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The University’s supplemental retirement plans are available to all University employees, regardless of FTE and eligibility for other University benefits.  Employees may make pre-tax and/or after-tax Roth contributions to either or both supplemental retirement plans up to the IRS maximum limits.

A comparison of the plans is featured below. Information about each of the University’s plans is also included in the Retirement Planning Guide.

These accounts are not traditional savings accounts! There are strict rules governing the withdrawal of funds. You should only defer money into one of these accounts if you intend to save for retirement.

 
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Comparison of the Plans:

403(b) vs. 457(b)

Feature

403(b) Plan

457(b) Plan

Who Is Eligible

All employees receiving pay through the University payroll system
All employees receiving pay through the University payroll system

How to Enroll, Change or stop Elections

Log into UBenefits → Retirement Savings (Any time)

Log into UBenefits → Retirement Savings (Any time)

2026 Contribution Limit

Up to $24,500

Up to $24,500

2026 Age 50+ Catch-Up

Additional $8,000. Roth required if made more than $150,000 previous year. (Automatic)
Additional $8,000. Roth required if made more than $150,000 previous year. (Automatic)

Special Catch-Up
May be available for employees who did not maximize contributions in prior years. (Contact askhr@utah.edu to check eligibility)
May be available for employees who did not maximize contributions in prior years. (Contact askhr@utah.edu to check eligibility)
Minimum Deferral
$25/month ($12.50 per paycheck)
$25/month ($12.50 per paycheck)

Effect of Other Retirement Plans

Employee Contributions to any 403(b) or 401(k) count toward the 403(b) limit
Only contributions to a 457(b) count toward the 457(b) limit

Ability to Contribute to Both Plans

May contribute the maximum to both a 403(b) and a 457(b)
May contribute the maximum to both a 403(b) and a 457(b)
Contribution Types
Pre-tax and/or Roth (after-tax)
Pre-tax and/or Roth (after-tax)

Investment Providers

See: Vendor Chart

See: Vendor Chart


Loans
Loans allowed (up to two at a time). Apply through the investment provider; combined balance capped at $50,000.
Loans allowed (up to two at a time). Apply through the investment provider; combined balance capped at $50,000.

Withdrawals

See: Withdrawal Chart

See: Withdrawal Chart

Exchanges Between Providers
Allowed within plan (Fidelity ↔ TIAA)
Allowed within plan (Fidelity ↔ TIAA)

Rollovers Into Plan

Accepted from previous 401a, 401k or 403b (Contact investment Provider)

Accepted from previous 457b (Contact Investment Provider)

Rollovers Out of Plan

32 days post-separation (immediate if age 59½)
32 days post-separation (immediately if age 70½)

Enroll or make a change to your benefits

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