Overview

FIU offers a series of Voluntary Savings Plans providing you with the opportunity to plan for a secure financial future by maximizing your retirement savings. Review the different plan options and consult with your financial advisor(s) before taking any action.

Eligibility and Enrollment

All Administrative, Executive Service, Faculty, Staff, and non-student Temporary (OPS) employees are eligible to participate in the voluntary retirement savings plans. To enroll, contact a provider company to open an account, then start and update contributions as needed.

Plan options and investment companies available at FIU

• 403(b) and 457(b) Pretax Plans –Contributions are deducted from your paycheck before your income is taxed, which lowers your taxable income. You will pay taxes on distributions.
• 403(b) and 457(b) Roth After tax Plans – Contributions are deducted from your paycheck after your income is taxed. This option provides tax-free growth and tax-free distributions.
• Plan Comparison Chart and Provider Contact Information

The IRS sets limits on the amount of money that can be contributed to the voluntary retirement plan(s). The annual IRS contribution limit for the FIU 403(b) Voluntary is separate from the limit for the 457(b) Florida Deferred Compensation plan.

Beginning January 1, 2026, employees classified as high earners—those with prior-year FICA wages over $150,000 (indexed annually)—will be required under SECURE 2.0 Act, Section 603, to make age-based catch-up contributions as Roth contributions.

For eligible high-earner participants, pre-tax voluntary retirement contributions will stop once the standard IRS contribution limit is reached. Those planning to make catch-up contributions must ensure they have a Roth contribution election in place to remain compliant. Participants are encouraged to actively review their biweekly voluntary retirement contribution elections and make any necessary adjustments. Employees may also wish to consult with a financial or tax advisor for personalized guidance regarding contribution strategies and long-term financial planning.

FIU 403(b) Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan

The Retirement@Work® portal provides flexibility in managing your FIU 403(b) Voluntary Retirement Plan contributions, allowing you to change investment providers and adjust investments anytime. Access the portal directly through PantherSoft Employee Self-Service at my.fiu.edu using your FIU username and password.

To get started, review the Retirement@Work® Quick Start Guide and watch this short video on setting up and accessing your account.

For detailed plan features and provider contact information, refer to the Transition Guide. You can also watch the recorded webinar: Enhancements to the FIU 403(b) Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan.

For personalized assistance with plan features, investment options, transfers, rollovers, distribution rules, and tax considerations, we encourage you to schedule a meeting with your designated plan representative from FIU’s participating provider companies: TIAA, Voya, or Fidelity.

Starting and Updating Contributions

Before taking any action, we strongly encourage participants to consult their financial representative or tax advisor for guidance on managing their voluntary savings plan and contributions.

• Contact information for 403(b) plan representatives
• Contact information for 457(b) plan representatives

For the 403(b) Voluntary Savings Plan:

1. Access the Retirement@Work portal through PantherSoft HR Employee Self Service.
2. Enter your FIU credentials to log in.
3. Click the Employee tab.
4. Navigate to Employee Forms > Benefit Forms > 403(b) FIU Voluntary Retirement Contribution
5. Once changes are submitted in the Retirement@Work portal, changes will be processed on the next available pay cycle, as applicable.

For 457(b) Florida Deferred Compensation Plan:

To update or stop contributions for the 457(b) Florida Deferred Compensation plan, contact the Bureau of Deferred Compensation directly at (877) 299-8002 or use their online forms:

• Enroll in contributions: EZ Enrollment Form
• Increase contributions: Increase Contribution Form

Once submitted, please allow several weeks for changes to take effect on payroll.

Distributions

Active employees may request an in-service distribution in accordance with applicable IRS rules and the specific provisions of each retirement plan. 

• State Retirement FRS/SUSORP Plan: In-service distributions, loans, and hardship withdrawals are not permitted under the State of Florida retirement plans.
• FIU 403(b) Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan: Subject to plan provisions and IRS rules, the plan may permit in-service distributions, loans, and hardship withdrawals. Loans and hardship withdrawals are available only through current participating providers: TIAA, Voya, and Fidelity.
• 457(b) Florida Deferred Compensation Plan: Subject to plan provisions and IRS rules, the plan may permit in-service distributions, loans, and hardship withdrawals. Participants should contact Bureau of Deferred Compensation directly at (877) 299-8002 for additional guidance.

 To initiate a distribution request, participants must contact their selected investment provider(s) directly, regardless of employment status.

Additional Resources

• Provider Contact List, & Plan Comparison Chart for 403(b) & 457 Voluntary Plans
• FIU 403(b) Plan Document
• Bureau of Deferred Compensation
• Loans/Hardship Withdrawals – Loans and hardship withdrawals are not permitted under the State Retirement FRS/SUSORP plans. However, if you have a voluntary 403(b) or 457(b) deferred compensation plan, these plans may offer loan options. To request a loan or hardship withdrawal from your 403(b) and/or 457(b) plan account(s), participants should directly contact their chosen investment provider(s) to submit the request.