RHODE ISLAND BD. OF GOVERNORS, HIGHER EDUCATION

All eligible employees are required to begin participation in this plan no later than the second anniversary of their employment within the Board of Governors' system and attaining the age of 30. The preliminary service period will be waived for an eligible employee who owns an institution sponsored 403(b) or 401(a) retirement annuity, or who has five years of experience within his or her field (not including work done as a graduate student) and has reached age 30.

*There are six eligible employee categories. Contact your Human Resources department for a detailed description of each category.

• 90-24 Transfer
  
  You can directly transfer your 403(b) funds from one approved financial provider to another under your employer's retirement plan, or to another 403(b) annuity contract or mutual fund under another plan, as your plan and contract permit. This transfer is not considered a taxable distribution.
   
• Fixed Period
  
  You can choose to receive income for a set period of two to 30 years, depending on the terms of our contract and your plan's rules (and not to exceed your life expectancy).
  
  
  • Payments stop at the end of the period, during which you will have received all your principal and earnings.
     
• Interest Only
  
  You can receive the current interest earned on your TIAA Traditional Account in monthly payments. Your principal remains intact while you receive the interest.
  
  
  • These payments are generally available to individuals between ages 55 and 70½ when minimum distributions are required.
     
• 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.
     
• Limited Periodic Option
  
  If you're over age 55, you can withdraw cash up to 7% of your holdings in the CREF and TIAA Real Estate accounts.
  
  
  • Currently available only in plans funded with TIAA-CREF group retirement annuity [GRA] contracts that don't allow CREF cash.
     
• 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.
   
• Small-Sum Distribution
  
  If your plan doesn't otherwise allow cash distributions, upon separation from service you can withdraw your entire retirement savings if your TIAA Traditional Account value does not exceed $2,000 and your overall account balance is below a limit set by your employer's plan (typically $4,000). If your plan does allow cash distributions, upon separation you may be able to withdraw your TIAA Traditional accumulation if the value does not exceed $2,000. Talk to your benefits office for details.
   
• 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.
     
• TPA to Cash
  
  If your plan allows, you can withdraw your TIAA Traditional Account accumulation through a Transfer Payout Annuity (TPA) in 10 approximately equal annual payments. A lump-sum payment, subject to a surrender fee, may be available depending on your plan rules and the terms of your contract.

No taxes are due on pretax contributions and earnings made 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 59½ (subject to plan rules). If you withdraw funds before age 59½, they may be subject to an additional 10% early-withdrawal penalty.

In limited instances when you are making contributions to your retirement plan with after-tax dollars, you will not have to pay income tax on your principal. However, when monies are withdrawn, taxes may be applicable to any earnings and interest accrued.

For additional information and guidance, contact your tax advisor.