Banking & Savings, Insights

TIAA 457(b) Plan - Reviews, Benefits, Fees & Ratings

flik eco finance personal tiaa 457b plan review

If you're looking for a way to save for retirement, you may have come across the TIAA 457(b) Plan. This plan is offered by TIAA, one of the largest financial services companies in the world. But what are the benefits of a TIAA 457(b) Plan? How much do you need to contribute each year to get started? And what are the fees associated with this plan?

In this article, we will answer all of your questions and give you a complete guide to the TIAA 457(b) Plan!

What is a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

A TIAA 457(b) Plan is a retirement savings plan offered by TIAA, a financial services company. The plan allows employees to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. Employees can contribute to the plan through payroll deductions.

How Does a TIAA 457(b) Plan Work?

A TIAA 457(b) Plan works by allowing employees to set aside a portion of their salary on a pretax basis. The money in the account grows tax-deferred, and withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income.

What Are The Key Features of a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

A TIAA 457(b) Plan is a retirement savings plan that is offered by the TIAA company. The key features of this type of plan include:

  • A tax-deferred way to save for retirement
  • The ability to make catch-up contributions if you are age 50 or older
  • A wide range of investment options
  • The ability to take distributions from your account if you need to

What Commissions and Management Fees Does a TIAA 457(b) Plan Come With?

The TIAA 457(b) Plan comes with a number of fees and commissions that may be applicable to you. These include an enrollment fee, maintenance fees, investment management fees, and performance-based fees.

Enrollment Fee

A one-time fee is charged when you first enroll in the plan. This fee is typically $50.00.

Maintenance Fee

A monthly fee is charged to keep your account active. This fee is typically $15.00 per month.

Investment Management Fee

A yearly fee is charged for the professional management of your investments. This fee is typically 0.50% of your account balance.

Performance-Based Fee

A quarterly fee is charged if your account outperforms the benchmark index. This fee is typically 0.25% of your account balance.

What Are The Advantages of a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

If you're looking for a retirement savings plan with some great tax advantages, a TIAA 457(b) Plan may be right for you. Here are some of the benefits that come with this type of account:

  • Contributions to a TIAA 457(b) Plan are made on a pretax basis, which means they're deducted from your gross income before taxes are calculated. This can result in a significant tax savings each year.
  • The earnings on your investments grow tax-deferred, which means you won't have to pay any taxes on them until you withdraw the money during retirement.
  • Withdrawals from a TIAA 457(b) Plan are also taxed as ordinary income, so there's no penalty for taking money out early.

What Are The Disadvantages of a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

The fees associated with a TIAA 457 plan can be high, and the investment options may not be as diverse as some other retirement plans. Additionally, if you leave your job before retirement, you may not be able to keep your TIAA 457 account.

What Are Some Alternatives to a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

There are a few alternatives to a TIAA 457(b) Plan. One option is to invest in a Roth IRA. Another option is to invest in a traditional IRA. Lastly, you could also choose to invest in a 401(k) plan. Each of these options has its own set of pros and cons.

Roth IRA

A Roth IRA is a good option for those who want to have more control over their retirement savings. With a Roth IRA, you can choose how your money is invested. You can also withdraw your money at any time without penalty. However, there are contribution limits with a Roth IRA.

Traditional IRA

A traditional IRA is a good option for those who want to save on taxes now. With a traditional IRA, you can deduct your contributions from your taxes. However, you will have to pay taxes on your withdrawals in retirement. There are also contribution limits with a traditional IRA.

401(k)

A 401(k) plan is a good option for those who want to save for retirement and get a company match. With a 401(k) plan, you can contribute pre-tax dollars to your account. Your employer may also match a portion of your contributions. However, there are usually withdrawal penalties with a 401(k) plan if you take the money out before retirement.

You will need to decide which option is best for you based on your individual needs and circumstances.

How Do You Open a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

TIAA 457 plans are offered by employers, so you'll need to talk to your human resources department to see if your company offers one. If they do, they'll be able to provide you with all the details on how to open an account.

The process is usually pretty simple - you just fill out a form and make your initial contribution. Your employer may also make contributions on your behalf, and they may offer matching contributions as well.

Once you have an account set up, you'll be able to start investing in a variety of different options. TIAA offers a wide range of investment choices, so you should be able to find something that meets your needs.

What is The Minimum Amount Required to Open a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

The minimum amount required to open a TIAA 457(b) Plan is $25. This is a very low minimum compared to other retirement plans, making it a great option for those who are just starting out in their careers.

What Are The TIAA 457(b) Plan Contribution Limits?

The TIAA 457(b) Plan contribution limits are pretty high. For 2021, the maximum amount you can contribute is $19,500. That’s a lot of money that you can put away for retirement!

Now, if you’re 50 years old or older, you can contribute an additional $6000 to the TIAA 457(b) Plan. This is called a “catch-up” contribution and it’s designed to help people who are behind on their retirement savings.

So, if you’re 50 years old or older, the maximum amount you can contribute to the TIAA 457(b) Plan is $25,500.

What Are The Eligibility Requirements for a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

To be eligible to participate in a TIAA 457(b) Plan, you must be an employee of a state or local government agency or entity, including a public school district, or a non-profit organization that has been authorized by the Internal Revenue Service. You must also be expected to perform services for your employer for at least one year.

