Understanding the University's Voluntary 403(b) Retirement Program
The University of èƵ offers a Voluntary 403(b) Retirement Program to all employees - including temporary and student employees. This article outlines the benefit available as well as how to sign up. The University also provides a Universal Availability notice every November as a reminder of this benefit.
is available to all UA employees as a retirement vehicle to set aside additional pre- or post-tax funds for retirement. Each year, the University is required to provide a Universal Availability notice detailing the voluntary tax-deferred annuity (TDA) program and Roth program.
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What is the Voluntary 403(b)?
Can I contribute pre-tax dollars or post-tax dollars to this account?
Are there limits to what I can contribute each year?
Do the limits apply to both the TDA and Roth option separately?
Can I participate in this program?
What are my options for fund sponsors (in other words, where does this money go)?
What do I need to do before I start contributing to a Voluntary 403(b)?
I already contribute to a 403(b) but I need to make a change. What do I do?
Is there an employer match to the contributions I make to my Voluntary 403(b)?
How do I know a Voluntary 403(b) is right for me?
What is the Voluntary 403(b)?
The Voluntary 403(b) allows any UA employee, including student and temporary employees, to set aside retirement funds. Pay yourself first!
Can I contribute pre-tax dollars or post-tax dollars to this account?
Both! The Voluntary 403(b) is set up for a Tax-deferred Annuity (TDA) option for pre-tax funds and a Roth option for post-tax funds. You can have either or both accounts.
Are there limits to what I can contribute each year?
Yes, the IRS provides updated amounts each calendar year. Age based catch-ups are allowed based on the age you are as of December 31 of the calendar year. For 2025, the limits are as follows:
- $23,500 for those under 50 years
- $31,000 for those over 50 years
- $34,750 for those between 60-63
Do the limits apply to both the TDA and Roth option separately?
No. You can only contribute up to the maximum limits listed above, even if you have both a TDA and Roth option open at the same time.
Can I participate in this program?
Yes! Any active employee can participate in either the TDA or the Roth option (or both).
What are my options for fund sponsors (in other words, where does this money go)?
UA currently partners with seven (7) fund sponsors. You can choose from one of these fund sponsors for your TDA option. If you are electing Roth, the only available option is with TIAA.
What do I need to do before I start contributing to a Voluntary 403(b)?
There are two things that must be completed before you can begin contributions.
- You must open your account with your preferred fund sponsor. Complete this step first.
- Once you have selected your fund sponsor and you have confirmed your account is active and ready to receive contributions, complete the 403(b) form designating your biweekly contributions.
I already contribute to a 403(b) but I need to make a change. What do I do?
You can start, stop, or change your 403(b) at anytime. There are no restrictions. Review our recent article to learn more about updating your 403(b). You can also submit more than one form at once to update your contributions throughout the year (for example, if you want to contribute $100 biweekly until November, and then reduce to $10 biweekly until January where you will increase again to $300 biweekly, you can submit each of these requests ahead of time).
- Changing amounts only: Complete the 403(b) form
- Stopping your contributions only: Complete the 403(b) form
- Updating your fund sponsor to a new fund sponsor: Complete steps 1 and 2 in the question immediately above.
To create a new 403(b) account with TIAA:
- Click on the yellow “Enroll now” button
- On the right, click on the button “Choose plan” to select the UA 403(b) (Pre-tax & Roth) option. If needed use plan number 102246
- Click on the yellow “Begin Enrollment” button or "Log in"
- Click on “Register now” and enter your information to add a 403(b) account, or, if you already have an account with another UA retirement plan, use your log in and continue
To create a new 403(b) account with Fidelity:
- Click on the green “Start now” button
- Click on the green “Get started” button
- Click on the white “Register as a new user” button and enter your information to add a 403(b) account, or, if you already have an account with another UA retirement plan, use your log in and continue
To create a new 403(b) account with Lincoln Financial Group:
- Go to page to be connected with a financial professional, or
- Contact this local Fairbanks . They can work with UA employees to set up a new 403(b) account with Lincoln
To create a new 403(b) account with Corebridge:
- Go to the
- Click on the purple “enroll now” button
- Enter the “University of èƵ” in the employer search bar and click next
- Enter your information to create the 403(b) account. If needed use plan number 45700 from the employer drop down list.
To create a new 403(b) account with American Funds Group:
- Go to the or
- Fill out “Basic Individual”
- On the 403(b) form use Plan ID 211047994 and EIN 92-6000147
- Submit to American Funds Group at the fax number on the form
To create a new 403(b) account with Vanguard:
- Go to the webpage.
- Enter the University of èƵ plan number V10000474 in the employer drop down list.
- Follow the steps to enroll in a 403(b)
To create a new 403(b) account with VOYA:
- Go to the
- Enter plan number VT1497
- Enter verification number 021569
- Enter your information to create a 403(b) account
Is there an employer match to the contributions I make to my Voluntary 403(b)?
No.
How do I know a Voluntary 403(b) is right for me?
Review our article on how to meet with a financial advisor. They can help walk through your current retirement plan(s) and provide you with additional information on how the Voluntary 403(b) can help you meet your financial goals.
Emailed via benefits newsletter on 8/26/2025.
Published via UA News on 9/5/2025.
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