collapsed, click to expand | When can I enroll in the Plan? |
There is no waiting period. You can enroll in the Plan at any time.
collapsed, click to expand | How do I enroll in the Plan? |
Visit the University of Illinois microsite at www.NetBenefits.com/UofI403b and click Start Now or call the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 1-800-343-0860 to enroll in the Plan.
collapsed, click to expand | How much can I contribute? |
Through automatic payroll deductions, you may contribute between 1% and 80% of your eligible compensation as pretax contributions. Sign up online by accessing the “Contribution Amount” section under “Quick Links” on NetBenefits®, or by calling the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 1-800-343-0860.
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) contribution and after you have attained age 59½, or become disabled or die. Through automatic payroll deduction, you may contribute between 1% and 80% of your eligible compensation as designated Roth contributions, up to the annual IRS dollar limits.
Find more information online within the "Plan & Learn" drop down and "Learn" section of NetBenefits®.
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 January 1 – December 31 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 is $7,500. Going forward, catch-up contribution limits will be subject to cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in $500 increments.
collapsed, click to expand | What is the IRS contribution limit? |
The IRS contribution limit for 2025 is $23,500.
This limit includes both pretax and Roth contributions.
collapsed, click to expand | When am I vested? |
You are always 100% vested in your own contributions to the University of Illinois Supplemental 403(b) Retirement Plan, as well as any earnings on them.
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. 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.
collapsed, click to expand | What if I don’t make an investment election? |
We encourage you to take an active role in the University of Illinois Supplemental 403(b) 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 Fidelity Freedom® Index Fund Institutional Premium Class 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 Illinois.
If no date of birth or an invalid date of birth is on file at Fidelity, your contributions may be invested in the Fidelity Freedom® Index Income Fund Institutional Premium Class. More information about the Fidelity Freedom® Index Fund Institutional Premium Class 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.
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.
Learn more about and/or request a loan online, or by calling the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 1-800-343-0860.
collapsed, click to expand | Can I make withdrawals? |
Withdrawals from the Plan are generally permitted when you retire, reach age 59½, become permanently disabled, or have a severe financial hardship, 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.
collapsed, click to expand | Can I move money from another retirement plan into my account in the University of Illinois Supplemental 403(b) Retirement Plan? |
You are permitted to roll over eligible pretax, Roth and after-tax contributions from another 401(a) or 403(b) account or eligible pretax contributions from a IRA or Conduit IRA. A conduit IRA is one that contains only money rolled over from an employer-sponsored retirement plan that has not been mixed with regular IRA contributions.
Additional information can be obtained online, or by calling the Fidelity Retirement Benefits Line at 1-800-343-0860.
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 | 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 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 & Settings” icon in the upper right-hand corner, then select “Beneficiaries” and follow the online instructions.