Wittenberg University sponsors a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan to provide retirement benefits for eligible employees.  This is a voluntary plan available to help faculty and staff members supplement their retirement income.

Through the Plan's Fund Sponsor and Recordkeeper, TIAA-CREF*, a tax-sheltered 403(b) annuity account is set up and maintained for each eligible participant.  Participant 403(b) accounts contain sub-accounts governed by separate eligibility, contribution and distribution rules.  These sub-accounts are the Defined Contribution Account and the Tax Deferred Annuity  Account.

Eligibility

Upon hire, employees are immediately eligible to participate in the Tax Deferred Annuity Account.

Employees can participate in the Defined Contribution Account after being credited with one year of service.  Wittenberg will waive the one year eligibility period for new employees who have been credited with at least 1,000 hours of service in a 12-month period with a previous employer.

Deferrals

Upon reaching eligibility, employees will be automatically enrolled in the Defined Contribution Account and 5% of their eligible compensation will be deferred into the Account on a pre-tax basis.  The University will contribute an additional 7% into the Defined Contribution Account on behalf of the employee.  Employees can change or revoke the automatic deferral election at any time.

Employees who would like to contribute additional amounts above 5% or who are not yet eligible to participate in the Defined Contribution Account can make deferrals into the Tax Deferred Annuity Account immediately upon hire.  The TDA does have a loan feature and funds are available for distribution at age 59 1/2 whether or not you are still employed.

Documents

The Summary Plan Description (SPD) provides a summary of the main features of the Plan and is written to help make provisions of the Plan easier for you to understand.

The official Plan Document provides a full description of the plan.  In the event of any discrepancy between the SPD and the Plan Document, the official Plan Document will prevail.

Additional Information

Please visit the TIAA-CREF/Wittenberg homepage for additional information.

To enroll, please complete a Salary Reduction Form and Elective Deferral Agreement and return it to the Human Resources Department.

*Teacher Insurance & Annuity Association/College Retirement Equities Fund