Do You Pay Taxes On a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

The answer to this question is a bit complicated. If you make contributions to your 457 plan before taxes are taken out of your paycheck, then you will not have to pay taxes on the money when you eventually withdraw it in retirement. However, if you make after-tax contributions to your 457 plan, then you will have to pay taxes on the money when you withdraw it in retirement.

The best way to avoid paying taxes on your 457 plan is to make sure that you are contributing before taxes are taken out of your paycheck. This can be done by having your employer deduct the contributions from your paycheck before they calculate payroll taxes. Doing this will ensure that you do not have to pay taxes on the money when you eventually withdraw it in retirement.

If you are still not sure whether or not you will have to pay taxes on your 457 plan, you should contact a financial advisor. They will be able to help you figure out the best way to contribute to your 457 plan so that you do not have to pay taxes on the money when you withdraw it in retirement.

When Can You Withdraw Money From a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

Generally speaking, you can begin withdrawing money from your TIAA 457(b) Plan at age 59 ½. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. If you leave your job before reaching retirement age (55 or older), you may be able to access your funds early.

Additionally, if you become disabled, you may also be eligible to withdraw money from your 457(b) Plan.

How Does a TIAA 457(b) Plan Compare to a 401K?

A 457 plan is often compared to a 401K because they are both retirement savings plans offered by employers. However, there are some key differences between the two types of plans.

For starters, a 457 plan allows you to contribute more money each year than a 401K. In 2018, the maximum contribution limit for a 457 plan is $18,500, compared to just $18,000 for a 401K.

Another key difference is that a 457 plan does not have the same early withdrawal penalties as a 401K. With a 401K, you typically face a ten percent penalty if you withdraw funds before age 59 ½. However, with a 457 plan, you can withdraw funds without penalty at any time.

Finally, a 457 plan is not subject to the same income taxes as a 401K. With a 401K, you have to pay taxes on your contributions and your earnings when you withdraw the money in retirement. However, with a 457 plan, you only have to pay taxes on your earnings when you withdraw the money.

What Assets Are Available With a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

With a TIAA 457(b) Plan, you have access to a wide range of assets, including:

  • stocks
  • bonds
  • mutual funds
  • ETFs
  • annuities

You can also choose from a variety of different investment options, which can be tailored to your specific needs and goals. For example, if you're looking for growth potential, you might want to invest in stocks. Or, if you're more interested in stability and income, bonds or annuities might be a better fit.

The beauty of a TIAA 457(b) Plan is that it gives you the flexibility to change your asset allocation as your needs and goals change over time.

Why Do People Use a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

The main reason people use a TIAA 457(b) Plan is to save for retirement. This type of plan allows you to set aside money from your paycheck before taxes are taken out. That means your savings will grow faster because you won't have to pay taxes on the money you contribute or on the earnings from your investments.

Does a TIAA 457(b) Plan Accept Rollovers?

A TIAA 457(b) Plan does accept rollovers from other eligible retirement plans, including 401(k)s and 403(b)s. You can also roll over money from a traditional IRA into a TIAA 457(b) Plan.

To do a rollover, you'll need to contact the plan administrator for your new employer and request a rollover kit. Once you have the kit, you'll need to complete and return the necessary paperwork.

Once your rollover is complete, your money will be moved into your new employer's TIAA 457(b) Plan. You'll then be able to manage your account and make investment choices just as you would with any other 457(b) Plan.

How Long Does It Take to Transfer to a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

The process of transferring to a TIAA 457(b) Plan is relatively simple and can be completed in a matter of days.

The first step is to contact your current provider and let them know you wish to transfer your account. They will then provide you with the necessary paperwork to complete the transfer.

Once the paperwork is completed, you will simply need to submit it to TIAA. Once the transfer is complete, you will be able to start contributing to your new account right away.

How Do You Put Money Into a TIAA 457(b) Plan?

You can contribute to a TIAA 457 plan in two ways: through payroll deductions or by making catch-up contributions.

If your employer offers a TIAA 457 plan, you can elect to have money withheld from each paycheck and deposited into your account. You can typically choose how much you want to have withheld, up to the IRS limit.

If you're 50 or older, you can make catch-up contributions to your TIAA 457 plan. For 2019, the catch-up contribution limit is $6000.

You can also make one-time contributions to your TIAA 457 plan. This might be a good option if you receive a bonus at work or have some other source of extra income.

Can You Open a TIAA 457(b) Plan For a Child?

The answer is unfortunately, no. The TIAA 457(b) Plan is only available to employees of eligible organizations. However, there are other ways to save for your child's future. A 529 Plan is a state-sponsored college savings plan that anyone can open. You may also want to consider opening a Roth IRA for your child.

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About Jermaine Hagan (The Plantsman)

Jermaine Hagan, also known as The Plantsman is the Founder of Flik Eco. Jermaine is the perfect hybrid of personal finance expert and nemophilist. On a mission to make personal finance simple and accessible, Jermaine uses his inside knowledge to help the average Joe, Kwame or Sarah to improve their lives. Before founding Flik Eco, Jermaine managed teams across several large financial companies, including Equifax, Admiral Plc, New Wave Capital & HSBC. He has been featured in several large publications including BBC, The Guardian & The Times.

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