Using Quicken
Getting Started
- What do I need to do before my first Quicken download?
- What version of Quicken do I need?
- Can I download into Quicken for Mac?
- What if I am not using Quicken Deluxe?
- Can I download my Transfer Payout Annuity into Quicken?
- Can I download positions that I do not own?
- How much data is available for download?
- How should I classify my retirement accounts (CREF Stock, etc)?
- Where can I find the ticker symbols for the CREF accounts?
Troubleshooting
- What should I do if nothing happens after I click on Download to Quicken?
- What should I do if I get the message, “Quicken does not have an online account to handle these transactions. Make a selection below”?
- Why does the register show a negative cash balance?
- What happens if I lose my Internet connection while I’m in the middle of downloading?
- What if I am still having problems downloading my accounts into Quicken?
Getting Started
What do I need to do before my first Quicken download?
Quicken requires you to create a separate account for each of your TIAA-CREF retirement plans. Creating an account only takes a few minutes and generates a contract number consisting of your original contract number followed by a series of additional letters and numbers. You can reference our instructions for PC or Mac users for assistance.
What version of Quicken do I need? We support Quicken 2008 or newer versions. Please note that Quicken Basic does not support 401(k) or 403(b) retirement accounts. You can reference our instructions for PC or Mac users for assistance with your first download.
Can I download into Quicken for Mac? Yes, Intuit/Quicken 2008 or newer versions for Mac support investment downloads via Web-Connect. Read important instructions for Mac users.
What if I am not using Quicken Deluxe? The instructions we provide are specifically for Quicken Deluxe users. Other business versions are similar; however, some of the setup steps may be in a different order. We do not recommend the new user edition of Quicken for downloading TIAA-CREF account holdings since there is not an option for setting up a 401(k).
Can I download my Transfer Payout Annuity into Quicken? Quicken does not accept the download of annuity payout contracts such as Transfer Payout Annuity, Interest Only, and annuitized contracts.
Can I download positions that I do not own? It is possible to download historical prices for TIAA-CREF securities. Choose the type of security you would like to download from the Fund Research tab. Then click Download Data from the right-hand column. You can save the data file as a spreadsheet that you will be able to import into Quicken. Please reference your Quicken Help for import instructions specific to your version of Quicken.
How much data is available for download? Up to seven months of retirement account transactions are available. Mutual fund transactions are available for the last 120 days. If the number of transactions in the period you specify exceeds the system limit, you will be asked to narrow your date selection.
How should I classify my retirement accounts (e.g., CREF Stock)? Retirement account investments should be classified under “Other Investments” in Quicken.
Where can I find the ticker symbols for the CREF accounts? There are no ticker symbols associated with the CREF accounts because they are not publicly traded. This field can be left blank within Quicken.
Troubleshooting
What should I do if nothing happens after I click on Download to Quicken? Try deleting your temporary internet files and old bookmarks to our website. Also, make sure you have entered a valid date.
What should I do if I get the message, “Quicken does not have an online account to handle these transactions. Make a selection below”? This simply means it is your first download attempt. Match the TIAA-CREF contract number with the account created in Quicken. If you make a mistake and match up the wrong accounts you will have to delete the account and start over.
Why does the register show a negative cash balance? The account was incorrectly created as a brokerage account. Either edit the cash balance and change it to $0 or delete the entire account and follow the instructions for setting up a 401(k) or mutual fund account.
What happens if I lose my Internet connection while I’m in the middle of downloading? To be sure that you have successfully downloaded all information, it is recommended that you establish your Internet connection and download once again. You may receive a message stating that the file already exists-replace? Click YES.
What if I am still having problems downloading my accounts into Quicken? If you need help downloading your accounts into Quicken, please contact us at 866 207-6467.
Related Links
