be considered in “default” and treated as a distribution, making it subject to income tax and possibly a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Defaulted loans may also affect your eligibility to request additional loans. Be sure you understand the Plan guidelines and impact of taking a loan before you initiate a loan from your plan account.
To learn more about or to request a loan, log on to MyRetirementProgram.com or call the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 800-343-0860.
collapsed, click to expand | Can I make withdrawals? |
Withdrawals from the Plan are generally permitted when you terminate your employment, retire, reach age 59½, experience a recent birth or adoption, become permanently disabled, or have severe financial hardship, as defined by your Plan.
If you leave employment and have not attained age 59-1/2, you may request a distribution any time following a 30-day waiting period. All other withdrawals will be processed as soon as possible following the receipt and approval of the applicable request. If you have previously rolled money into your account from another employer, you may take a distribution from the rollover account at any time.
Once eligible for a withdrawal, you may withdraw 100% of your employee contributions and associated earnings and if vested, you can also withdraw the employer contributions and earnings. If your vested account balance is greater than $1,000, you may leave it in the Plan. If it is less than $1,000 and you take no action, your balance will automatically be distributed to you.
Distributions are subject to a mandatory 20% federal tax withholding and if applicable, mandatory state taxes unless you are rolling over all or a portion of your account into an individual retirement account (IRA) or another employer’s retirement plan. The rollover portion is not subject to taxes until a distribution is made from the account. (You may owe more or less when you file your income taxes.) If you are under age 59½, the taxable portion of your withdrawal is also subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty, unless you qualify for an exception to this rule. To learn more about and/or to request a withdrawal, log on to Fidelity NetBenefits® at MyRetirementProgram.com or call the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 800-343-0860. The plan document and current tax laws and regulations will govern in case of a discrepancy. Be sure you understand the tax consequences and your plan’s rules for distributions before you initiate a distribution. You may want to consult your tax advisor about your situation.
Learn more about and/or request a withdrawal online, or by calling the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 800-343-0860, or you may request a withdrawal by going online to your NetBenefits® account at MyRetirementProgram.com.
collapsed, click to expand | Can I move money from another retirement plan into my account in the MyRetirement 403(b) Plan? |
You are permitted to roll over eligible Roth contributions from another 401(k) or 403(b) Plan. Eligible pretax contributions from a 401(k) Plan, 403(b) Plan, 401(a) Plan, conduit or traditional IRA rollovers may also be permitted.
Additional information can be obtained online, or by calling the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 800-343-0860.
Be sure to consider all your available options and the applicable fees and features of each before moving your retirement assets.
collapsed, click to expand | Is my account balance in this Plan subject to a Domestic Relations Order (DRO)? |
Your benefit under the Plan may be subject to the terms of a DRO. Access the Fidelity DRO Guidelines at qdro.fidelity.com for further information on submitting a 403(b) DRO for review or contact Fidelity at 800-343-0860.
With the exception of the DRO, you may not assign or pledge your right to future payments from the Plan, or use the benefits as collateral for a loan.
collapsed, click to expand | What happens if I become disabled? |
Distributions from the Plan are not available solely because of disability—you must terminate employment with Mercy to be eligible for distributions.
collapsed, click to expand | What happens upon my death? |
After your death, the value of your account will be paid to your named beneficiaries following the completion of the necessary paperwork.
If a beneficiary election is not on file, the Plan defines payment to be made to your spouse; if no spouse, to your surviving children and if no spouse or children, to your estate. In order to simplify the distribution process and ensure your account is paid in accordance with your wishes, it is still vital to provide beneficiary information for your MyRetirement Program account(s). Note: Life events that occur after naming of beneficiaries may void prior beneficiary elections.
collapsed, click to expand | Where do I get more information? |