Employee Benefits
UW TSA 403(b) Question and Answer Guide
The TSA 403(b) Question and Answer Guide is a list of frequently asked questions and describes the Program in detail. It provides excellent information for employees looking to start their UW 403(b) and those currently participating in the Program. The Q&A consists of five subject areas:
Making Your Investment Choices
Each subject area notes the questions you may have. Please refer to the TSA 403(b) Question and Answer Guide for the answers.
About Tax-Sheltered Annuities (pages 1 and 2)
- What is a TSA plan?
- Who can participate in the plan?
- Who oversees the UW TSA 403(b) Plan?
- Why should I invest with the TSA Plan?
- Why do I need supplemental retirement income?
- Can the TSA met all of my investment objectives?
- What's the difference between pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions?
- Which companies offer the Roth option?
- Who might benefit from a Roth 403(b)?
- Who might be better off with pre-tax contributions?
- How does a pre-tax contribution to the TSA 403(b) plan reduce my taxable income?
- How does growth in a 403(b) account benefit me?
- Will my TSA contribution affect my Social Security or WRS benefit?
- What makes the program inexpensive?
- I don't have any extra money for investing right now. When I'm older, it will be easier to save, won't it?
Contributing to Your UW TSA (pages 2, 3 and 4)
- How much can I contribute to the TSA Plan?
- I contribute to an IRA. Does that affect my TSA contribution?
- How do I contribute to the TSA Plan?
- Is dollar cost averaging like market timing?
- What if I change my mind and want the money back?
- Can I choose to re-classify my contributions as either after-tax or pre-tax after I've made them?
- I got a nice inheritance from my aunt. Can I invest that in the TSA Plan?
- How do I change the amount I contribute to my TSA?
- How do I change the funds I invest in?
- How do I change my address or my beneficiary designation?
- What if I want to move my investments?
- I have money in another retirement plan. Can I combine it with my UW TSA account?
Making Your Investment Choices (pages 4, 5 and 6)
- What can I invest in?
- So even though this is called the Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plan, I don't have to invest in an annuity?
- What kind of investments can I make with an insurance company?
- What is a mutual fund?
- My broker has suggested a certain fund that is not on the list of offered funds. Can I invest my TSA dollars in a company that is not approved by the TSA Review Committee?
- Are all of the investment options approved by the TSA Review Committee?
- There are so many choices! How do I pick an investment?
- Are my TSA investments guaranteed?
- What fees and expenses are charged for participation in the TSA Program?
Distributions From Your TSA (pages 6 and 7)
- When can I take money out of my TSA account?
- Is a hardship withdrawal available from my TSA account?
- Can I borrow against my TSA funds?
- How do I get a loan?
- PRE-TAX ACCOUNTS - How is my TSA money taxed when I take it out?
- ROTH AFTER-TAX ACCOUNTS - Is my TSA money taxed when I take it out?
- ROTH AFTER-TAX ACCOUNTS - What IRS restrictions?
- ROTH AFTER-TAX ACCOUNTS - What if I want to take money from my Roth 403(b) account BEFORE I have met the Qualified Distribution criteria?
- Can I use my TSA account to buy service credits?
- What if I leave employment with the UW?
- What happens to my TSA if I die?
- What are my options for receiving payments from my TSA?
- What is an annuity?
- Do I have to take distributions from my TSA at any certain time?
- How much should I contribute each month to my TSA account?
- Where can I find more information about investments?
- How do I get started?
- Things to keep in mind
TSA 403(b) Question and Answer Guide
This document was last revised on November 7, 2011
