The UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP) is a supplemental retirement savings plan that allows you to invest a portion of your income for retirement either on a pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) basis, or a combination of both. Participation in the UW SRP Program is voluntary with employees making the entire contribution; there is no employer match.
The UW offers SRP accounts through the following providers:
- TIAA
Plan ID Number: 100988
Phone: 800-842-2776 - Fidelity Investments
Plan Number: 82828
Phone: 800-343-0860
Learn more
Eligibility
Eligible Employees
- Employees covered by the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)
- LTE and Project employees
- Rehired annuitants
- Student hourly employees
- Graduate Assistants
- Short-Term Academic Staff employees
Ineligible Employees
- Employees-in-Training
- Fellows
- Interns
Enrollment
To enroll in the UW 403(b) SRP, research and select a 403(b) SRP recordkeeper(s) that can help you meet your future retirement needs, with the flexibility you need to manage your account. The recordkeeper websites have helpful information on investment basics.
Set up an account using one of the following methods. Detailed instructions for both methods are provided below.
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EZ Enrollment
Use the EZ Enrollment as a one-step process to set up your basic account with the recordkeeper and make your contribution election through your paycheck.
- Your contributions will default to an age-appropriate target date fund. You can update to other investments after the account has been established.
- Complete and submit to: benefits@ohr.wisc.edu.
Salary Reduction Agreement (SRA) form in Workday
Set up your account using the link(s) below based on your choice of recordkeeper.
- TIAA: Click the Ready to Enroll button, select the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program, and click Begin enrollment. Log in if you already have an account or click Register now to create one.
- Fidelity: Click the Get started If you have a login, enter your information. If you do not have a login, register as a new user.
Once you have established your account with the recordkeeper, fill out the Salary Reduction Agreement (SRA) to start your deduction.
- Log in to Workday .
- Click Benefits and Pay in the Menu.
- Click Change Benefits, then Supplemental Retirement Change.
- Enter the date you want your contributions to start. The change will take effect for the pay period that this date is in.
- Click Submit.
- A Change Benefits Election will pop up. Click Open, then Let’s Get Started.
- Click Manage under Supplemental Retirement Plan.
- Click Enroll in Supplemental Retirement Plan.
- Click Select on the contributions you want to start.
- Click Confirm and Continue.
- On the next page, you can enter the contribution amount as a dollar or a percent, then click Save. The amount you enter is the amount that will be taken out of each paycheck. If you want to come back to this page later, click Save for Later. Note that if you select multiple types of contributions (pre-tax and Roth), they will show up on individual pages, starting with TIAA Pre-tax. The top of the pop-up will state which contribution you are entering the amount for.
- Click Review and Sign, Submit and then Done.
You do not need to stop contributions when you reach the contribution limit. Your contributions will be automatically stopped by Workday once you reach the contribution limit.
Do NOT file a Salary Reduction Agreement until you have enrolled with your recordkeeper. If you do not have an account with TIAA or Fidelity before your first payroll deduction, your account will be automatically set up and your contributions will be invested in a Target Date Fund.
Maximum Contributions
2025 Maximum Contributions
- Age 49 and under: $23,500
- Age 50-59: $31,000 ($23,500 + $7,500)
- Age 60-63: $34,750 ($23,500 + $11,250)
- Age 64: $31,000 ($23,500 + $7,500)
Special 15-Year Catch-Up
You may contribute an additional $3,000 per year ($15,000 max over a minimum of five years) if:
- You have 15 years or more of service with the Universities of Wisconsin; and
- Your Universities of Wisconsin 403(b) contributions average less than $5,000 per year over the course of your Universities of Wisconsin employment.
By IRS rule, the $3,000 (per year) service catch-up is used first, before the age 50 and over catch-up.
Fees
The UW 403(b) SRP provides a low-cost way to save for retirement. All funds are no-load; there are no sales commissions or broker fees. Participants have access to low-cost institutional share classes through the core line-up.
