Dear Colleagues,
In a continued effort to support your future and make your retirement planning easier, USC is simplifying how you can make retirement contributions to the basic matched plan using Workday.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, your current matched up-to-5% contribution and the flat dollar supplemental contribution (i.e., your 403(b) contribution) will be combined into a single percentage contribution. This is a process change in Workday and does not in any way affect your retirement benefits; USC continues to match up to 5% of your contribution.
This process change simplifies and makes it easier for you to determine your match contribution amount, is at no cost to you or the university, and better aligns USC with industry standards for retirement planning.
What you must do to ensure your current supplemental contributions continue:
- Between Dec. 1-12, 2025, you must update your matched percentage contribution and flat dollar supplemental contribution to a single percentage contribution in Workday. You will receive a notification to do this, with instructions, in your Workday inbox on Dec. 1.
- For visual steps on how to make this single percentage election in Workday, refer to the step-by-step guide (single sign-on login required).
- If you do not make an election between Dec. 1-12, your match percentage contribution as of 6 a.m. PT on Nov. 15 will be the only contribution withheld from your January 2026 pay.
- Between Dec. 13-31, any changes to retirement contributions need to be made by USC Retirement Administration directly and not in Workday. Please email rpadmin@usc.edu to make changes.
- If you do not wish to make an election or are not a participant in the 403(b) plan, no action is required on your part.
Note: Retirement regulations permit USC to default your automatic 403(b) matched deferrals. Voluntary deferrals must be elected by the participant.
The following support is available to assist you in calculating your contribution amount.
- Contribution calculator: https://contributionmaximizer.com
- TIAA webinars to assist employees who utilize TIAA as their vendor for changes specific to TIAA annuity contracts:
- The IRS maximum contributions for 2026 are expected to be released shortly. Stay tuned to the Gateway Connect newsletter and the Employee Gateway website for details. If you need assistance calculating your IRS maximum allowable contribution, please schedule a meeting with Retirement Administration using this booking link.
Reminders
- If you are eligible for the USC match and non-elective contribution, USC matches up to 5% of your contribution. Contributions in excess of 5% are not matched by USC but are allowed up to the IRS limit.
- You can update your elections at any point from Jan. 1, 2026, onwards, and at any point during the year.
Sincerely,
University HR Retirement Plan Administration
If you have any questions, our HR Service Center associates are prepared to assist you. Please call them at 213-821-8100 or email them at uschr@usc.edu.
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