• After a 2-year waiting period, you are eligible to participate if you are a faculty or staff employee on continued appointment with a workload of at least 20 hours per week and six months or more in duration.

The two-year waiting period may be waived if you meet one of the following conditions:

• 1. You own an institution sponsored 403(b) or 401(a) retirement annuity (employer contributed), or
• 2. You have 5 years of experience in your field, not including work done while a graduate student and you are at least 30 years of age.

• Active members of the  Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI) may elect to remain in ERSRI. This decision must be made within 60 days of becoming eligible for participation in the 403(b) retirement plan.

• Once you become eligible to participate in this retirement plan, your contribution will be a minimum of 5% of your biweekly salary.  URI will contribute 9% biweekly, and all monies will be directed to an individual retirement account.

Appointments to complete paperwork to waive the two-year waiting period must be scheduled within 30 days from your date of hire. Failure to complete and return the necessary documents within 60 days of hire will result in a waiver of eligibility until you have completed two years of service.

TIAA 403(b) & Non Classified TIAA 457(b) Plan Administrator – Heather Nayman (401) 874-4618

Other options

If you are required to serve the standard two year waiting period for retirement and you are eligible for other benefits, you can make tax-deferred contributions to a TIAA Retirement Choice Plus 403(b) or a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.
Please note that only employee contributions are made to these retirement plans.

Forms to Authorize Payroll Deductions:

PF-14 Authorization Form for Non-Classified to Start and Change 403b Contributions – enrolled in Mandatory contribution

PF-15 Authorization Form to Start Retirement Choice Plus Elective Deferral 403b – Not enrolled in mandatory contribution

PF-16 Authorization Form to Change/Cancel Retirement Choice Plus Elective Deferral 403b – Not enrolled in mandatory contribution

457b Non-classified Deferred Compensation Authorization to Change Contributions

457b Classified Employee Deferred Compensation- Click to visit the State’s Retirement @ Work web portal.  You will be required to create a log in ID.

Return forms to Jerrica Men – (401) 874-2533