In the past, recordkeeping and administrative fees were included in the expense ratios. In order to be transparent, beginning in 2022 these fees are charged as a quarterly flat-dollar amount per participant and will be automatically deducted from your account. You will see them listed as “fees” on your statements.
| Account Balance (as of the last day of the previous quarter) |
Quarterly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| < $5,000 | $0 | $0 |
| $5,000 to $50,000 | $4.50 | $18.00 |
| $50,000.01 to $100,000 | $9.50 | $38.00 |
| $100,000.01 to $200,000 | $17.00 | $68.00 |
| >$200,000 | $24.50 | $98.00 |
| Account Balance (as of the last day of the previous quarter) |
Quarterly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| < $5,000 | $1.00 | $4.00 |
| $5,000 to $50,000 | $6.00 | $24.00 |
| $50,000.01 to $100,000 | $13.50 | $54.00 |
| $100,000.01 to $200,000 | $23.50 | $94.00 |
| >$200,000 | $36.00 | $144.00 |
Distributions
You may withdraw your contributions (take a distribution) only when you:
- Leave employment with the Universities of Wisconsin, or
- Reach age 59½—even if you are still working, or
- Become disabled
Once you meet one of these eligibility requirements, you have three options to manage your UW SRP 403(b) program assets:
- Leave your assets with your provider in the UW SRP Program
- Roll over to another plan with a new employer or to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
- Cash out. Get immediate access to your retirement savings, minus 20 percent  withholding and possible early withdrawal penalties if under age 59½
To access your money, contact your SRP provider(s). Withdrawals from TIAA and Fidelity may be initiated over the phone; TIAA and Fidelity also provide online distribution requests.
Note: A signature from the UW Plan Administrator is not required for any of the current SRP providers — just complete the form, sign it, and submit it directly to the SRP provider.
Updating Contributions
You may update your SRP contribution amount at any time, Use this method to start, change, or stop your deductions. You can also choose a future paycheck date. The updates you provide will be sent to Madison Benefits Services for entry.
- Log in to Workday .
- Click Benefits and Pay in the Menu.
- Click Change Benefits, then Supplemental Retirement Change.
- Enter the date you want your contributions to start. The change will take effect for the pay period that this date is in.
- Click Submit.
- A Change Benefits Election will pop up. Click Open, then Let’s Get Started.
- Click Manage under Supplemental Retirement Plan.
- Click Select on the benefit you want to add or Waive the benefit you want to stop.
- Click Confirm and Continue.
- On the next page, you can enter the contribution amount as a dollar or a percent, then click Save. If you want to come back to this page later, click Save for Later. Note that if you select multiple types of contributions (pre-tax and Roth), they will show up on individual pages, starting with TIAA Pre-tax. The top of the pop up will state which contribution you are entering the amount for.
- Click Review and Sign, Submit and then Done.
You do not need to stop contributions when you reach the contribution limit. Your contributions will be automatically stopped by Workday once you reach the contribution limit.
Rollovers and Transfers
If you have funds in an account from a previous employer or you have funds with one of our frozen providers, you may benefit from moving that money to a current provider with the UW SRP Program. To get started, contact your former plan or employer to obtain distribution paperwork. You may also need roll-in paperwork from your current UW SRP Program provider. Contact your provider directly for this paperwork.
Name and Address Changes
If you are enrolled with a UW 403(b) SRP provider and need to make changes to your personal information, you must notify them directly. (Changing your name and address in Workday is also important, but Workday will not notify your UW 403(b) provider of these changes.)
Name change
Must be made in writing. Contact your provider to obtain a form.
Address change
Contact the provider via phone or in writing. Only TIAA permits online address changes.
Beneficiary Information
Employees are encouraged to designate a beneficiary(ies) to ensure benefits are paid according to their wishes. Whenever an employee has a life event, such as a marriage, divorce, or birth of a child, beneficiary designations should be reviewed and updated. Beneficiary designations can be changed at any time through your online account with TIAA or Fidelity. For security reasons, beneficiary changes must be made in writing.
Contact information:
For more information on beneficiary designations, see the Beneficiary Information web page.
Individual Counseling Appointments
One-on-one counseling sessions are a free service available to both participants in the program and those considering participation. In-person counseling is available in February at UW–Madison, UW–Parkside and UW–Whitewater.
TIAA
Register online or call 800-732-8353 to schedule a one-on-one counseling session with a TIAA representative.
If you choose to register online:
- Click on Schedule
- Choose either Register for TIAA access or Register for guest access.
- Choose how and when you would like to meet.
 Fidelity
Register online or call 800-642-7131 to schedule a one-on-one counseling session with a Fidelity representative.
If you choose to register online, the “Universities of Wisconsin” will pre-fill. Choose from three options: Virtual Appointment, In-person, or Phone; available time will be displayed.