VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT SAVINGS PROGRAMS

Tax-deferred annuity (TDA) plans provide a way for you to contribute to a retirement account on a pre-tax basis through payroll deduction. Your contributions, plus earnings, are not taxed until you withdraw the funds. Usually this will be during your retirement, when your income often falls within a lower tax bracket.

NOTEThere is no employer contribution made to any of the voluntary savings plans.

SUNY Voluntary Savings Plan Memo 2024

VOLUNTARY SAVINGS PLAN RESOURCES:

SUNY Voluntary 403(b) Savings Plan Vignette

SUNY Voluntary 403(b) Savings Plan VSP Presentation

Where is my money invested?

The following programs are available to all employees:

These providers offer a wide choice of funds, including stock, bond and guaranteed funds.  You may change your contribution as frequently as you wish.

Visit the SUNY Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan webpage for more information.

Post-Tax 403(b) Option - Roth 

Federal and State income taxes apply to the contributions at the time they are made.

Qualified distributions of contributions and earnings are tax-free, which can help you balance against tax rates that increase over time.

Distributions available as noted for pre-tax, but taxes apply to earnings, distributed prior to five taxable years since initial contribution.

Alternate Voluntary Retirement Savings

You may also be eligible to participate in the NYS Deferred Compensation Plan. Because such Section 457 plans are set up under a different section of the Internal Revenue Code than SUNY's tax-deferred savings program, the amount you can contribute and rules for withdrawal differ. You may choose whether to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan, in SUNY's tax-deferred savings program, or both. 

For more information or to enroll, contact NYS Deferred Comp at www.nysdcp.com or 1-800-422-8463.

All employees are eligible for this plan.

To participate in these programs OR to change the amount of your contribution:

  • 403(b) - You must establish a SUNY Retirement at Work online account - see below:

    "How Do I Get Started or Make Changes to Existing 403(b)".

  • 457 Plan - NYS Deferred Compensation enrollment and contribution changes are done directly with NYSDC via your online account or call 1-800-422-8463.  

How much can I contribute?

You choose the amount, within certain limits.  NOTE:  You may simultaneously contribute to both a 403(b) and a 457 Deferred Compensation plan.

Limit if under age 50

2023 - $22,500
2024 - $23,000

Limit if age 50 or over (by 12/31)

2023 - $30,000
2024 - $30,500

This plan is set up under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. If you contribute to a 403(b) or 401(k) plan through another employer, the limit applies to all contributions combined. Contributions to a 457 (deferred compensation) plan do not affect contributions to this program.

How do I get started or make changes to my existing 403(b) contribution?

To process a new 403(b) enrollment or change an existing bi-weekly 403(b) contribution amount, employees must register on the SUNY Retirement at Work website to process your request.

Our campus is listed as SUNY at Binghamton.

You may use the Retirement at Work VSP Guide below to assist you with initial voluntary savings plan registration and making contribution changes:

How do I know which voluntary retirement savings plan to choose?

Click here for a summary on the key features and differences between a SUNY 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity vs. the 457(b) NYS Deferred Compensation Plan.  Keep in mind you may make contributions to both a 403(b) and a 457(b) account.