of January 1, 2003 under IRS rules, you can generally contribute 100% of your Northwestern University salary up to $12,000, whichever is lower. Employees who have attained 15 years or more years of qualifying University service may make additional contributions above the limits specified in the table above if they failed to maximize their 403(b) contributions earlier in their employment.

All State employees have to contribute to a retirement fund. Because UNM is an educational institution all employees are required by law to contribute to the Educational Retirement Board.

You may change your contributions to your retirement plan at any time by filling out a Salary Reduction/Deduction Agreement and submitting it to Human Resources. Unless you specify a future date, changes generally take effect either the current or next pay period. To request a loan from your UA retirement account, you must first contact your fund sponsor (TIAA-CREF and/or Fidelity) and request a loan application.

Yes. You can contribute to a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA regardless of whether or not you have an employer-sponsored plan. In fact, IRAs are a great way to enhance your savings. While participation in a retirement plan does not change how much you can contribute to an IRA, it can affect whether or not you're eligible to deduct your contributions to a Traditional IRA on your tax return.

Anyone who has earned income may contribute to an IRA and also contribute to an IRA for a spouse who does not have earned income. However, not everyone can deduct his or her IRA contribution for his or her taxes each year. Since all Roth IRA contributions are made with after tax dollars, there is no deductibility opportunity for any person.

Yes. Participation in the TSP does not affect your ability to contribute to an IRA. However, because you are a uniformed services member covered by the uniformed services retirement plan, your ability to make tax-deductible contributions to an IRA depends upon your income and that of your spouse. Your IRA provider or your tax advisor can give you specific information about the different types of IRAs, the rules affecting each type, and how they apply to your situation.

Review Retirement Plan literature including the University's descriptive summary of the plan along with brochures and other materials published by TIAA-CREF and Fidelity Investments. Determine your retirement income goals - How much you feel you will need as income once you retire. Translate this figure to the amount you will need to contribute today in order to accumulate the necessary funds for the future.

There are many reasons for participating in the University's Retirement Plan including the fact that it is currently estimated that the Contributions you are making to Social Security will provide for only a small portion of the income you will need after you retire. The University's Retirement Plan is an excellent means of setting aside money you will need in the future.

First of all, I am note employed, so I don't know if there is such a thing like retirement for me, but if there is, I want to be a get-upper in Subway. What is this? You know, people fall asleep during the subway ride. I get them up when they need to get off. Especially at the Flushing-Main street stop, if you don't get off, you will be sent back to Times Sq. I am sure many people will appreciate my job.

Yes, individuals can contribute to a traditional IRA whether or not they are covered by another retirement plan. However, they may not be able to deduct all of their contributions if they or their spouses are covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan. [Note that contributions to a Roth IRA are not deductible and income limits apply.] See Publication 590 for further information.

Any employee on the regular payroll who is scheduled to work half-time or more (17.5 or more hours per week) and is at least age 24 may participate in the University's Basic Retirement Plan and make contributions which will be matched by the University. Any employee who is at least half time or more may participate in the Supplemental Retirement Plan.

You can direct contributions to two investment companies, TIAA-CREF and/or Fidelity Investments These two investment companies offer a full range of diversified aggressive to conservative investment funds. Voluntary (unmatched) or Supplemental contributions may be directed by employees enrolling in the plan for the first time to the Group Supplemental Retirement Annuity (GSRA) contract offered by TIAA-CREF. Voluntary Contributions may also be directed to any Fidelity mutual fund.

The IRS takes the position that the money you contribute to the Retirement Plan is to be used as income after you retire. While the IRS encourages your participation by allowing you to make Contributions and receive associated earnings on a taxed-deferred basis, there are restrictions on when you may access accumulated funds.

Yes, (effective January 1, 1999) you may borrow against RA, GRA, GSRA and SRA and both Basic (matched) and Supplemental (unmatched) Fidelity Contributions.

Can we borrow money from our retirement plan?A. No. You're only allowed to withdraw your retirement funds when: 1) You retire from the University. 2) You separate from the University.

any member who enters the System on or after January 1, 1979 must contribute an additional 2% of their salary in excess of $30,000.

Yes, you can contribute to a traditional IRA whether or not you are covered by another retirement plan. However, you may not be able to deduct all of your contributions if you or your spouse is covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan.