University of Pittsburgh
Your guide to the
University of Pittsburgh
Retirement Savings Plan updates
This guide provides an overview of the updates to
the Defined Contribution Program, which will now
be referred to as the University of Pittsburgh
Retirement Savings Plan. No action is required to
continue your participation in the Retirement Savings
Plan, but this may be a good time to review your
savings goals and adjust your strategy as needed.
Visit www.tiaa-cref.org/pitt for online planning
tools and other resources.
The Non-Contributory Defined Benefit Plan
(“pension plan”) is a separate and different plan
administered for the University of Pittsburgh by
a third-party vendor. During your career at the
University of Pittsburgh, you may switch from the
pension plan to the Retirement Savings Plan only
once. If you decide to switch plans, please contact
the Benefits Office directly 412 624-8160.
Table of contents
Plan updates coming soon ... 4
Your investments ... 8
Share class changes ... 14
Additional investment options available ... 15
TIAA-CREF is here to help ... 16
University of Pittsburgh and TIAA-CREF ... 17
Transition Q&A ... 18
Appendix ... 20
Contact information ... 21
Plan updates coming soon
Working with TIAA-CREF and Vanguard, the University of Pittsburgh is committed
to offering you the services you need to pursue the retirement you want and deserve.
Starting on February 9, 2015, important updates are coming to the University of
Pittsburgh Retirement Savings Plan. Please note that these changes do not apply
to the University’s Non-Contributory Defined Benefit Plan (“pension plan”).
Consolidated service provider — same TIAA-CREF and
Vanguard investments
Starting February 9, 2015, the University of Pittsburgh will consolidate onto one recordkeeping system for all current TIAA-CREF and Vanguard investment options. TIAA-CREF will become the single service provider and will host this recordkeeping system for all University of Pittsburgh Retirement Savings Plan participants. It will now be easier for you to plan for retirement and manage your investments, as all of your TIAA-CREF and Vanguard investment options will reside in the same place.
More convenience
As a result of this change, managing your Retirement Savings Plan account will be more efficient. With a single service provider, you will find it easier to manage — and monitor the progress of — your retirement savings. Through the new single service provider arrangement, you will have:
A single account statement that will include TIAA-CREF and Vanguard investments
Online enrollment and fund selection
Online asset transfer, making it easier to transfer between TIAA-CREF and Vanguard investment options
Easy access to fund performance information to help decision making
Retirement plan advice on all assets within the plans — TIAA-CREF financial consultants will be able to provide advice on both TIAA-CREF and Vanguard assets that are recordkept on the TIAA-CREF platform
360° financial view with the ability to manage all University retirement assets and other savings in one place, including your current Vanguard investments and other personal retirement assets
Lower fees on existing investments, plus new investment options
More than half of the TIAA-CREF and Vanguard investment assets will automatically transfer to a lower-cost share class and reduce your investment expenses. If your funds are being offered at a lower-cost share class, that lower-cost share class will be applied so that you are immediately receiving cost savings from the new investment menu. See page 14 for more information on this “share class” change and how it can benefit you.
Additionally, several new investment options will become available to plan participants. Please see page 15 for more information.
Plan updates coming soon , continued
New online enrollment and account management system
Also effective February 9, 2015, the University is introducing an enhanced and streamlined online experience through the University portal.
With the new system, you will be able to complete all of the following account activities through the my.pitt.edu website:
Enroll in the Retirement Savings Plan
Manage your salary deferral contribution amounts
Allocate your contribution amount among pre-tax, Roth and after-tax
Choose or update your investments
Transfer funds between TIAA-CREF and Vanguard investments
Name or update your beneficiaries
Update your personal profile (mailing address, email, phone number, etc.)
Update your delivery preferences
Access financial planning tools
You will use your current University of Pittsburgh user name and password to access this system. For log-on information, please visit www.hr.pitt.edu/benefits/retirement/making-cha.
Support for every step of your retirement journey
Obtain personalized Retirement Savings Plan advice on all of the plan’s investment options, including Vanguard options, from a trained TIAA-CREF financial consultant. TIAA-CREF’s investment advice takes the form of specific asset allocation recommendations on mutual funds and annuities, which is provided by Ibbotson Associates, Inc., an independent third- party asset allocation provider. This service is available as part of your Retirement Savings Plan.
360° financial view
Not only will you now have access to both TIAA-CREF and Vanguard funds on one system, but you can also use the 360° tool that gives you a complete view of your financial savings. This convenient tool gives you the ability to manage all of your other retirement assets, as well as other types of assets. You can obtain a complete picture of your finances, track your spending, set up email alerts and create a budget.
Additional flexibility for nonvested participants
Even if you are not vested in the University of Pittsburgh Retirement Savings Plan, which means you do not own the University’s matching contributions, you will now be able to direct the University’s matching contributions across any of the TIAA-CREF and Vanguard investment options. This new feature means you no longer have to wait until you have completed your three-year vesting period to allocate the University’s matching contributions to Vanguard funds. In other words, if you are investing entirely with Vanguard, you will be able to invest the University’s matching contributions in Vanguard funds during your vesting period. You can log on to my.pitt.edu using your University of Pittsburgh user name and password. Click Human Resources under the My Resources tab, then click Retirement Plan Access and the Manage Your Account tab to display options available to you.
Plan updates coming soon , continued
A new “Retirement Choice” account that will hold both TIAA-CREF
and Vanguard investments
As a part of the changes, new accounts (contracts) will be opened for all existing TIAA-CREF and Vanguard participants for contributions made after February 9, 2015. The new accounts are called “Retirement Choice” contracts. Your contributions, beginning February 9, 2015, will go into this new contract. Existing balances will remain where they are in your current contracts unless you decide to move them once the transition is complete. If you want to consolidate your University of Pittsburgh accounts, please call the University of Pittsburgh Retirement Plan Call Center at 800 682-9139. Please see the TIAA and CREF Annuity Contract Comparison Chart on page 22 for more information.
Your contributions to the Supplemental plan
Today, if you invest in the University of Pittsburgh unmatched supplemental plan, you can elect contribution amounts in a flat dollar amount or as a percentage of your salary. Using a percentage of salary for contributions better supports a robust savings plan, allowing for additional contributions with salary increases. Therefore, beginning February 9, 2015, only a percentage of your salary will be permitted as your contribution amount allowing for additional contributions with salary increases.
If you are currently contributing a flat dollar amount, that amount will be converted to a percentage of your salary, and that percentage amount will be rounded up or down to the nearest two decimal places. For example, if you are currently contributing $100 per pay period and your monthly base salary is $3,000, your $100 contribution will be converted to 3.33%. With a percentage as your contribution amount, your retirement contributions follow changes in your salary. If you change this percentage in the future, please note only whole percentage contribution amounts will be available going forward.
If you are affected by this conversion, you will receive a separate letter in the coming weeks with more information.
Rounding rules for contribution amounts
Your current percentage contribution amounts directed to the 403(b) plan will now be calculated to two decimal places for purposes of computing your contribution amount. For example, today if you are contributing 5% of your salary and that equals $110.86 per pay period, that amount is rounded up to the next whole dollar amount of $111. Beginning February 9, 2015, your contribution amount will be exactly $110.86, which represents 5% of your salary.
Here is what to expect:
KEY DATES EVENT
Beginning January 26, 2015 On-site Transition Seminars and Drop-in Information Desks will begin. This will allow you to ask specific questions directly to a financial consultant. Please reference the enclosed Event Schedule for details.
Week of January 26, 2015 Welcome Package is sent to you that includes your new account information. Please review your investment options and beneficiary elections. If you have questions about these elections, please contact the Retirement Plan Call Center at 800 682-9139.
January 31 through February 9, 2015
TIAA-CREF will perform a system upgrade between 11 p.m. (ET) on January 31, 2015, and 12 a.m. (ET) on February 9, 2015. In preparation of this upgrade, you will not be able to make a change in your salary deferral agreement during this period.
ONLINE
To update your account online, go to my.pitt.edu. Be sure to review your new planning tools, Retirement Advisor and
Retirement Income Planner. PHONE
If you prefer, you can update your account by calling TIAA-CREF at 800 682-9139, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET).
Plan updates coming soon , continued
KEY DATES EVENT
On or about February 4, 2015
Blackout Period begins. During the Blackout Period, Vanguard participants will be restricted from changing investment choices, transferring funds and making
withdrawals. See the Important Notice included in this package for details or reference it at www.hr.pitt.edu/srk.
February 9, 2015 Plan updates take effect. New online system becomes available.
On or about February 13, 2015
Blackout Period ends. You can access and update your entire retirement account. All TIAA-CREF future contributions and Vanguard funds will now show under your TIAA-CREF Retirement Choice account.
Week of February 16, 2015 TIAA-CREF Advice services become available for all participants. See page 16 for more information on this service.
Week of April 1, 2015 Single account statement available online or printed.
Be prepared for the updates!
1. Be informed.
Visit www.hr.pitt.edu/srk for information on the updates including a current schedule of on-site events.
Review the new investment options (see the Investment Menu and Transfer Strategy insert) and any share class changes to your existing investments.
Attend a Transition Seminar, webinar or view the online, narrated presentation.
Visit the Drop-in Information Desk following a Transition Seminar to ask specific questions related to this transition.
Once the transition is completed, you can schedule a One-on-One Advice Session with a TIAA-CREF financial consultant to review your options. You can receive personalized Retirement Savings Plan investment advice over the phone or in person. To schedule your session, call 800 732-8353, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET). Or visit www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow-PITT.
Review your beneficiary designation.
2. Take action.
The updates will be effective on February 9, 2015. You can receive assistance updating your account by calling the Retirement Plan Call Center at 800 682-9139.
Your investments
If you are currently invested with TIAA-CREF only
During the week of January 26, 2015, you will be automatically enrolled in a new TIAA-CREF Retirement Choice account and you will be sent a TIAA-CREF Welcome Package that includes your new account information. No action is required to continue your participation in the Retirement Savings Plan, but now may be a good time to review your savings goals and adjust your strategy as needed. Once you receive your Welcome Package, you can direct any future contributions to the new investment menu and update your beneficiary designation if you wish to make any changes. While your future contributions will be directed to the new Retirement Choice account, your existing balances will remain in your current contracts unless you decide to move them once the transition is complete. If you want to consolidate your University of Pittsburgh accounts, please call the University of Pittsburgh Retirement Plan Call Center at 800 682-9139. You should be aware there are some features of the new contracts that differ from your existing contracts (such as liquidity, interest rates and other considerations). Please make sure you understand those differences before you transfer any account balances to the new Retirement Choice account. Note that participants who no longer actively contribute to the plan will not be issued a new contract (i.e., retirees and terminated employees).
