Supplemental Retirement Plans Overview

Enhance your retirement with Supplemental Retirement Accounts

All Ohio State employees are eligible to participate in Supplemental Retirement Accounts (SRAs) through 403(b) and 457(b) plans. These optional, voluntary plans allow you to save for your retirement, in addition to your mandatory retirement plan. Unlike the mandatory retirement plans, the university does not contribute to your SRA.

How an SRA may benefit you

  • Additional savings: Contribute in addition to your mandatory plan.
  • Flexible tax choices: Choose when you pay taxes on your savings – now or in retirement.
  • Immediate vesting: Your contributions and earnings are 100% yours, immediately.

Manage Plan Elections

The NetBenefits portal allows employees to enroll/manage and change provider(s) for their Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b)/457(b)). Ohio Deferred Compensation (ODC) elections/changes can be made at ohio457.org or by calling (877) 644-6457.

Trouble with the NetBenefits site? Contact the Fidelity Service Center at (800) 343-0860 or HR Connection at (614) 247-myHR (6947).

Get started: Your SRA contribution options

You can choose from different contribution types:

  • Pretax: Contribute money before taxes are taken out. This lowers your taxable income now, but you’ll pay taxes on withdrawals in retirement.
  • Roth: Contribute with money you’ve already paid taxes on. Your withdrawals in retirement are tax-free, provided the five-year holding requirement and age 59½, or disability/death have been met.
  • After-Tax (403(b) only): A new option for those who max out their Pretax and/or Roth contributions.

Choosing the right contribution type depends on your personal financial strategy and when you prefer to pay taxes.

Understanding your contribution types and tax implications
Tax information Pretax (before taxes) Roth (after taxes) After-tax/After-tax Roth Conversion (403(b) only)
Are contributions taxed when made? No Yes Yes
Are withdrawals taxed? Yes, because they were not taxed at contribution. No, because they were taxed at contribution. No, because they were taxed at contribution.
Are earnings taxed? Yes No* Yes (unless converted using After-tax Roth Conversion*)
Are catch-up contributions allowed? Yes – Pretax and/or Roth catch-up contributions are available for employees age 50 or older. An additional catch-up amount is available to those ages 60-63. No – Applicable Pretax and/or Roth catch-up contributions must be made before after-tax contributions begin.
* A distribution from a Roth Account is federally tax free and penalty free, provided the five-year holding requirement and age 59½, or disability/death have been met.

After-tax 403(b) savings and an After-tax Roth Conversion

An After-tax Roth Conversion is an advanced strategy that allows individuals to maximize their retirement savings in a tax-advantaged way once you’ve reached the applicable IRS limit through Pretax and/or Roth contributions.

  1. Contribute after-tax: Make additional contributions to your 403(b) on an after-tax basis.
  2. Convert to Roth: Elect for your After-tax contributions to be automatically converted to Roth.
  3. Enjoy tax-free growth: Once converted, both your contributions and earnings grow tax-free.

Note: Contributions made to your previous employer’s retirement plan(s) or other retirement accounts do not count towards eligibility for the 403(b) after-tax option. Money from outside sources cannot be deposited into the 403(b) plan.

Visit 403(b) After-Tax and After-Tax Roth Conversion to learn more.

 

SRA contribution limits

You set a flat dollar amount to contribute each pay period. Your total contributions, including Pretax, Roth and After-tax, cannot exceed the IRS limits.

2025 403(b) contribution limits
Contributions Age 49 or Younger Age 50-59 Age 60-63 Age 64 and Older
Pretax and/or Roth Contributions $23,500 $23,500 $23,500 $23,500
Age Applicable Catch-Up N/A $7,500 $11,250 $7,500
After-Tax (New Opportunity) $46,500 $46,500 $46,500 $46,500
Total $70,000 $77,500 $81,250 $77,500
2025 457(b) contribution limits*
Contributions Age 49 or Younger Age 50-59 Age 60-63 Age 64 and Older
Pretax and/or Roth Contributions $23,500 $23,500 $23,500 $23,500
Age Applicable Catch-Up N/A $7,500 $11,250 $7,500
Total $23,500 $31,000 $34,750 $31,000
*Contact Ohio Deferred Compensation (ODC) for their applicable plan limits.
2026 403(b) contribution limits
Contributions Age 49 or Younger Age 50-59 Age 60-63 Age 64 and Older
Pretax and/or Roth Contributions $24,500 $24,500 $24,500 $24,500
Age Applicable Catch-Up N/A $8,000 $11,250 $8,000
After-Tax (New Opportunity) $47,500 $47,500 $47,500 $47,500
Total $72,000 $80,000 $83,250 $80,000
2026 457(b) contribution limits*
Contributions Age 49 or Younger Age 50-59 Age 60-63 Age 64 and Older
Pretax and/or Roth Contributions $24,500 $24,500 $24,500 $24,500
Age Applicable Catch-Up N/A $8,000 $11,250 $8,000
Total $24,500 $32,500 $35,750 $32,500
*Contact Ohio Deferred Compensation (ODC) for their applicable plan limits.

How to enroll or make changes

You can start, stop or change your contributions at any time.

SRA Election Calendars

Refer to the calendars below for submission deadlines and effective payroll dates.

Key plan features

403(b) and 457(b) Plan Features
Plan Detail 403(b) Plan 457(b) Plan
Early Withdrawal Penalty Yes, a 10% penalty may apply for withdrawals before age 59½. No
Contribution Limits You can contribute the maximum to both the 403(b) and 457(b) plans.
In-plan Roth Conversions Available Available, except at ODC
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) Not required while actively employed. Roth accounts are exempt from RMDs. Required by April 1 of the year following your 73rd birthday, regardless of employment status. Roth accounts are exempt from RMDs.

Plan Documents and Resources

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and is not financial or tax advice. We strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified financial or tax professional before making any decisions about your retirement savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Plan Information

Explore important aspects of the plans, your provider and investment choices, fees and when you have access to your account(s).

Plan Fees

Understand the fees that you are paying.

Investments

Learn about your investment options and how to manage them.

Distributions

Understand when you can request a withdrawal, how to apply for one and at what age you are required to take one.

Providers

There are four approved providers within this plan.

Legacy Accounts

Consider your account options and understand the fees you may be paying for balances held in accounts prior to January 1, 2021.