MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plan (TSA)

These are important details regarding this plan.

ELIGIBILITY

You are eligible to participate immediately in this plan.

CONTRIBUTIONS

The MnSCU TSA plan allows for employee contributions only. Contributions have generally been allowed on a pre-tax basis only. However, you now have available to you the ability to make Roth after-tax contributions as well. These after-tax contributions are included in your maximum contribution limits, plus any catch-up limits if applicable. For more information on the Roth 403(b) please click here, or call TIAA-CREF at 800 682-8969, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET)

EMPLOYER MATCHING

Minnesota State Colleges & Universities does not make matching contributions with this plan.

VESTING

"Vesting" refers to an employee's right, usually earned over time, to receive some retirement benefits regardless of whether or not they remain with the employer. Your contribution to this account will be 100% vested immediately.

INVESTMENTS

Your employer offers you a variety of investment choices from an array of asset classes. You can see a list of the investment choices under this plan on the Investment Choices page.

EXPENSES

Expenses vary from investment to investment. To learn about expenses associated with an investment, see a list of the investment choices under this plan on the Investment Choices page, and read the Fact Sheet or the prospectus for that investment.

DISTRIBUTIONS

You have a variety of options1 when it’s time to take income from this plan:

  • 59½ in Service

     You generally can withdraw funds, attributable to elective deferrals, from your account while still employed once you have reached age 59½. The amount you can withdraw is subject to your plan's rules.
     
  • Lifetime Retirement Income
    • One-life annuity — provides income for as long as you live.
       
    • Two-life annuity — provides lifetime income for you and an annuity partner (your spouse or someone else you name) for as long as either of you live.
       
    • One- or two-life annuity with guaranteed period — guarantees income for up to 20 years, as long as the period you choose does not exceed your life expectancy. It ensures that income continues to go to your beneficiaries for the remainder of the guaranteed period if you (one-life annuity) or both you and your annuity partner (two-life annuity) die before the end of that period.
       
  • Lump Sum

     You can withdraw all or part of your account in a single cash payment, depending on your plan rules and the terms of your contracts.

    • Your right to a lump-sum distribution from your TIAA Traditional Account may be restricted to taking 10 annual payments under those terms.
       
  • Minimum Distribution Option

     Generally, you must begin taking minimum withdrawals from your account by April 1 following the year in which you turn age 70½ or retire, whichever is later.

    • This can help you defer the minimum required distribution while keeping you in compliance with federal regulations.
       
  • Retirement Transition Benefit

     If your contract allows, you can withdraw, in cash, up to 10% of your accumulation at the beginning of a conversion to lifetime annuity income. The amount you withdraw will reduce your lifetime annuity income accordingly.
     
  • Single-Sum Death Benefit

      A set amount your beneficiary(ies) will receive from your retirement account if you die before taking income.
     
  • Systematic Withdrawals

     If your plan allows, you can choose to receive regular income payments (minimum $100) on a semimonthly, monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. You can increase, decrease or suspend the payments at any time.

    • These withdrawals are not available from TIAA Traditional Account balances.
       
This plan is designed to provide you with income throughout your retirement. Leaving money in your account may allow the funds to grow on a tax-deferred basis.

This plan allows you to receive a cash withdrawal. This may be restricted by the terms of your TIAA-CREF contracts. Taxes and penalties may apply.

Read More [+]

TAXATION

Because you make contributions with pre-tax dollars, Federal income taxes are deferred on supplemental plans until you begin taking withdrawals later on.

No taxes are due on contributions and earnings until the money is withdrawn, but because these plans are intended primarily for retirement, you can generally withdraw funds only after termination of employment or age 59 ½ (subject to plan rules). If you withdraw funds before age 59 ½, they may be subject to an additional 10% early-withdrawal penalty.

For additional information and guidance, contact your tax advisor.

Read More [+]

LOANS

Loans are available from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $50,000 from each employer. How much you can borrow depends on the amount you currently have in the plan and whether you have other outstanding loans. The maximum loan amount available to you is calculated based on the total accumulations in your contract.

Important: TIAA-CREF doesn't offer loans on Roth accumulations in 403(b)/401(k) plans. Roth accumulations will be excluded from the collateral when the loan is issued.

If you have accumulations in other employers' plans, you may be able to transfer or roll them over to this plan in order to increase your maximum loan amount if this plan allows it.*

* Prior to initiating a transfer of assets, be sure to carefully consider differences in features, costs, charges and expenses, services, company strength and other important aspects. There may also be surrender charges and tax consequences associated with the transfer. Indirect transfers may be subject to taxation and penalties. Consult with your own advisors regarding your particular situation.

Read More [+]

1 The availability of certain distributions may depend on the type of contract underlying your plan. Also, if you're married, your right to choose an option may be subject to your spouse's right to survivor benefits. Talk to your benefits office for details.

C2145

Investment, insurance and annuity products are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, are not deposits, are not insured by any federal government agency, are not a condition to any banking service or activity, and may lose value.

TIAA-CREF products may be subject to market and other risk factors. See the applicable product literature, or visit www.tiaa-cref.org for details.

TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC and Teachers Personal Investors Services, Inc., members FINRA, distribute securities products. Annuity contracts and certificates are issued by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) and College Retirement Equities Fund (CREF), New York, NY.

© 2013 and prior years, Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF), 730 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017.