Beginning January 31, 2015, future contributions will be redirected to the consolidated recordkeeping system. TIAA-CREF will perform a system upgrade between 11 p.m. (ET) on January 31, 2015, and 12 a.m. (ET) on February 9, 2015. You will not be able to make a change in your salary deferral agreement during this period. The deferral agreement includes the percentage you wish to contribute to the plan (including the election of the accelerated benefit and supplemental contributions), the mix of contributions between pre-tax, Roth and after-tax elections, and the split of the elections between Vanguard and TIAA-CREF.
If you have questions or would like to access your account, please call the University of Pittsburgh Retirement Plan Call Center at 800 682-9139, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET).
All salary deferral changes for an effective date of February 1, 2015, must be submitted by January 31, 2015. The deadline to make changes for an effective date of March 1, 2015, is February 28, 2015. Please note that going forward you will need to submit changes to your salary deferral amount one month prior to the effective date of the change.
If you are currently contributing to the plan, your payroll contributions, including any eligible match, will continue. Contribution amounts will no longer be rounded, as explained on page 6.
Your investments , continued
See the Investment Menu and Transfer Strategy insert to understand how your investments may be affected. All of the TIAA-CREF options will remain available, and many will automatically transfer to a lower-cost share class. Existing balances will remain in your current contracts unless you decide to move them once the transition is complete to the new Retirement Choice account. If you want to consolidate your University of Pittsburgh accounts, please call the University of Pittsburgh Retirement Plan Call Center at 800 682-9139. You should be aware there are some features of the new contracts that differ from your existing contracts (such as liquidity, interest rates and other considerations). Please make sure you understand those differences before you transfer any account balances to the new contracts. Please reference the TIAA and CREF Annuity Contract Comparison Chart on page 22 for more information on the new contracts.
Current beneficiary elections will transfer to the new contracts. You will not need to re-establish your beneficiaries. Please note: If there is a non-spouse or trust listed as the primary beneficiary, the new beneficiary will be set to the plan default, which is 100% designated as your spouse or your estate if you are not married, and you will be notified to complete a new spousal consent form or submit a copy of the trust.
We encourage you to schedule a One-on-One Advice Session with a TIAA-CREF financial consultant to review your options. TIAA-CREF’s investment advice takes the form of specific asset allocation recommendations on mutual funds and annuities, which is provided by Ibbotson Associates, Inc., an independent third-party asset allocation provider. You can receive personalized Retirement Savings Plan investment advice over the phone or in person. To schedule your session, call 800 732-8353,
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET). Or visit www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow-PITT.
Your investments , continued
If you are currently invested with Vanguard only
During the week of January 26, 2015, you will be automatically enrolled in a new TIAA-CREF Retirement Choice account and you will be sent a TIAA-CREF Welcome Package that includes your new account information. Note that participants no longer actively contributing to the plan will still be issued a new contract for their Vanguard accumulations only.
During the Blackout Period, beginning on or about February 4, 2015, future contributions and existing assets will be redirected to the consolidated recordkeeping system. No action is required to continue your participation in the Retirement Savings Plan, and your Vanguard investments will be part of the consolidated lineup. You will be unable to change your investment choices, transfer funds, initiate withdrawals or change your salary deferral amount during this period. For details, see the Blackout Notice included in this package or refer to it at www.hr.pitt.edu/srk.
TIAA-CREF will perform a system upgrade between 11 p.m. (ET) on January 31, 2015, and 12 a.m. (ET) on February 9, 2015. You will not be able to make a change in your salary deferral agreement during this period. The deferral agreement includes the percentage you wish to contribute to the plan (including the election of the accelerated benefit and supplemental contributions), the mix of contributions between pre-tax, Roth and after-tax elections, and the split of the elections between Vanguard and TIAA-CREF. For more information or if you have questions, please call the University of Pittsburgh Retirement Plan Call
Center at 800 682-9139, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET).
All salary deferral changes for an effective date of February 1, 2015, must be submitted by January 31, 2015. The deadline to make changes to your contributions for an effective date of March 1, 2015, is
February 28, 2015.
If you are currently contributing to the plan, your payroll contributions, including any eligible match, will continue. Contribution amounts will no longer be rounded, as explained on page 6.
Beginning February 9, 2015, your existing assets and any future contributions to the University of Pittsburgh Retirement Savings Plan will be redirected from Vanguard to the new investment options. Current Vanguard funds that you own will remain fully invested during the transition and will be moved to the same Vanguard fund held on the TIAA-CREF platform. In some instances, they may be moved to a lower-cost share class. See the Investment Menu and Transfer Strategy insert to understand how your investments may be affected.
Current beneficiary elections will transfer to the new contracts. You will not need to re-establish your beneficiaries. Please note: If there is a non-spouse or trust listed as the primary beneficiary, the new beneficiary will be set to the plan default, which is 100% designated as your spouse or your estate if you are not married, and you will be notified to complete a new spousal consent form or submit a copy of the trust.
Your investments , continued
Once the transition is completed and the Blackout Period ends, you can direct your existing assets and any future contributions to other options on the new investment menu. We encourage you to schedule a One-on-One Advice Session with a TIAA-CREF financial consultant to review your TIAA-CREF and Vanguard options. TIAA-CREF’s investment advice takes the form of specific asset allocation recommendations on mutual funds and annuities, which is provided by Ibbotson Associates, Inc., an independent third-party asset allocation provider. You can receive personalized Retirement Savings Plan investment advice over the phone or in person. To schedule your session, call 800 732-8353, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET). Or visit www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow-PITT.
