University of Illinois System

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STEP 1: Open Account with Fidelity STEP 1: Open Account with TIAA STEP 2: Enroll/Change/Stop
403(b) Contributions

Need help? See the 403(b) Plan Enrollment Guide.

Have you set up 2FA? You will need 2FA to access the 403(b) application. Go to https://identity.uillinois.edu/ to set up 2FA.

Enroll In, Change, or Stop Your 403(b) Contributions

For information about the University Supplemental 403(b) Plan, please see 403(b) Plan.

To ENROLL in or ADD a new investment vendor to the 403(b) Retirement Plan, you must complete BOTH Steps 1 and 2 below.

To MAKE CHANGES, including adding Roth contributions to your current 403(b) account, or TERMINATE participation in the 403(b) plan, go to Step 2.

STEP 1: Select Investment Vendor and Open Account

Learn about the two investment vendors and the different funds they offer. Review the company websites and read their fund prospectuses online. Or, you may call the investment vendors directly to obtain paper copies of these materials.

Next, open a 403(b) account with the investment vendor(s) you have selected. You may select one or both. Even if you have an account with Fidelity or TIAA from a previous employer, you are still required to open a new account as a University of Illinois employee.

  • You may choose more than one vendor and more than one fund within that vendor.
  • If you do not make a fund selection with the investment vendor, the default investment is an age-appropriate lifecycle fund. Note: This is not the case if you are adding the Roth option to your current pre-tax election through TIAA. In this situation, your fund mix for the Roth will mirror your pre-tax fund selection. Because the default lifecycle fund may not align with your personal investment goals, the University strongly encourages you to review the fund options available and select funds that fit your investment goals.
  • You can open your account online by visiting the appropriate vendor site: Please view the 403(b) Plan Enrollment Guide (pdf) for instructions on 403(b) online enrollment.
  • Write down your confirmation number from the final screen of the investment vendor's online enrollment. The confirmation number is required to complete the SRA in Step 2 below. If you lose or never receive your confirmation number, please call the investment vendor:
    • Fidelity: 800-343-0860
    • TIAA: 800-842-2776
  • If you do not have online access, you may call the investment company directly to obtain paper enrollment forms. Contact University Payroll & Benefits for investment company plan ID numbers and for other assistance. Completed forms should be sent directly to the investment company.

STEP 2: Complete the University's SRA Form

The "Salary Reduction and/or Redirection Agreement", or SRA Form, authorizes the University to withhold 403(b) contributions from your pay and remit the funds to the investment vendor(s) on your behalf. You must complete the SRA Form to:

  • Begin or restart contributions
  • Change allocation between companies (If you need to open an account with a new investment company, remember to complete Step 1 above first.)
  • Change the total amount of contributions
  • Change between contributing a flat dollar amount or percent of pay
  • Designate contributions as pre-tax or Roth (after-tax)
  • Terminate your payroll contributions

If you leave University employment, the online SRA cannot be used to defer your Leave Payout. A paper SRA must be used for this purpose.

If you are unable to complete the online Salary Reduction and/or Redirection Agreement (SRA) form for Step 2, you may print a copy of the SRA and return it to University Payroll & Benefits.

Please contact the investment companies for more information about funds, investments, or distribution options. The University does not provide, and any information provided does not constitute, legal, financial, or tax advice. You should consult with a legal, financial, or tax professional for assistance with your individual circumstances.