What is a 403(b) Plan?
A 403(b) Plan is a retirement plan (also known as a TSA – Tax Sheltered Annuity) similar to a 401(k) plan,
but one which is offered by non-profit organizations, such as
universities and some charitable organizations, rather than
corporations. There are several advantages to 403(b) plans:
contributions lower taxable income, larger contributions can be made to
the account, earnings can grow tax-deferred, and some plans allow
loans. Contributions can grow tax-deferred until withdrawal at which
time the money is taxed as ordinary income.
(Source: http://www.investorwords.com/12/403b_plan.html)
Who Can Participate in a 403(b) Plan?
Any eligible employee can participate in a 403(b) plan.
The following employees are eligible to participate in a 403(b) plan:
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Employees
of tax-exempt organizations established under section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code. These organizations are usually referred to as
section 501(c)(3) organizations or simply 501(c)(3) organizations.
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Employees of public school systems who are involved in the day-to-day operations of a school.
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Employees of cooperative hospital service organizations.
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Civilian faculty and staff of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS).
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Employees of public school systems organized by Indian tribal governments.
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Certain ministers
Who Can Set Up a 403(b) Account?
You cannot set up your own 403(b) account. Only employers can set up 403(b) accounts.
How Can Contributions Be Made to a 403(b) Account?
Generally,
only your employer can make contributions to your 403(b) account.
However, some plans will allow you to make after-tax contributions
(defined later).
The following types of contributions can be made to 403(b) accounts.
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Elective deferrals:
These are contributions made under a salary reduction agreement. This
agreement allows your employer to withhold money from your paycheck to
be contributed directly into a 403(b) account for your benefit. Except
for Roth contributions, you do not pay tax on these contributions until
you withdraw them from the account. If your contributions are Roth
contributions, you pay taxes on your contributions but any qualified
distributions from your Roth account are tax free.
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Non-elective contributions:
These are employer contributions that are not made under a salary
reduction agreement. Nonelective contributions include matching
contributions, discretionary contributions, and mandatory contributions
from your employer. You do not pay tax on these contributions until you
withdraw them from the account.
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After-tax contributions:
These are contributions (that are not Roth contributions) you make with
funds that you must include in income on your tax return. A salary
payment on which income tax has been withheld is a source of these
contributions. If your plan allows you to make after-tax contributions,
they are not excluded from income and you cannot deduct them on your
tax return.
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A combination of any of the three contribution types listed above.
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