If you are retired and have a distribution from Vanguard in process (e.g., Systematic Withdrawal, Required Minimum Distribution payment, etc.), you will need to re-establish this payment with TIAA-CREF after February 3, 2015. You will receive additional communications if this applies to you.
Vanguard investors please note:
You will be able to invest in the same Vanguard funds you do today.
No action is required to continue your participation in the Retirement Savings Plan, but now may be a good time to review your savings goals and adjust your strategy as needed.
Your investments , continued
If you are currently contributing to both
TIAA-CREF and Vanguard
Your investment elections for future contributions will be “blended” based upon your current deferral rates and investment elections with TIAA-CREF and Vanguard. In the following example, 50% of your contributions are going to TIAA-CREF and 50% are going to Vanguard. Within your TIAA-CREF contribution, you currently have allocated 50% to TIAA-CREF Fund 1 and 50% to TIAA-CREF Fund 2. Within your Vanguard contribution, you currently have allocated 80% to Vanguard Fund A and 20% to Vanguard Fund B. Upon the transfer to the TIAA-CREF platform, your total fund allocation will be as shown in the chart at the right. Your allocations remain the same, but TIAA-CREF and Vanguard are simply combined to equal 100%.
During the week of January 26, 2015, you will be automatically enrolled in a new TIAA-CREF Retirement Choice account and you will be sent a TIAA-CREF Welcome Package that includes your new account information. No action is required to continue your participation in the Retirement Savings Plan, but now may be a good time to review your savings goals and adjust your strategy as needed. Once you receive your Welcome Package, you can allocate future contributions to the new investment menu. Note that participants no longer actively contributing to the plan will be issued a new contract for their Vanguard accumulations only. TIAA-CREF accumulations will remain where they are.
During the Blackout Period, beginning on or about February 4, 2015, you will be restricted from changing investment choices, transferring funds and initiating withdrawals on your Vanguard accounts. For details, see the Blackout Notice included in this package or refer to it at www.hr.pitt.edu/srk.
Before the transfer:
50% TIAA-CREF Fund 1 50% TIAA-CREF Fund 2 80% Vanguard Fund A 20% Vanguard Fund BAfter the transfer:
50% TIAA-CREF Fund 1 = 25% TIAA-CREF Fund 2 = 25% 50% Vanguard Fund A = 40% Vanguard Fund B = 10%The transfer of all 401(a)/403(b) participants’ Vanguard assets
will take place as follows:
Step 1: Funds move from Vanguard to TIAA-CREF
Your Vanguard assets will be reregistered at TIAA-CREF. As part of the reregistration process, your account will remain fully invested and will share in the investment experience of the funds during the asset transfer process. Step 2: New share class will be applied
If your funds are being offered at a lower share class, that lower class will be applied so that you immediately experience cost savings from the new menu.
Your investments , continued
TIAA-CREF will perform a system upgrade between 11 p.m. (ET) on January 31, 2015, and 12 a.m. (ET) on February 9, 2015. In preparation of this upgrade, you will not be able to make a change in your salary deferral agreement during this period. The deferral agreement includes the percentage you wish to contribute to the plan (including the election of the accelerated benefit and supplemental contributions), the mix of contributions between pre-tax, Roth and after-tax elections, and the split of the elections between Vanguard and TIAA-CREF. For more information or if you have questions, please call the University of Pittsburgh Retirement Plan Call Center at 800 682-9139, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET).
If you are currently contributing to the plan, your payroll contributions, including any eligible match, will continue. Contribution amounts will no longer be rounded, as explained on page 6.
Your beneficiary will automatically be set to the University of Pittsburgh’s Retirement Savings Plan default, which is 100% designated as your spouse or your estate if you are not married. Once you receive your Welcome Package, you should take the time to review your beneficiary designation.
Beginning February 9, 2015, your existing assets and any future contributions to the University of Pittsburgh Retirement Savings Plan will be redirected from Vanguard to the new investment options. Current Vanguard funds that you own will remain fully invested during the transition and will be moved to the same Vanguard fund held on the TIAA-CREF platform. In some instances, it may be moved to a lower-cost share class. See the Investment Menu and Transfer Strategy insert to understand how your investments may be affected.
We encourage you to schedule a One-on-One Advice Session with a TIAA-CREF financial consultant to review your options. TIAA-CREF’s investment advice takes the form of specific asset allocation recommendations on mutual funds and annuities, which is provided by Ibbotson Associates, Inc., an independent third-party asset allocation provider. You can receive personalized Retirement Savings Plan investment advice over the phone or in person. To schedule your session, call 800 732-8353, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET). Or visit www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow-PITT.
If you have a Transfer Payout Annuity that is being directed to Vanguard, you will need to re-establish this payment through TIAA-CREF after February 3, 2015. You will receive additional communications if this applies to you.
Share class changes
New, lower-cost share classes
As previously mentioned, more than half of the TIAA-CREF and Vanguard investment assets will be offered at a lower cost to you once all investments are moved to the consolidated recordkeeping system. The affected investments are outlined on the enclosed Investment Menu and Transfer Strategy insert.
