Defined Contribution Retirement Plan 403(b)
The 403(b) defined contribution plan allows you to save for retirement by setting aside money from your paycheck.
Participation Start
This is a defined contribution plan in which all eligible employees of the University may participate on the first day of the month following their initial date of employment, provided all necessary paperwork has been completed and processed.
University Contribution Eligibility
Employees never covered by a 403(b) plan, who make a minimum contribution, will be eligible to receive the University’s contribution on the first day of the month following two years of employment.
Prior Service Credit
If an employee has been participating in a plan of an eligible employer which meets the requirements of Section 401(a) or 403(b) of the code or in a State Retirement Plan with an eligible employer immediately prior to their employment with the University and the employee otherwise meets the eligibility requirements for this Plan, each month of service with the eligible employer shall be counted as a month of service and a month of receiving a University contribution.
Roth 403(b) Contributions
Effective January 1, 2026, in addition to making traditional pretax 403(b) contributions, employees have the option to make Roth 403(b) contributions. Roth 403(b) contributions are made with after-tax dollars – so your contributions (and their earnings) can be withdrawn tax-free in retirement when certain conditions are met.
Unlike pretax contributions, Roth 403(b) contributions are taxed when the contributions are made to the plan and, subject to certain requirements, are distributed out of the plan tax-free. Any earnings on designated Roth 403(b) contributions will be distributed tax-free if the distribution is a qualified Roth distribution. A Roth distribution satisfies the qualified distribution rules if your first designated Roth contribution was made, generally, at least 5 years prior to the distribution date and the Roth distribution occurs after age 59½, disability or death. The required 5-year holding period is determined based on the first day of the year in which your first Roth 403(b) contribution is made.
For example, if you make your first Roth 403(b) contribution on February 1, 2026, you will satisfy the 5-year requirement on December 31, 2030. You do not need to separately satisfy the 5-year holding requirement with respect to different Roth 403(b) contributions to the Adelphi Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. Once the 5-year holding requirement is satisfied for your Adelphi Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Roth 403(b) account, all future Roth 403(b) contributions to that account are treated as satisfying this 5-year rule.
Yes, you can make both Roth 403(b) contributions and traditional pretax 403(b) contributions to the Adelphi Defined Contribution Retirement Plan 403(b).
Yes, the IRS sets annual limits on participant 403(b) contributions.
Note that your combined voluntary pre-tax 403(b) elective deferrals and your voluntary Roth 403(b) contributions count towards this annual IRS employee contribution limit. Each dollar you contribute to both accounts counts toward that same annual limit. The following chart illustrates the voluntary IRS employee contribution limits for 2025. The IRS limits are updated annually for cost-of-living changes. However, the annual 2026 limits have not yet been announced by the IRS.
IRS Voluntary Contribution Limits for 2025:
| Age of Active Employee in the Plan | IRS Voluntary Contribution Limit | Annual Catch-Up Contribution Limit | Total Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49 or younger | $23,500 | N/A | $23,500 |
| 50-59 | $23,500 | $7,500 | $31,000 |
| 60-63 | $23,500 | $11,250 | $34,750 |
| 64 or older | $23,500 | $7,500 | $31,000 |
Your age for a calendar year for purposes of this limit is your age on your birthday during that year. For example, if you turn age 50 on November 1, 2025, you are treated as age 50 for all of 2025.
Required Changes to Age-Based Catch-Up Contributions
Currently active employees who are 50 years of age or older can make age-based catch-up contributions (either an age 50+ catch-up contribution or the age 60 to age 63 “super” catch-up contribution). Based on a new IRS rule, starting January 1, 2026, if you earned more than $145,000* from Adelphi in 2025, your age-based catch-up contribution can only be made as a designated Roth 403(b) contribution (if this applies, you may not elect to make catch-up contributions on a pre-tax basis). Like other Roth 403(b) contributions, Roth 403(b) catch-up contributions are made on an after-tax basis and do not reduce your current taxable income. Roth 403(b) catch-up contributions (and earnings), like regular Roth 403(b) contributions, may be distributed on a tax-free basis if certain requirements are satisfied (must have a 5-year holding period and distribution must be made after a qualifying event such as attaining age 59½, death or disability).
* Refers to Social Security Wages (Box 3 of your 2025 W2), and this 2025 threshold has not been finalized by the IRS. Contribution limits are subject to change based on annual indexing.
Rollover Contributions from External Qualified Plans into Adelphi’s 403(b)
Effective January 1, 2026, employees who have a qualified retirement account (e.g., from a previous employer) will be able to roll over these contributions into Adelphi’s plan. Certain restrictions apply. We encourage you to speak with your investment advisor to determine if this step is right for you. Speak with your TIAA/Fidelity representative to learn more and start the rollover process.
Investment Options
Contributions can be invested through the following fund sponsors:
If you would like to contact a Fidelity consultant, please reach out to Serena Cole, Workplace Financial Consultant.
If you would like to contact a TIAA consultant, please reach out to David Flynn, Financial Consultant.
Employee Rights and Protections
As a participant in the Plan, you are entitled to certain rights and protections under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). ERISA provides that all Plan participants are entitled to a copy of the Summary Plan Description (SPD).
Plan Governance
This plan is regulated by federal law (IRS codes) and the plan document has been adopted by the University Board of Trustees and sets forth the terms and conditions for participation in the plan. No party may make any promises or commitments to any employee or applicant which violates the law or is not in accordance with the plan.
How to Enroll in the 403(b) Plan
- Employees can find the instructions for setting up a TIAA or Fidelity account in My Benefits on the eCampus portal, along with a Salary Reduction Agreement that needs to be completed and sent to mybenefits@adelphi.edu.
- If you are currently contributing to the 403(b) plan, you can change your contributions twice per year and once per quarter through My Benefits on eCampus. Beginning January 1, 2026, Adelphi will remove the limit on the number of plan changes that can be made in a quarter/year. Requests for a change to election percentages become effective on the first of the month following the University’s receipt of the new Salary Reduction Agreement or as soon as administratively practicable afterward.
Faculty 403(b) Plan Details
Nonunion Employee 403(b) Plan Details
All full-time nonunion employees will be required to contribute a minimum (mandatory) amount to the plan as a condition of employment after meeting the eligibility waiting period of 2 years of service either with a previously eligible employer or with Adelphi. See Summary Plan Description (PDF) for further details.
Part-time employees must meet a 1000-hour requirement in a calendar year to be eligible for the University Contribution. Refer to the plan document for more details.
Financial Guidance and Advice
CAPTRUST at Work is a free financial wellness program available to Adelphi employees, offering personalized, objective advice and educational resources to support your retirement and long-term financial goals.
Benefit Specialists
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Contact
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Levermore Hall 203
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Contact
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516.877.4970
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Levermore Hall 203H
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Contact
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Levermore Hall 203 AA