Voluntary Retirement Plans
Human Resources
The Roth Contribution Option
Looking to boost your retirement nest egg or reduce your taxable income during retirement?
Effective January 1, 2026, 榴莲视频成人APP employees may now choose to make Roth contributions to both the 403(b) and 457(b) plans. A Roth option permits you to:
- Contribute after-tax dollars now.
- Take tax-free distributions later (if qualified conditions are met).
- Reduce taxable income during retirement and possibly help reduce taxation of Social Security benefits.
Voluntary Savings Plans (403b & 457b)
榴莲视频成人APP offers two voluntary defined contribution plans to help you save for the future. You may contribute to one or both plans simultaneously.
How do the plans differ? (Click to expand)
| 403(b) | 457(b) | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving Your Job (Separation from Service) |
A 10% early withdrawal federal tax penalty generally applies to distributions made before age 59陆. | No 10% early withdrawal penalty applies when you leave your job, regardless of your age. |
| While Still Employed (Prior to age 59陆) |
Withdrawals are highly restricted and generally only allowed for a qualifying Financial Hardship. | Withdrawals are strictly prohibited unless you experience a severe Unforeseeable Emergency. |
| What Counts as an Emergency? |
Less Restrictive. Qualifying hardships include:
|
Highly Restrictive. Must be an unexpected event beyond your control:
Note: Buying a home or paying for college do not qualify as unforeseeable emergencies. |
403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
Visit 403bCompare to view approved vendors, or utilize the provider enrollment material below:
- Fidelity Investments: Enrollment Guide
457(b) Retirement Savings Plan
Offers a separate limit from the 403(b), doubling your savings capacity. Because there is no 403bCompare equivalent for 457(b) plans, please review the vendor-specific materials below:
- CalSTRS Pension II: Program Highlights
- Corebridge (VALIC): Plan Information
- Empower: Plan Highlights & Enrollment Postcard
View Approved 403(b) & 457 Vendors (Click to expand)
The following vendors have signed information-sharing and hold-harmless agreements with 榴莲视频成人APP and are approved under IRS regulations. New enrollments, payroll contributions, and transfers/exchanges to and from the vendors are accepted. Loans and withdrawals are obtainable if the vendor allows for them. (Updated Oct 2, 2024)
| Code | Vendor / Plan | Loans/Hardship | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| AST | CalSTRS Pension II Program (VOYA Financial) - 403(b) Plan | Loans & hardship | (415) 882-3667 |
| A60 | CalSTRS Pension II Program (VOYA Financial) - 457 Plan | Loans & Hardship | (888) 394-2060 |
| AFS | FIDELITY SERVICE COMPANY | NONE | (800) 328-6608 |
| AFT | FRANKLIN TEMPLETON Bank & Trust, FSB | Hardship | (800) 527-2020 |
| AGA | Mass Mutual Ascend (formerly Great American) | Loans & hardship | (800) 789-6771 |
| R57 | EMPOWER (formerly Mass Mutual) - 457 Plan | Loans & hardship | (650) 583-8815 |
| ALS | National Life Group (formerly LIFE INSURANCE OF THE SOUTHWEST) | Loans & hardship | (800) 579-2878 |
| AIR | METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (METLIFE) | Loans & hardship | (650) 274-1756 |
| AVA/A57 | Corebridge (VALIC 403(b) & 457) Plan | Loans & hardship | (650) 922-2031 |
Before You Stop Your Contributions, Read This!
If you currently contribute to a 403(b) vendor that is not registered on the 403bCompare.com Web site or if you are planning on changing employers, you should not stop your contributions until you've read California Education Code, section 25113.
25113: A local school district, community college district, or county office of education may not forward annuity or custodial account consideration to the vendor of any unregistered 403(b) product, except insofar as an employee continues making contributions to an unregistered product or products purchased or entered into prior to the implementation date of the impartial investment bank, as established by this chapter.
It is highly possible that once you stop your current contributions, you may not be able to start contributing to that same vendor if they are not on the 403bCompare.com Web site. You may also lose the ability to contribute to the same vendor if you change employers and your new employer does not have that vendor on their approved vendor list. Therefore, you should make every effort to verify this information and make appropriate changes. Please speak to your payroll or 403(b) representative regarding their administrative process. The District does not endorse or assume any responsibility for these vendors. Consult your own tax advisor or representative of these vendors if you are interested in a TSA program.
2026 Contribution Limits
Note: High earners (wages >$150,000 in 2025) must make Age 50+ catch-up contributions as Roth contributions starting in 2026.
| Contribution Type | 2026 Limit (Per Plan) |
|---|---|
| Standard Annual Limit (Under Age 50) |
$24,500 |
| Age 50+ Catch-Up (Age 50 or older by 12/31/2026) |
$32,500 ($24,500 + $8,000 catch-up) |
| Special Catch-Up (Ages 60, 61, 62, 63) |
$36,500 ($24,500 + $12,000 catch-up) |
457(b) Note: 457(b) participants within 3 years of normal retirement age may be eligible for a distinct "Traditional 3-Year Catch-Up" (up to $49,000 in 2026). You cannot use both the Age 50+ (or Age 60-63) catch-up and the 3-Year catch-up in the same year.
How to Enroll or Change Contributions
Enrollment for both Pre-Tax and Roth options follows the same simplified process.
- Select a Vendor: Ensure your account is open with an approved vendor (for 403b) or the District plan (for 457b). All current vendors support the new Roth option.
- Submit Agreement (Sign up, Change, or Cancel):
- 403(b): Use the .
- 457(b): Use the .
- Make Your Election: Indicate the amount and check the appropriate box for either Pre-Tax or Roth.
- Submit: Both online 403(b) and 457(b) forms are processed automatically upon digital submission.
Roth Option: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Roth contribution and when is it available?
A Roth contribution is made on an after-tax basis. While contributions are not tax-deductible today, qualified withdrawals of both contributions and earnings are generally tax-free in retirement. The option is available effective January 1, 2026 for both 403(b) and 457(b) plans.
Who should consider Roth contributions?
We encourage you to carefully assess the advantages based on your personal financial situation. A Roth account generally appeals to those who:
- Expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than they are now.
- Want tax diversity (having both taxable and tax-free buckets of money) and flexibility in retirement.
- Are financially stable, but expect general tax rate increases in the future.
- Cannot contribute to a Roth IRA due to income limits.
Employees should consider consulting a financial or tax advisor.
Does choosing Roth affect my total contribution limit?
No. Roth and pre-tax contributions are combined and count toward the same annual IRS contribution limit for that specific plan (e.g., the $24,500 limit for the 403(b) includes both your pre-tax and Roth 403(b) contributions combined).
Do Roth rules differ between the 403(b) and 457(b)?
The basic Roth tax treatment is the same; however, distribution timing and penalties differ. Notably, for 457(b) plans, distributions taken after separation from service are generally not subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty, regardless of age (though taxes on earnings may apply if it's not a "qualified" Roth distribution).