What does a lower share class mean for me?
Investing in a fund in a lower share class means that more of your money goes to purchasing investments, with less going toward fees. As a result, you keep a larger portion of the potential returns generated by each fund. While returns cannot be guaranteed, paying lower fees can help you reach your retirement goals faster.
There is no investment strategy difference between the funds with different share classes. The mutual fund will charge different fees and expenses depending on the class offered to the plan. The new share class offers lower fees for these funds, thereby giving your portfolio more earnings potential.*
*Lower expenses do not necessarily translate into higher returns.
Are the new share classes of funds managed any differently than the ones I have now?
Do they earn more or less?
The principal difference between the classes is that the expenses of the new share class are less than the current share class. These savings can add up over time.
The expense ratio is the annual fee that all funds or ETFs charge their shareholders. It expresses the percentage of assets deducted each fiscal year for fund expenses, including 12b-1 fees, management fees, administrative fees, operating costs and all other asset-based costs incurred by the fund. Portfolio transaction fees, or brokerage costs, as well as initial or deferred sales charges are not included in the expense ratio. The expense ratio, which is deducted from the fund’s average net assets, is accrued on a daily basis. If the fund’s assets are small, its expense ratio can be quite high because the fund must meet its expenses from a restricted asset base. Conversely, as the net assets of the fund grow, the expense percentage should ideally diminish as expenses are spread across the wider base. Funds may also opt to waive all or a portion of the expenses that make up their overall expense ratio.
Are the new share classes actually a different fund than what I have now?
No. A mutual fund may offer multiple share classes. Regardless of share class, each shareholder owns a
proportionately determined amount or share of the fund’s investment portfolio. Each share class has a unique ticker symbol and is registered with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) as separate share classes of the existing mutual funds. So, while the fund ticker will change, you are still investing in the same fund, just at a lower cost. In 2015, the CREF Annuities will change its class structure, which will affect the CREF Accounts offered under the University of Pittsburgh plans. If you have a CREF Annuity, you will also receive an information package in early to mid-February concerning the new classes and your specific pricing. No action will be required regarding CREF. College Retirement Equities Fund or “CREF” was established in 1952 and introduced the first variable annuity. A variable annuity can provide lifetime income based on an investor’s accumulated value, without the risk of running out of savings. Payments from variable annuities are not guaranteed, and the payment amounts may rise or fall depending on investment returns.
Additional investment options available
As part of the plan updates, new investment options are also being made available, as shown in the table below. All currently available TIAA-CREF and Vanguard investment options will remain available. For a full list of available investment options, refer to the enclosed Investment Menu and Transfer Strategy insert or visit www.hr.pitt.edu/srk.
GUARANTEED*
TIAA Stable Value Annuity †
ACTIVELY MANAGED FUNDS AND INVESTMENTS**
TIAA-CREF Global Natural Resources Fund – Institutional Class
TIAA-CREF High-Yield Fund – Institutional Class TIAA-CREF Social Choice Bond – Institutional Class
PASSIVELY MANAGED FUNDS AND INVESTMENTS***
TIAA-CREF Bond Index Fund – Institutional Class TIAA-CREF Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund – Institutional Class
TIAA-CREF Enhanced Large-Cap Growth Index Fund – Institutional Class
TIAA-CREF Enhanced Large-Cap Value Index Fund – Institutional Class
TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund – Institutional Class TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund – Institutional Class
*** Guaranteed investments: Guarantees repayment of principal and a fixed or floating interest rate for a predetermined period of time. All guarantees are subject to the issuing company’s claims-paying ability.
*** Actively managed investments: Portfolio management strategy where the manager makes specific investments with the aim of outperforming an investment benchmark index.
*** Passively managed investments: Investors expect a return that closely tracks the investment weighting and returns of a benchmark index and will often invest in an index fund.
On February 9, 2015, you can begin
investing in the plan’s new investment
options. Please note that existing
Vanguard assets will be available to
invest once the Blackout Period has
ended. These new choices offer you
flexibility to create a retirement portfolio
that is aligned with your investment
preferences and goals.
You can see details on the new
investment options available online at
www.tiaa-cref.org/pitt.
† TIAA Stable Value is a guaranteed insurance contract and not an investment for federal securities law purposes. Any guarantees under annuities issued by TIAA are subject to TIAA’s claims-paying ability.
Please note these important rules that apply to the TIAA Stable Value Annuity:
Equity Wash Rule: For TIAA Stable Value Fund, there is an equity wash rule. Under the 90-day “equity wash” (industry standard), you are prohibited from transferring from the TIAA Stable Value fund directly to “Competing Funds” (e.g., money market funds, short-term bond funds, the TIAA Real Estate Account, stable value funds and most guaranteed products). Assets must first be transferred to a Non-Competing Fund where they must remain for at least 90 days before being transferred to a Competing Fund.
Frequent Trading: “Frequent Trading-like” restrictions, which are designed to mitigate the negative effects of short-term trading out of these funds and then back in again. Specifically, you are prohibited from transferring into TIAA Stable Value, within 30 days of a transfer out of TIAA Stable Value.
Exemptions: Certain systematic transfers are exempt from equity wash and frequent trading-like restrictions. These include transfers resulting
TIAA-CREF is here to help.
