The Bates College 403(b) Retirement Plan is a 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity plan, which provides employees with an additional opportunity to save for future financial security for retirement.  All employees are eligible to participate in the Bates College 403(b) Retirement Plan; to participate employees must complete the appropriate on-line enrollment at www.tiaa.org/bates.

If you fail to enroll online and make investment elections your contributions will be defaulted into the Lifecycle Fund that most closely matches your expected retirement date at age 65.  Information on how to enroll, the Lifecycle Funds and the Qualified Default Investment Notice are available in Human Resources or found on our web-site at www.bates.edu/hr/benefits or at TIAA at the above internet address.

Because contributions to a 403(b) plan are automatically deducted from an employee’s pay before federal and state tax withholdings are calculated, the employee saves tax dollars now by having their current taxable income amount reduced.  These contributions are not exempt from Social Security or Medicare Taxes.  Employees can elect a percent of their earnings or a flat dollar amount (election of a flat dollar amount must exceed 6% of eligible earnings).  The amount that an employee may contribute to the Bates College Savings Plan is limited each year by law.

As an incentive to encourage you to save for retirement, the college matches eligible employee’s contributions by 1/2 up to a maximum college matching contribution of 3% of your salary (i.e. if you contribute 6% the college contributes 3%).  An eligible employee is one in a half-time benefit status or more or has completed 1,000 hours within an employment year.

To be eligible for the match, the employee must be enrolled in and contributing to the Bates College 403(b) Retirement Plan.  Eligible participation starts on the first of the month following one full calendar month of employment.

Complete details of the Bates College 403(b) Retirement Plan are described in a Summary Plan Description provided to eligible employees. Contact the Human Resources Department for more information about the Bates College 403(b) Retirement Plan.

• Investment Choices
• Lifecycle Fund Fact Sheet
• Qualified Default Investment Alternative Notice
• Do you Qualify for a Retirement Savings Tax Credit?
• Summary Plan Description
• 2020 Summary of Material Modification
• 2021 Summary of Material Modification
• Summary Annual Reports

Latest update: 07/09/21