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457(b) Deferred Compensation

Employees earning 125% of the highly compensated employee rate or more may be eligible for a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Emory also offers a 403(b) Saving Plan, and a 403(b) Roth. Employees can make contributions to one or more of the following retirement vendors: Fidelity Investments, TIAA-CREF, and Vanguard .

Please note that Vanguard is the default vendor for Emory.

Emory's 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan

Eligibility

University: Regular full-time employees earning 125% of the highly compensated employee rate or more. For 2012 an employee must make $143,750

Eligible Salary From Which Deferrals Can Be Made:

  • Regular Earnings from Emory University
  • Summer School
  • Summer Research
  • Fulton-Dekalb Authority

How to Enroll

How to Make Changes to the Plan

You can change your contribution amounts by filling out a new 2012 457(b) Deferred Compensation Agreement with new amount and submitting to the Benefits Department.

If you want to add or change vendor selection, fill out a new2012 457(b) Deferred Compensation Agreement detailing your vendor selections and salary reduction amount, and complete an application for the vendor(s) you select. Submit to the Benefits Department.

Changes are made effective the first of month after receipt.

Effective December 1, 2009 you may move all or part of your investment balances in the 457(b) plan. Please contact your vendor to initiate the balance investment move.

How to Change Your Beneficiaries

Contact your retirement vendor(s) for changes to the beneficiaries.

Vendors

Fidelity Investments
(800) 343-0860
www.mysavingsatwork.com/atwork.htm

Vanguard
(800) 523-1188
www.vanguard.com

TIAA CREF Financial Services
(800) 842-2888
www.tiaa-cref.org

Descriptions

  • Participants defer compensation into investment funds they select.
  • Contributions are exempt from federal and state income tax, but FICA taxes are withheld.
  • Although investments are selected by participants, funds are owned by Emory until distributed and are subject to the claims of the employers general creditors.
  • Deferred amounts are not available to participants until termination of employment, except under a “qualified domestic relations order” (QDRO).
  • Accounts are subject to federal and state income taxes when distributed.
  • Participants select the method and timing of distribution, after termination (distribution must begin by age 70½).

Participation

Deferrals may begin:

  • The first of the following month following hire in an eligible status or
  • The first of the following month after meeting salary eligibility criteria.

Participants must complete a Deferred Compensation Agreement by the end of the month for the deferrals to be effective for the next month.

Contributions

Employee deferred compensation up to the limit defined by the IRS. Contributions are exempt from federal and state income tax at the time of deferral.

IRS Limits by Year: For 2012 - $17,000

There is a catch up provision for employees within three years of normal retirement age, which is 65. The employee can contribute the lesser of:

  • Twice the annual limit or
  • The annual limit plus the total amount of underutilized contributions from prior years

Distributions

Employees have up to 90 days after separation from Emory and all other entities (The Emory Clinic, Emory Healthcare or the Emory Children’s Center) to make a one time irrevocable decision on the distribution option and timing of distribution. Federal law does not allow 457(b) money to be rolled to an IRA. If you do not make an election for distribution, the money will be distributed in 5 equal installments over 5 years.

Distribution Options:

(1) Lump sum or (2) installment payments (monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual)

Note:

Hardship Withdrawals are not permitted.

Loans are not permitted.

Transfers from Other Plans

Not permitted.

Plan Information Documents

Retirement Plans FAQs Retirement Counseling
Investment Performance Chart 457(b) Plan Document
457(b) Plan Amendments 1,2,3,4 & 5  

Plan Forms

2012 457(b) Deferred Compensation Agreement 457(b) TIAA-CREF Enrollment Form
457(b) Fidelity Custodial Account Application 457(b) Vanguard Account Application
   

Emory University Benefits

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wed - 8:00am - 3:00pm
1599 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 727-7613 phone
(404) 727-7145 Fax

Disclaimer

Emory reserves the right to terminate, suspend, withdraw, amend or modify the Plan in whole or in part at any time. Further, Emory reserves the right to terminate or modify coverage for any group of employees, active or retired and their dependents or a class of dependents at any time.