Support for every step of your retirement journey
Obtain personalized advice on the plan’s investment options from TIAA-CREF and Vanguard. This service is available as part of your Retirement Savings Plan. TIAA-CREF can help tailor your portfolio to your individual needs using TIAA-CREF and Vanguard investments, and is standing by to support you in building a strategy that can help you pursue your retirement savings goals. TIAA-CREF’s investment advice takes the form of specific asset allocation recommendations on mutual funds and annuities, which is provided by Ibbotson Associates, Inc., an independent third-party asset allocation provider.
Financial advice is designed to help you answer
these important questions:
Am I on track to reach my retirement savings goals?
TIAA-CREF will help you analyze how your investments are performing and determine if you are saving enough to help meet your needs.
Which combination of retirement plan investments is right for me? Obtain assistance picking the right investments, diversifying properly and allocating contributions to balance your need for growth potential with your tolerance for risk.
How can I meet my income needs in retirement?
Obtain help determining the amount you will need to meet your retirement income goals.
TIAA-CREF will assume financial advice responsibility for all University of Pittsburgh Retirement Savings Plan participants. TIAA-CREF financial consultants are trained and well versed on the University of Pittsburgh Retirement Savings Plan and all investments, both TIAA-CREF and Vanguard funds, available in the plan.
TIAA-CREF’s advice takes the form of specific asset allocation
recommendations on mutual funds and annuities, which are provided by Ibbotson Associates, Inc., an independent third-party asset allocation provider.
HOW TO ACCESS ADVICE Online:
Obtain quick, convenient answers via the online tool. Visit my.pitt.edu, log on using your University of Pittsburgh user name and password. Click Human Resources under the My Resources tab. Click Retirement Plan Access. Select the Advice & Guidance tab, and look for Retirement Advisor under
Popular Tools & Calculators. One-on-One Advice Sessions: You can receive personalized
Retirement Savings Plan investment advice over the phone or in person at our
local office or on the main campus. To schedule your session, call 800 732-8353, Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET). Or visit
www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow-PITT.
University of Pittsburgh and TIAA-CREF
The University of Pittsburgh and TIAA-CREF:
A long-standing relationship
The joint history of the two institutions dates back to 1917, when Samuel B. McCormick (Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, 1904-1921) served on the Carnegie Commission of Insurance and Annuities that recommended the establishment of TIAA in its 1917 report. In 1919, the University of Pittsburgh’s Board of Trustees approved and adopted a TIAA Plan, thereby making the University of Pittsburgh one of TIAA’s original 30 founding institutions.
TIAA-CREF continues to serve the University today through the local Pittsburgh office in Bakery Square on Penn Avenue, which opened in 2013. The University of Pittsburgh Human Resources Department and the TIAA-CREF Pittsburgh office have both participated in joint volunteer projects during the University of Pittsburgh United Way Day of Caring event, of which TIAA-CREF has been the lead sponsor for the past several years.
A strong financial supporter on the road to retirement
For nearly 100 years, TIAA-CREF has been dedicated to serving the needs of retirement plan participants — those, like you, who serve the greater good through work in the
academic, medical, governmental, cultural and research fields. And, because those needs are complex, TIAA-CREF is positioned to help you plan for the kind of retirement you deserve.
Samuel B. McCormick Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, 1904-1921
Transition Q&A
1. Why is the University of Pittsburgh updating the Retirement Savings Plan?
The University of Pittsburgh is committed to providing a quality Retirement Savings Plan. The updates are designed to strengthen the plan and help you pursue your retirement savings goals more effectively and at a lower cost. By consolidating the TIAA-CREF and Vanguard investment lineups and administering them on a single recordkeeping system, you will enjoy a lower fee structure for many funds, as well as increased efficiencies in managing your Retirement Savings Plan account.
2. What do I have to do?
No action is required to continue your participation in the Retirement Savings Plan, but you should confirm your beneficiary election. Also, now may be a good time to review your savings goals and adjust your strategy as needed. Visit www.tiaa-cref.org/pitt for online planning tools and other actions you may want to take depending on where you are invested. Please refer to pages 8-13 for instructions based on where you are currently investing.
3. How can I become familiar with my new investment options?
A menu of new investment options is included in this guide for your review. You can also access the list of investments through www.tiaa-cref.org/pitt.
4. I currently invest 100% of my accumulations with Vanguard. Will all of my investment
options remain available?
Yes. All investment options currently available to plan participants will continue to be offered on TIAA-CREF’s recordkeeping system, and in several instances, the same funds will be offered at a lower cost.
5. Why are new Retirement Choice accounts (contracts) being issued?
The University decided to adopt new contracts to give it more flexibility and control over the investment options offered in the Retirement Savings Plan. You continue to retain your Retirement Savings Plan assets, subject to the plan’s vesting schedule. The new contracts allow you access to new investment options not previously available under some of the older contracts, such as TIAA Stable Value. See the Appendix on page 20 for more frequently asked questions on the Retirement Choice contracts and the TIAA and CREF Annuity Contract Comparison Chart on page 22 for a description of the key differences between the contracts.
6. Why did the University select TIAA-CREF as the retirement plan recordkeeper?
The University of Pittsburgh has a long relationship with TIAA-CREF and Vanguard that will continue into the foreseeable future. As part of the move to a single service provider (TIAA-CREF), the University of Pittsburgh reviewed the complete investment offerings from both organizations. TIAA-CREF offers these unique benefits to University participants:
Long history and relationship — since 1920
Commitment to supporting participants, no matter which funds they choose to invest in
Ability to allow investment in all current Vanguard funds
Access to lower-cost TIAA-CREF and Vanguard investments
Ability to offer mutual funds and lifetime income annuity products
7. Will I pay any fees to make investments in the retirement plan?
As before, all investment options have expense ratios and other fund-specific fees that can be found in the prospectuses, which are available at www.tiaa-cref.org/pitt. Some investment options may also have redemption fees. As a result of these updates, many funds are available at a lower cost.
