Retirement
Build your future.
Compare your plans, understand contributions, and take action.
Your Caltech Retirement Plan Options
Base Retirement Plan
Caltech contributes
Contribution:
5% to 16.5% of pay
Eligibility: Benefit-based employees
Vesting:
3-years
Tax Treatment:
Pre-tax
Voluntary 403(b) Plan
You contribute
Annual Limit:
Up to $35,750 per year
Eligibility: W-2 employees
Vesting:
Immediate
Tax Treatment:
Pre-tax or Roth after-tax
457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
You contribute
Annual Limit:
Up to $24,500 per year
Eligibility: Annual Salary > $316,980
Vesting:
Immediate
Tax Treatment:
Pre-tax
Who can participate?
Eligible benefit-based employees (refer to SPD for more details). You begin participating on the first of the month, coincident with or next following the date of hire or change to an eligible employment category.
How Caltech Contributions Work
- If you have less than 10 years of service:
- 5% of your eligible compensation up to the Social Security Wage Base*
- 10% of eligible compensation above that limit**
- If you have 10 or more years of service:
- 11% of your eligible compensation up to the Social Security Wage Base*
- 5% of eligible compensation above that limit**
*Contributions are limited by IRS rules. The Social Security Wage Base is the maximum amount of pay subject to Social Security tax. In 2026, that limit is $184,500.
**The IRS compensation limit is $360,000 for 2026.
Vesting Schedule
The Base Plan has a 3-year graded vesting schedule. This means for every completed year of vesting service you own a percentage of your account:
- <1 year = 0%
- 1 year = 33%
- 2 years = 66%
- 3 years = 100%
Hired before January 1, 2022?
Contribution formulas may differ. Please review the Summary Plan Description for details.
What you need to know
- You will receive an enrollment notification from TIAA once you meet the eligibility requirements.
- You will need to select your investments and designate beneficiaries through TIAA.
- Contributions and investment earnings remain tax-deferred until you begin making withdrawals.
- If you do not enroll, your investments will be defaulted to the TIAA Nuveen Life-Cycle Fund based on your date of birth and your beneficiary designation will default to your estate. You may change your investment and designate a beneficiary at any time.
Who can participate?
All employees who receive W-2 wages from the Institute are eligible. W-2 wages means earnings that are subject to Federal and State taxes. Stipends are not considered eligible pay.
Your Contribution Limits (2026):
- Basic Limit: $24,500*
- Age 50–59: additional $8,000 catch-up**
- Age 60–63: additional $11,250 catch-up**
- Age 64 or older: additional $8,000 catch-up**
*Your basic limit may be reduced because it must also factor in contributions received under the Base Plan.
**If your 2025 Institute compensation was greater than $150,000, your age-based catch-up contributions must be made on a Roth after-tax basis.
Tax Options You Can Choose:
- Pre-tax contributions (reduce taxable income now), or
- Roth after-tax contributions (tax-free withdrawals in retirement), or
- A combination of both.
Key Features
- Choose from a range of investment options through TIAA.
- Enroll, change, or stop contributions at any time.
- Immediate 100% vesting.
Who can participate?
Employees with a base salary of $316,980 or more as of November 1, 2025, or their date of hire.
Contribution Limit (2026):
- $24,500
- Catch-up provisions do not apply to this plan
Key Features
- Pre-tax contributions only.
- Investment options available through TIAA.
- Enrollment or contribution changes must be made in the month before the desired effective date.
- Immediate 100% vesting.
Retirement Plan Provider: TIAA
TIAA is the recordkeeper for Caltech’s retirement plans. Set up an account to enroll in a plan, change contributions, choose investments, elect or update beneficiaries, and access planning tools.
Website: tiaa.org/Caltech
Download the mobile app:
Phone: (800) 842-2252 (M-F, 5 a.m. – 7 p.m. PT)
Need help?
You can schedule a free consultation with a TIAA financial consultant. This service is available to all employees, whether they need help with enrolling, investing, planning, retirement income, etc.
Website: tiaa.org/schedulenow
Phone: (800) 732-8353, Option 1
Summary Plan Documents and Resources
For full legal details, please review the Summary Plan Descriptions and plan documents.