403 B Universal Update
Richland School District Two sponsors the Richland School District Two 403(b) Retirement Plan (the "Plan"). Eligible employees of the District can voluntarily elect to defer a portion of their compensation to the Plan to supplement their retirement savings.
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Eligibility
Except as otherwise selected below, all employees are immediately eligible to make contributions under the Plan. The plan does not include employees who normally work fewer than 20 hours per week (must be 20 or less; equivalent to 1,000 hours or less in a year except as otherwise provided under applicable 403(b) regulations generally effective January 1, 2025) during the calendar year.
Contributions
An employee can elect to defer a portion of his or her compensation to the Plan on a pre-tax basis. Both Federal and State income taxes are deferred on the contributions and any earnings thereon until distributed from the Plan. No employer contributions will be made. Employees can invest their contributions to the Plan among the investment options offered by an approved vendor under the Plan.
Contribution Limits
Annual contributions to the Plan are limited per IRS regulations and are subject to cost of living increase annually. The contribution limits for the 2025 calendar year is:
| Year | Basic elective contribution limit | Age 50+ Catch-up contribution | Super+ Catch-up contribution |
| 2025 | $23,500 | $7,500 | $11,250 |
For employees with at least 15 years of service with the District, his or her 403(b) elective deferral limit is increased by the lesser of $3,000, $15,000 (reduced by the amount of additional elective deferrals made in prior years because of this rule), or $5,000 times the number of the employee’s years of service for the organization, minus the total elective deferrals made for earlier years. If an employee qualifies for the 15-year rule, his or her elective deferrals under this limit can be as high as $26,000 for 2025.
Any participant who reaches age 60 beginning in 2025 will be eligible for the super catch-up. The standard age 50+ catch-up amount resumes in the year the participant attains age 64.
To Enroll
Eligible employees may begin participating in the Plan at any time. To enroll in the Plan, an employee must complete an approved vendor's application to open an account. Questions should be directed to the selected vendor of choice.
Plan Summary
Permitted:
- Exchanges and transfers between the participating vendors (see list of eligible vendors below) will be permitted;
- Catch up provisions for employees with 15 years of service are permitted;
- Catch up provisions for employees who will attain age 50 or more by the end of a calendar year are permitted;
- Super catch up provisions for employees who will attain age 60-63 by the end of a calendar year are permitted:
Hardship withdrawals are permitted; limited to the amount of total elective deferrals and generally do not include any income earned. Participant must satisfy both that an immediate and heavy financial need exists, and that the withdrawal is necessary to satisfy that financial need. Hardship withdrawals must meet the requirements of the IRS regulations and are subject to the 10% early distribution penalty on distributions made prior to reaching age 59 ½ . Hardships are not allowed from de-selected vendors.
Not Permitted:
- Roth 403B Contributions are not permitted under the Plan;
- Direct rollovers from Roth 403b or Roth 401k Plans are not permitted;
- Transfers from another employer’s 403(b) Plan to Richland Two’s 403(b) Plan will not be permitted;
- 5-year post-severance provisions are not offered in the Plan;
- Loans are not permitted under the Plan.
Approved Vendors
- Ameriprise Financial
- AXA/Equitable
- Horace Mann
- ING Retirement Plans (VOYA)
- National Life Group (Life Insurance Co of the Southwest)
- Security Benefit
- MetLife
- VALIC
Ameriprise Financial
AXA/Equitable
Horace Mann
ING Retirement Plans (VOYA)
National Life Group (Life Insurance Co of the Southwest)
Security Benefit
MetLife
VALIC
This notice is provided as a source of information and does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice. If legal advice, tax advice, or other professional assistance is required, the services of a professional advisor should be sought.