Transition Q&A , continued
8. What if I need help making investment choices?
You can obtain help selecting your investments and receive personalized Retirement Savings Plan advice on the plan’s investment options, including all Vanguard investments, from TIAA-CREF. This service is available as part of your Retirement Savings Plan. TIAA-CREF’s investment advice takes the form of specific asset allocation recommendations on mutual funds and annuities, which is provided by Ibbotson Associates, Inc., an independent third-party asset allocation provider.
Online: Obtain quick, convenient answers via the online tool. Visit my.pitt.edu, log on using your University of Pittsburgh user name and password. Click Human Resources under the My Resources tab. Click Retirement Plan Access and select the Advice & Guidance tab, and look for Retirement Advisor under Popular Tools & Calculators. One-on-One Advice Sessions: You can receive personalized Retirement Savings Plan investment advice over the phone or in person at our local office or on campus. To schedule your session, call 800 732-8353, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET). Or visit www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow-PITT.
9. What should I expect from a One-on-One Advice Session?
Advice sessions last approximately one hour. If possible, bring all of your investment account statements, including any retirement investments outside of the Retirement Savings Plan and your most recent Social Security statement. A TIAA-CREF financial consultant can use this information to understand your current financial situation and help you select the appropriate investment options.
10. My spouse/partner/friend is very involved in my finances. Can I bring him/her
to a meeting?
Yes. You can bring anyone you choose to group meetings or individual advice sessions.
11. Are there any withdrawal restrictions from the retirement plan?
Please note distribution rules and plan provisions have not changed. As a reminder, distributions from 403(b) plans before separation from employment, death or disability may be prohibited, limited and/or subject to substantial tax penalties. Different restrictions may apply to other types of plans. Review the University’s Summary Plan Description at http://hr.pitt.edu/benefits/retirement/defined-contribution-program for more information on distribution options.
12. What if I am retired and no longer contributing to the plan?
Please refer to pages 8-13 in this guide, depending on how you are invested.
13. Which email address will I use to establish or change my online salary deferrals going
forward?
Your default email address for these actions will be your pitt.edu address. You may change the email address used online at any time. In the event your University of Pittsburgh email cannot be used, plan communications will be sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
14. Which browsers are compatible with TIAA-CREF’s online system?
Recommended browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0 and 9.0; Mozilla Firefox 7.0 and later; Safari 3.0 and later; and any version of Chrome.
Appendix
Understanding the new Retirement Choice annuity contracts
If you’ve been a University of Pittsburgh Retirement Savings Plan participant for a while, you may wonder why you’re receiving new contract certificates. The following frequently asked questions are intended to provide an explanation.
1. Why am I getting new contracts?
The University of Pittsburgh has decided to adopt new contracts, giving the plan sponsor more flexibility and control over the investment options offered in the retirement plan. Participants continue to own their retirement plan assets, subject to their plan’s vesting schedule.
2. What happens to my existing retirement annuity contracts?
Your existing annuity contracts will remain in place.
3. Can I move assets to the new contracts?
You may leave your assets in the old contracts or transfer your assets to the new Retirement Choice contracts. All transfers are subject to the liquidity rules of the old contracts. Please note: You may only transfer assets from an old contract to a new contract. You may not transfer assets back into an old contract once this transfer is made.
4. How do the contracts differ?
Please note that the old and new contracts have different benefits and features. For instance, different liquidity rules and lower guaranteed minimum interest rates* apply to TIAA Traditional Annuity assets in the Retirement Choice contracts. See the TIAA and CREF Annuity Contract Comparison Chart on page 22 for a description of the key differences between the contracts.
Appendix , continued
5. How else do the contracts differ?
Under the new Retirement Choice contracts, it will be easier for the University of Pittsburgh to monitor funds and expenses and make changes to the investment menu. Subject to the terms of the contracts offered under the plan, it will also be easier for the plan to require the transfer of existing participant plan assets to new investment options. Please see the TIAA and CREF Annuity Contract Comparison Chart on the next page for more information on this topic, or call TIAA-CREF at 800 842-2252.
6. What is a fiduciary of the contract and what is the fiduciary’s role?
The fiduciary may exercise their rights to change the investments offered under the plan. You may allocate contributions to the investment options, designate beneficiaries, elect lump-sum benefits (subject to plan rules), transfer invested dollars between available investment options, and choose forms of benefit payment. Your (and your beneficiary’s) rights are subject to the terms of the plan and its vesting provisions.
7. What is the process to transfer my account balances to the new Retirement Choice contracts?
If you have reviewed the different benefits and features available in the new Retirement Choice contracts and decided that they’re right for you, call TIAA-CREF to request a transfer to your new contract. Please note that different liquidity rules and lower guaranteed minimum interest rates* apply to TIAA Traditional Annuity assets in the Retirement Choice contracts. You will receive a confirmation of the transaction by mail. In addition, once a transfer to the new contract is made, the amounts transferred cannot be transferred back to the old contract. For more information, please call TIAA-CREF at 800 842-2252, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET).
