About the Employee Retirement Plan

The opportunities you have to plan and save for your financial future are important.

Am I saving enough?

Now is a good time to review your plan and consider beginning or increasing your contributions.

If you would like to begin contributions or make changes to the amount you are contributing to the plan(s), you will need to access your account at TIAA.org/washburn (see "How to Manage Your Account Online" below).

Retirement program investment advice

As a participant in the Washburn University retirement program, you have access to personalized advice on the program’s investment options from TIAA or Infinitas.

Whether you're just starting out or close to retirement, you can meet by phone or in person to discuss your specific financial goals and how to plan for them. This service is available as part of your retirement program at no additional cost to you.

Information & Events

All Employees (except student employees) may contribute up to maximum allowable under IRS guidelines into the Washburn University Defined Contribution Retirement Plan on a pre-tax or post tax (Roth) basis, and/or the Washburn University 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. The provider for both plans is TIAA.  

After completing 1 year of service in a benefits eligible position, the University will contribute an amount equal to 10% of base pay into the employee's Washburn University Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. Employees with previous service at a post-secondary institution, the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation, or an employee of the Kansas Board of Regents, may not have to meet the 1 year of service before receiving contributions.

Contributions are made the first pay period following eligibility.  Employer contributions are subject to a 3 year vesting period based on the length of time in a benefits eligible position.

Employees with a base salary of $85,000/year or more will also participate in a mandatory contribution:

  • $85,000-$144,999.99 participate in a 3% Mandatory Contribution
  • $145,000-$204,999.99 participate in a 6% Mandatory Contribution
  • $205,000 and up participate in a 9% Mandatory Contribution

The limit on elective salary deferrals - the most an employee can contribute to a 403(b) or a 457(b) account out of salary - is $23,000 in 2024. Employees who are age 50 or older at the end of the calendar year can also make catch-up contributions of $7,500 in 2024; meaning those age 50 or older can defer up to $30,500.

If you would like assistance regarding your retirement, you can contact one of the following consultant services with regards to investment options and enrollment:

Informational events including seminars and one-on-one sessions are also available.

Information & Events - Infinitas

Infinitas is an outside retirement consulting agency that assists Washburn with monitoring retirement investment performance, negotiating fees, reviewing investment policies/practices, and ensuring quality retirement investment options for the employer sponsored defined contribution plan and employee tax deferred annuity plans.  The Overland Park, KS, Infinitas office has a long history of serving retirement plan participants in the areas of retirement readiness, financial education and more.

Inifinitas offers virtual educational session to employees. You can review Infinitas' educational playlist on YouTube..

Immediate Participation Form

Employees with previous service at a post-secondary institution, the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation or Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR), may not have to meet the 1 year of service before receiving contributions.

To be considered for Immediate Participation, your employment at a qualifying employer must have occurred within 12 months preceding the start of benefit eligible employment at Washburn. You will need to send the Immediate Participation form to your previous employer for completion.  

How To Manage Your Account Online

It is easy to manage your financial future. Log into TIAA.org/Washburn to enroll, change your contribution amount, set up automatic increases, change investments, transfer assets, update your beneficiaries and more.

Retirement Checklist

If you are interested in retiring the information below may be beneficial to review.
  1. Meet with TIAA or Infinitas
    1. TIAA: contact Jeremy Kohn at jeremy.kohn@tiaa.org or call 866.842.8604 Ext. 264808.
    2. INFINITAS: contact retirementplans@infinitaskc.com or call 913.563.7336.
  2. Notify your Supervisor
  3. Complete the Notification of Change in Status form
    1. Return the completed form to hr@washburn.edu 
  4. Ensure your address, telephone # and personal email address are current with Human Resources. You can update this information on your Employee Dashboard.
  5.  Apply for Social Security and Medicare (if eligible)
    1. Explore/Apply for Social Security Benefits
      1. Browse Frequently asked questions about Social Security
      2. Review Social Security Online Services
      3. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
      4. Find your local Social Security Office
    2. Medicare Information
      1. Medicare & You Handbook 2023
      2. Apply for Medicare Part B 
        1. Request for Employment Information
      3. What is Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?
      4. Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare
      5. Medicare Part D Notice
      6. Blue Cross/Blue Shield resources
        1. Learn about Medicare
        2. Shop BCBS plans
        3. BCBS Plan 65 - Call 785-291-4301
  6. Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging provides services for older adults such as case management, caregiver support and information/outreach. JAAA also coordinates service delivery through partnerships with other community agencies.

Employee Assistance Program

Retirement is a significant life transition and we have resources to assist you. Please refer to our Employee Benefits Information.

Transitioning to the Retiree Medical & Dental

If you are age 55 or older you are eligible to transition your current coverage in medical and/or dental to the Retiree coverage.  You will be responsible for the entire premium (employer and employee portions of the premium). 

You can continue under the Retiree medical until you reach the age of 65. You can continue on the Retiree dental as long as you pay the premium.

If you have questions or need more information, contact benefits at benefits@washburn.edu

COBRA

If you are enrolled in Vision coverage or in a Flexible Spending Account, your insurance may be eligible for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) continuation and generally can last up to 18 months (Flexible Spending Accounts are eligible for continuation until the end of the Plan year).

Contact benefits@washburn.edu for more information.

You will be sent information on how to enroll at your current personal email address.

Covering your Dependents

If you are currently covering any dependents under medical, dental or vision, they are eligible to continue coverage through Retiree medical, dental or vision (Cobra Continuation).

If you are age 65 or older and have a dependent under age 65 who would like to remain on the medical plan, please contact benefits@washburn.edu. 

Life and Disability Insurance

Your short-term and long-term disability will terminate at the end of the month in which you retire.

If you are interested in continuing your life insurance, please read the Portability and Conversion letter for more information.

Personal Leave & Sick Leave

All accrued and unused Personal Leave should be paid out on your last paycheck.

Sick Leave is not paid out upon termination.

Open Enrollment

If you are enrolled in either Retiree medical or dental, or have COBRA Continuation coverage for vision, you are eligible to participate in Open Enrollment. 

Human Resources will send you an information packet informing you of the Open Enrollment period, so please ensure your contact information (address, phone # and email) is up-to-date.

  • Retiree Medical & Dental
  • COBRA
  • Covering your Dependents
  • Life and Disability Insurance
    Life and Disability Insurance
  • Personal Leave & Sick Leave
  • Open Enrollment

GET IN TOUCH WITH Human Resources

Human Resources
Morgan Hall, Room 118
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621

Phone & Email
785-670-1538
hr@washburn.edu

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