How much can you save this year?

You might be surprised by how much the IRS will let you contribute to the UC 403(b) and 457(b) this year. You can save up to $23,000 in any combination of pretax or Roth contributions to the 403(b) Plan, plus another $23,000 in pretax or Roth contributions to the 457(b) Plan. That's a total of $46,000.

Plus, if you are age 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $7,500, which means you can save a total of $30,500 in pretax or Roth contributions to each plan. That's a total of $61,000.

In addition, you may be eligible for special and lifetime catch-up provisions to increase your limits. Contact Fidelity to see if you are eligible.

That’s a lot of money you can put toward your future. Not everyone can get there overnight, however. That’s okay, because even a small change today can have a big impact over time.

SO, HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED TO SAVE FOR YOUR FUTURE?

The amount you need to save each year depends on the level of income you think you’ll need when you retire and when you start saving. But here’s some simple guidance: Many financial experts suggest contributing at least 15% of your pay to your workplace retirement plan.

Does 15% sound impossible to save? There’s good news: UC’s primary retirement benefits can help make that a reality. Most Career employees contribute 7–9% of pay toward these retirement benefits.

Of course, to make the most of your primary retirement benefits, you’ll need to work for UC for the long term. But if you’re like many people, you’ll work for several employers during your career—and you may not be at UC long enough to build your retirement benefits to a level that meets your retirement income needs.

That’s where the UC voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) Plans come in. Saving in one—or both—of these tax-advantaged plans can help give you the best chance for a more financially secure future. Want guidance on how much you might consider saving for retirement based on your personal circumstances? Meet one-on-one with a UC-dedicated workplace financial consultant. Just call 1-800-558-9182 or schedule a consultation.

Remember, the UC Plans accept rollovers of eligible retirement funds from a previous employer plan or IRA. Consolidating retirement accounts into your UC plan lets you manage your retirement savings in one place and take advantage of the lower-cost funds offered on the UC investment menu.

START SMALL AND WORK UP OVER TIME

Saving a small amount may mean more money to spend in retirement, especially when you start early and increase your contributions as you are able.

Consider this example. Rob, Ella, and Lou all contribute just 1% more of their pretax pay to the UC 403(b) or 457(b) Plans. Even though 25-year-old Rob contributes less, he can end up with more retirement income than Lou.

But it’s never too late. If 45-year-old Lou contributes an additional 1%—$83 more a month—he could have $2,050 more per year in retirement. Imagine what could happen if he increased his contributions by 1% more each year?

CAN YOU SAVE 1% MORE THIS YEAR?

Can you save a little more? Increasing your contributions by just 1% could mean bigger payoffs in retirement. So maybe the question really is: Can you afford not to?