*All guarantees are subject to TIAA’s claims-paying ability.
Contact information
PHONE — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH RETIREMENT PLAN
CALL CENTER
Call 800 682-9139 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET).
ONLINE
Visit www.hr.pitt.edu to make transactions and access retirement planning tools.
ONE-ON-ONE ADVICE SESSIONS
Obtain personalized Retirement Savings Plan advice on the plan’s investment options from a
TIAA-CREF financial consultant. This service is available as part of your Retirement Savings Plan.
To schedule a session, call 800 732-8353, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (ET),
or visit www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow-PITT.
Appendix , continued
TIAA and CREF Annuity Contract Comparison Chart
Feature
TIAA Traditional Annuity Guaranteed Minimum Rate (All guarantees are subject to TIAA’s claims-paying ability.)TIAA Traditional Annuity
Guaranteed Minimum Rate for payout annuities
Transfers and Cash Withdrawals from TIAA Traditional Annuity
Retirement
Choice
Annuity
A rate between 1% and 3% is set by formula, under the terms of the contract, each calendar year for contributions, rollovers and transfers made between January 1 and December 31. This rate continues to be applied to this money for at least 10 years. The rate is based on the average five-year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate as reported by the Federal Reserve. Principal is always guaranteed.
Opportunity for crediting of additional amounts in excess of the guaranteed rate. When declared, this rate remains in effect for the 12-month period beginning March 1. Additional amounts are not guaranteed for future years.
2% Made in 84 monthly payments.
If plan permits, available in a lump sum within 120 days of terminating employment, subject to a 2.5% surrender charge.
Retirement
Annuity (RA)
and Group
Retirement
Annuity (GRA)
3% for all contributions, rollovers and transfers
Principal is always guaranteed. Opportunity for crediting of additional amounts in excess of the guaranteed rate. When declared, this rate remains in effect for the 12-month period beginning March 1. Additional amounts are not guaranteed for future years.
2.5% RA: Made in 10 annual
installments over nine years and one day. Lump-sum withdrawals and transfers are not available.
GRA: If the plan permits, available in a lump sum within 120 days of terminating employment, subject to a 2.5% surrender charge. Otherwise, made in 10 annual installments over nine years and one day.
Supplemental
Retirement
Annuity (SRA)
and Group
Supplemental
Retirement
Annuity (GSRA)
3% for all contributions, rollovers and transfers
Principal is always guaranteed. Opportunity for crediting of additional amounts in excess of the guaranteed rate. When declared, this rate remains in effect for the 12-month period beginning March 1. Additional amounts are not guaranteed for future years.
2.5% Available any time, subject to plan rules
Appendix , continued
TIAA and CREF Annuity Contract Comparison Chart (continued)
Fixed-Period Payments Retirement Transition
Benefit Employer Transfer of Annuity Assets
Not available If the plan permits,
participants can take a cash distribution up to 10% of the amount being converted to lifetime income.
Employers can transfer TIAA-CREF annuity assets to other investments, subject to contract provisions.
However, assets in TIAA Traditional can only be transferred over an 84-month period subject to a 1.5% surrender charge.
Under the terms of a group custodial agreement, employers may transfer the assets in the plan’s mutual funds.
If the plan permits, fixed-period payments of 2–30 years are available from the CREF annuity accounts and the TIAA Real Estate Account. RA: Fixed-period payments are not available from TIAA Traditional.
GRA: Fixed-period payments of 5–30 years are available from TIAA Traditional, subject to plan rules. The fixed period cannot exceed a participant’s life expectancy as determined by the Internal Revenue Service.
If the plan permits, participants can take a cash distribution up to 10% of the amount being converted to lifetime income.
Employers cannot transfer TIAA-CREF annuity assets to other investments. Under the terms of a group custodial agreement, employers may transfer the assets in the plan’s mutual funds.
SRA: Upon termination, fixed-period payments of 2–30 years are available from all annuity accounts.
GSRA: Upon termination, fixed-period annuities of 5–30 years are available from all annuity accounts. The fixed period cannot exceed a participant’s life expectancy as determined by the Internal Revenue Service.
Not applicable Employers cannot transfer TIAA-CREF annuity assets to other investments. Under the terms of a group custodial agreement, employers may transfer the assets in the plan’s mutual funds.
Photo credits: University of Pittsburgh Archives Historic Photographs, 1884-present, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Distributions from 403(b) plans before age 59½, severance from employment, death, or disability may be prohibited, limited, and/or subject to substantial tax penalties. Different restrictions may apply to other types of plans.
Investment, insurance and annuity products are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, are not bank deposits, are not insured by any federal government agency, are not a condition to any banking service or activity, and may lose value. Investment products may be subject to market and other risk factors. See the applicable product literature, or visit www.tiaa-cref.org/pitt for details.
You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. Please call 877 518-9161 or go to www.tiaa-cref.org/pitt for current product and fund prospectuses that contain this and other information. Please read the prospectuses carefully before investing.
TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Teachers Personal Investors Services, Inc., and Nuveen Securities, LLC, members FINRA and SIPC, distribute securities products. Annuity contracts and certificates are issued by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) and College Retirement Equities Fund (CREF), New York, NY. TIAA Stable Value is issued by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA), New York, NY. Each is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations.
©2014 Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America-College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF), 730 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
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