Wisconsin Deferred Compensation 457(b)
The Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC) 457(b) program 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 WDC program is voluntary with employees making the entire contribution; there is no employer match.
Eligibility
Eligible Employees
- Employees covered by the WRS
- LTE and Project employees
- Rehired annuitants
- Student hourly employees
- Graduate Assistants
- Short-Term Academic Staff employees
Ineligible Employees
- Employees-in-Training
- Fellows
- Interns
2025 Contributions Limits
- If under age 50: $23,500
- If age 50 or older at any time during the year: $31,000 ($23,500 + $7,500 catch-up provision)
Special Catch-Up
Employees within three years of the normal retirement age (typically age 65) may be eligible to use the Special Catch-Up Contribution provision, which could be as much as twice the basic amount. Employees may not contribute to both the Special Catch-Up and the Age 50+ Catch-Up options in the same calendar year, even if eligible for both. Catch-up contribution limits are calculated based on how much was under-contributed in prior years. Contact WDC at wdcquestions@empower-retirement.com or 877-457-9327 to determine if you are eligible.
Employees are responsible for monitoring contributions to ensure that they stay within the annual limits.
Employees can make the maximum contributions under both the WDC Program and the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP),
Fees
The monthly fee to participate in WDC is based on your account balance as follows:
| Account Balance | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|
| $1–$5,000 | $0 |
| $5,001–$25,000 | $0.75 |
| $25,001–$50,000 | $1.75 |
| $50,001–$100,000 | $4.00 |
| $100,001–$150,000 | $5.00 |
| $150,001–$250,000 | $7.00 |
| over $250,000 | $10.25 |
Distributions
Distributions from your account are available at:
- Termination from service
- Retirement
- Death
- Unforeseen financial hardship situations, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code
After you terminate employment or retire, you may elect a distribution date anytime up to April 1 of the calendar year following the year you reach required minimum distribution age or the year you terminate employment, if later.
You may receive your distributions as:
- A lump sum payment of your full or partial account balance
- Periodic ongoing payments (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually)
- An unforeseen emergency release, in the event that you or your beneficiary has experienced a severe financial hardship within the last 12 months.
Note: The determination of an unforeseeable emergency will depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. Regulations do not consider a planned or voluntary event to be an unforeseen emergency. For more information, review the Unforeseeable Financial Emergency Distribution Guide.
Rollovers and Transfers
You may roll dollars from a traditional individual retirement account (IRA), a 401(k), or 403(b) plan into the WDC. Likewise, if you cease working for a WDC-eligible employer, dollars from your WDC account can be rolled out of the WDC into these programs and may be rolled out to a Roth IRA account as well. Dollars rolled out of the WDC will be subject to the tax rules of the new plan.
Learn More about the WDC Program
Individual Appointments
Schedule an appointment online or call the local WDC office at 608-241-6604.
Group Sessions
Register for a WDC group session. Registration is required for group sessions.
Questions
If you have any questions, contact the WDC office directly at wdcquestions@empower-retirement.com or 877-457-9327.
Enroll
Enroll directly with WDC online or over the phone with the Plan Enrollment Code, available in the Forms & Publications section below. You may also call WDC for physical paper forms.
Changes To Your Enrollment
Once enrolled, you may change your contribution level, beneficiary designation, or investment choices by contacting WDC directly.
WDC representatives are available via phone Monday through Saturday at 1-877-457-9327. Press ‘0’ and follow the prompts to speak to a representative. For local assistance in Madison, answer ‘yes’ to the prompts Monday through Friday between 8 am–4:30 pm. You may also email WDC at wdcquestions@empower-retirement.com.