Plan Eligibility
If you are a Stanford employee, you are likely eligible to open a Tax Deferred Account (TDA) following your first regular paycheck. You may also be eligible to open a CRA after one year of employment. Your eligibility is based on a variety of factors. When you are ready to get started, enroll by visiting www.netbenefits.com or call 888-793-8733.

Note to Recalled Retirees (faculty & staff): If you're recalled into active employment you may have additional eligibility considerations. Contact Stanford Benefits for assistance at 650-736-2985, option 7.

Tax-Deferred Account (TDA) - Enroll At Hire
Get started right away by taking advantage of the Tax-Deferred Account (TDA), which allows you to start saving a percentage of your salary on a before-tax basis. The TDA is designed to give Stanford employees an immediate vehicle for retirement savings. You may enroll in the TDA as soon as you receive your first paycheck.

Contributory Retirement Account (CRA) - Automatic Enrollment After One Year
Celebrate your one-year anniversary at Stanford by saving in the Contributory Retirement Account (CRA) of the Stanford Contributory Retirement Plan (SCRP). This account is a flexible and robust savings tool that allows you to contribute a percentage of your salary on either a before-tax or after-tax basis.

After you have completed one year of service, Stanford provides a matching contribution for employees who contribute to the CRA. In order to help you maximize the match, you will be automatically enrolled in the Contribution Retirement Account (CRA) at a contribution rate of 4%.Your contributions will be invested in one of the Fidelity Freedom^® Index Fund Premier Class unless you choose another investment strategy.

You may view your CRA contribution amount now via NetBenefits^®; however, deductions will not begin until you become eligible (after completing one year of service). You can choose to opt out if you take action prior to your eligibility date by changing your contribution to 0%. You can also increase or decrease your contribution amount at any time via www.netbenefits.com or calling 888-793-8733.

Important: The only way to receive Stanford's Matching contribution is to participate in the CRA and contribute up to 4%. Your contributions do not automatically transfer from one account to the other. This means if you do not open a CRA, and direct your contributions into CRA, you will lose out on the Matching contribution.

Transition from TDA to CRA Without Losing Any Match
If you become eligible to open a Contributory Retirement Account (CRA) mid-year, remember to enroll and begin contributing at least 4% of your future contributions to your CRA. That way you can start receiving the university's matching contribution as soon as possible. You can continue to make before-tax contributions to TDA. Remember, contributions that go into TDA are not eligible for the match contributions and cannot transfer into your CRA.

Be aware: If you defer too much of your before-tax contributions to TDA, you may reach the before-tax contribution limits before deferring at least 4% to CRA. In order to receive the maximum matching contribution, you will have to contribute on an after-tax basis to receive the maximum matching contribution.

Your enrollment becomes effective once you elect the percent of your salary to defer into the plan. This initiates your paycheck deduction. Deductions generally begin the pay period after your enrollment.

Through automatic payroll deduction, you can contribute up to 100% of your paycheck on a before-tax (or after-tax) basis up to the annual Internal Revenue Service (IRS) limit, or 100% of your W2 compensation, whichever is less.

After your first year of employment, Stanford adds:

• Basic Contribution
  One percent of eligible compensation throughout your second year of employment, then an additional percent each year of employment to a 5% maximum, and



• Matching Contribution
  Another 1.5 % of your eligible compensation when you contribute at least 1%
  3% when you contribute 2%
  4% when you contribute 3%
  5% maximum when you contribute 4% or more

If you are age 50 or older, you have the ability to make additional contributions to your plan, up to the current IRS dollar limits. The current catch-up contribution limit for 2025 is $7,500.

Starting in 2025, the SECURE 2.0 Act increases the limit for you if you have attained age 60, 61, 62, or 63 in a given calendar year. The limit for 2025 is $11,250.

The IRS contribution limit for 2025 is $23,500.

You are always 100% vested in your SCRP contributions, Stanford's contributions on your behalf and any earnings.

Your beneficiary or beneficiaries will inherit your account in the event of your death. You should consider identifying a beneficiary when you enroll in your plan, and updating the information if you experience a life-changing event such as a marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or death in the family.

If you have an account with Fidelity, login to www.netbenefits.com, go to "Profile and Settings" in the navigation bar at the top of your NetBenefits^® page and click on "Beneficiaries".

You are generally allowed to withdraw money from your plan when you leave your employer, retire or become permanently disabled. Also you may be eligible for a distribution if you have a financial hardship as defined by your plan. Withdrawals may be subject to income taxes and, if they occur prior to you becoming age 59½, a 10% early withdrawal tax penalty.

When you leave Stanford, you can withdraw contributions and any associated earnings, or leave your account balance in the Plan. To begin the distribution process, contact your investment provider(s) directly. Be sure to file your application at least 30 days before the date you want your benefit payments to begin. All distributions are subject to a minimum 30-day waiting period after your termination date. In addition to the 30-day waiting period, allow at least 15 business days for the administrative review and approval process of your distribution request. Distributions may be subject to an administrative processing fee.

Note: Your account will be valued as of the date your distribution request has been fully reviewed, approved and processed. You bear the gain or loss in any market fluctuations that occur between the date you apply for a distribution and the date the distribution is made.

Online, on the phone, or in person, you have access to your account the way you want it. Log in to www.netbenefits.com virtually 24/7 or call Stanford Benefits Department at 650-736-2985 and press option 2, available Monday through Friday - except holidays 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific Time.

If you have questions concerning:

• Plan eligibility rules - Refer to the SCRP Summary Plan Description (or call the Stanford Benefits Department at 650-736-2985 and press option 2.)


• Stanford Retirement Manager enrollment process - Call a Retirement Services Specialist at 888-793-8733. The specialist can answer your questions and help you complete the steps necessary to begin contributing to your retirement plan.


• Your account or available investment options at TIAA - Call a TIAA Individual Consultant at 800-842-2776.