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Benefits

Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA) program - 403 (b)

The TSA Program is a voluntary benefit that the CSU offers to eligible employees. There is no waiting period before you can start participating, and no requirement for minimum hours worked. However, special consultants, and employees in certain student classifications - such as resident assistants, graduate assistants and instructional student assistants - are not eligible to participate.

Effective April 1, 2016, Fidelity Investments will be the sole service provider.   When you participate in the TSA Program, you elect to defer a certain amount from each pay warrant into a special account to save for your retirement. You then choose how you want to allocate your money to a variety of investment funds offered.  In addition to giving you the opportunity to save and invest for your future, the TSA Program helps lower your taxes today. Your contributions to the plan are set aside on a pre-tax basis - this lowers your taxable income, which lowers your state and federal tax bills.

Setting-up your Account, Changing Monthly Deduction, Viewing Investments

A dedicated web site for CSU is available to provide you easy access to enroll, access your TSA account, and view plan details.   When you log on to NetBenefits, you will have access to manage your account, make decisions on your investment choices, and find interactive tools and calculators to help you better prepare to meet your retirement savings goals. Fidelity Investments:  http://netbenefits.com/calstate or call 800-642-7131.

Scheduling Appointments

Fidelity Investments is committed to providing one-on-one monthly on-campus appointments.   To check for the next available dates and times, please go to:   https://nb.fidelity.com/public/nb/default/fort  

Contribution Maximums

The maximum amount that you can contribute to the TSA Program each year is set by the IRS. If you're over age 50, the IRS allows you to contribute an additional amount (called a "catch-up contribution") over the annual maximum. Plus, if you have at least 15 years of service with the CSU, you may also be eligible for another type of catch-up contribution. Catch-up contribution information is available on the TSA Program web site at www.calstate.edu/hr/benefitsportal.

Making Rollovers and Transfers into the TSA Program

If you participated in another retirement plan prior to your employment with the CSU or participated in the previous CSU plans (METLife, Fidelity, Valic, TIAA-CREF or Voya), you may be eligible to roll over your balance in that plan into the TSA Program. If you wish to make a rollover or transfer from a plan, contact Fidelity Investments at 800-343-0860. (M-F from 5:30 am to 6 pm).

Accessing Your Money

You're eligible to begin receiving distributions from your account on the earliest of the following dates:

  • The day you become disabled (as      defined in the fund sponsor contract),
  • The day you end your employment with the CSU, or
  • The day you reach age 59 ½.

All distributions will be considered taxable income.  In addition, you also may be able to withdraw money from your account if you experience a financial hardship that meets guidelines set by the IRS. In the event that you make a hardship withdrawal from your account, you will not be eligible to make contributions to the TSA Program for six months.

Quick Links

CSYou - Benefits Portal

CSU Pre-Tax Comparison Chart

Savings Plus Program 401(k) and 457 plans

CSU TSA Transition Guide

CSU TSA Transition Workshop Handout 

Fidelity - TSA website

Fidelity -TSA appointments 

TSA - Savings Made Easy

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