Supplemental Retirement Plans

NIU employees have access to two types of supplemental retirement plans, 403(b) and 457(b). Both plans have pre-tax and Roth after-tax options.

Pre-tax and After-tax Options

With the tax-deferred option, your contributions are made on a pre-tax basis and are not reported on your W-2 statement. After the age of 59 1/2, you can request a qualified distribution, which will be taxed when distributed.

With the Roth after-tax option, your contributions are included in your taxable income. Earnings are tax-free if they're part of a qualified distribution. After the age of 59 1/2, you can request a qualified distribution at least five years from the year of your first contribution.

Contribution Limit

The IRS contribution limit for each plan for 2023 is $22,500. If you will be or are over the age of 50 in 2023, you can contribute an additional $7,500 in the calendar year. There are no matching contributions for any of the supplemental retirement plans.

Plan Types

403(b) Plan

NIU administers the 403(b) plan. All employees of NIU that receive a W2 from the university are eligible to participate in the plan. Contributions can be a percentage or a flat dollar amount, and are deducted from your paycheck. To participate, you must contribute a minimum of $10 per pay period.

To enroll, follow these steps:

Choose an approved vendor and enroll on their website:

Fidelity Investments (plan ID: 54296)
TIAA (plan ID: 103375)

Complete the NIU Salary Contribution Agreement Form (PDF) and email it to humanresources@niu.edu or fax it to 815-753-6074.

You can change your contribution by submitting a new NIU Salary Contribution Agreement Form (PDF).

457(b) Plans

NIU employees have access to at least two 457(b) plans, one through the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) and one through the State of Illinois.

Employees who first become participants of SURS prior to 7/1/23 have access to both the SURS and State of Illinois plans.
Employees who first become participants of SURS on or after 7/1/23 and were not making deferrals to the State of Illinois plan on 6/30/23 only have access to the SURS plan.
Employees who first become participants of SURS on or after 7/1/23 and were making deferrals to the State of Illinois plan on 6/30/23 have access to both the SURS and State of Illinois plans.

The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) sponsors the SURS Deferred Compensation Plan. All employees that participate in SURS are eligible to participate in the plan. Contributions can be a percentage or a flat dollar amount, and are deducted from your paycheck. To participate, you must contribute a minimum of $10 per pay period.

To enroll in, make contribution changes, or stop participating in the SURS Deferred Compensation Plan, follow these steps:

Visit surs.org
Go to the Member Website Login
Click on SURS Deferred Compensation Plan

Learn more about this deferred compensation plan on the SURS website.

Please note employees who first become participants of SURS on or after 7/1/23 and are not making deferrals to the State of Illinois plan on 6/30/23 will be automatically enrolled in the SURS DCP plan.

The State of Illinois/Central Management Services (CMS) sponsors the State of Illinois Deferred Compensation Plan. The plan administrator is Empower. Contributions can be a percentage or a flat dollar amount, and are deducted from your paycheck. To participate, you must contribute a minimum of $10 per pay period.

To enroll in, make contribution changes, or stop participating in the State of Illinois Deferred Compensation Plan, follow these steps: