Benefits
403(B) Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA) Plan
The CSU 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA) Program is a voluntary program that allows eligible CSU employees to save toward retirement by investing pre-tax contributions in tax-deferred investments in either annuities or mutual funds, under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 403(b). TSA contributions are made solely by the employee through payroll deductions, prior to federal and state taxes being calculated. Consequently, these pre-tax contributions result in reduced taxable income for participating employees.
AIG Retirement is the Master Administrator for the program. See the CSU Tax Shelter Annuity Web site to get more information about CSU’s Tax Shelter Annuity (TSA) Program.
For step-by-step, enrollment directions see, How to Enroll. 
All TSA enrollments and deferral changes (stop, start, increase and/or decrease) are designated by employees through Retirement Manager, an online process through AIG Retirement. For questions regarding enrolling in Retirement Administrator please call a Benefits representative at 619-594-1144. Effective with the 2010 tax year, which begins with the December pay period, the cutoff day to make changes in Retirement Manager is now the 5th of each month by 9:59 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST), or the next business day by 9:59 PM if the 5th falls on a holiday or weekend.
In addition to enrolling in the Retirement Manager, employees will need to make fund investment selections directly through the fund sponsor(s). You can open a 403(b) account by accessing the Web sites below:
If you have questions regarding investments, and you would like to speak to a fund representative, see, Contacts for 403(b) Representatives.
Additional Catch-Up Provisions
Under IRC Code Section 402(g)(7), employees who have at least 15 years of service (full-time equivalent) with the CSU and have not maximized the annual contribution limits during this time, may be eligible to contribute an additional $3,000 per tax year for up to five years, for a total of $15,000. To take advantage of this additional catch-up allowance, proof of 15 years of service (annual CalPERS statement) and a completed Maximum Contribution Allowance Worksheet are required. The Worksheets below can calculate your annual maximum contribution amount based on information you provide.
See below:
The age 50 catch-up is an age based catch-up allowance under IRC section 414(v). For 2009, this provision allows employees that are or will turn age 50 by the end of the current tax year (December 31) to contribute an additional $5,500 to a 403(b) plan or to a 401(k) plan and also contribute an additional $5,500 to a 457 plan.
If an employee qualifies for both of the catch-up provisions, additional contributions will be first applied to the 15 year catch-up allowance and then to the age based catch-up provision.
Contract Exchanges, Loans and Hardship Withdrawals
Current employees may use Retirement Manager for in-service contract exchanges, loans and hardship withdrawals. The CSU Benefits Portal provides additional information on how to conduct these transactions.
Separated employees and CSU Retirees (excluding FERPs and Rehired Annuitants while in pay status) cannot utilize Retirement Manager for any transactions. Paperwork requiring signatures can be sent to:
- Pamela Chapin
- Chancellor's Office, The California State University
- 401 Golden Shore, 4th Floor
- Long Beach, Ca 90802
Employees may contact the Chancellor’s Office at 562-951-4411 to follow up on the status of the forms.
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