NSU Puerto Rico 401(k) Plan
The Nova Southeastern University Puerto Rico 401(k) Plan is an employer-sponsored, defined-contribution, personal savings account for NSU employees who reside in Puerto Rico, as defined in subsection 401(k) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and Puerto Rico law.
Download the NSU Puerto Rico 401(k) Plan Summary
401(k) Plan Eligibility
If you are an eligible Puerto Rico employee who is 21 years of age or older, you can contribute to the NSU Puerto Rico 401(k) Plan on the first day of the month coinciding with or next following your one-year anniversary. If you have not worked 1,000 hours as of your anniversary date, you will become eligible for the NSU Puerto Rico 401(k) Plan match at the beginning of the year following the calendar year in which you complete 1,000 hours of service.
Re-hired Employees
If you were re-hired and were part of the Puerto Rico 401(k) Retirement Plan before, you can begin making contributions starting the month after your re-hire date. Re-enrollment through TIAA is required.
Matching and Vesting
Once you are eligible, NSU will match your employee contributions up to the first 4%. If you contribute at least 4%, NSU will match 10% of your eligible compensation. Contributions to the NSU Puerto Rico 401(k) Plan are not limited to the percentage of your salary that NSU matches. You can contribute up to 70% of any percentage of your gross biweekly earnings up to the limits set by the IRS each year.
| Your Contribution | NSU Safe Harbor Match | NSU Basic Match | NSU Additional Match | Total NSU Match | Total Retirement Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vested Immediately | Vested After 3 Calendar Years with 1,000 Hours of Service Per Year | ||||
| 0 | 0 | 2% | 0 | 2% | 2% |
| 1% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 4% | 5% |
| 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 6% | 8% |
| 3% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 8% | 11% |
| 4% | 4% | 2% | 4% | 10% | 14% |
| 5-70% | 2% | 4% | 4% | 10% | 15-80% |
401(k) Contribution Limits
Annual limits are generally set by the IRS each year.
2024 & 2025 Calendar Year Limits
- Employee (under age 50): $15,000
- Employee (age 50+): $16,500
- NSU Employer Contribution: $34,500
Retirement Plan Loans and Withdrawals
Employees have the option to take out a loan or withdraw funds from their NSU Puerto Rico 401(k) retirement plan. There are taxes and penalties that apply to hardship withdrawals (but not to loans), so you should consider such an option as a last resort for accessing funds. Review your options below.
Allows employees to access employee contributions (but not NSU matching contributions) from their retirement plan accounts. A hardship distribution may only be made for payment of the following:
- Expenses for medical care (described in Section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code) previously incurred by you, your spouse, your dependents or your beneficiaries or necessary for you, your spouse, your dependents or your beneficiaries to obtain medical care.
- Costs directly related to the purchase of your principal residence (excluding mortgage payments).
- Tuition, related educational fees, and Food and Housing expenses for the next twelve (12) months of post-secondary education for yourself, your spouse, your dependents or your beneficiaries.
- Amounts necessary to prevent your eviction from your principal residence or foreclosure on the mortgage of your principal residence.
- Payments for burial or funeral expenses for your deceased parent, spouse, children, other dependents or beneficiaries.
- Expenses for the repair of damage to your principal residence due to a catastrophe such as a hurricane.
Important note: Hardship distributions are taxable and subject to a 10% early-withdrawal penalty.
Allows active employees to access employee contributions (but not NSU matching contributions) from their retirement accounts if they are at least age 59-1/2 years or older. Please note: the 10% early withdrawal penalty does not apply, but a 20% federal income tax will be withheld. If your tax bracket is higher than 20%, additional federal income tax may be imposed.
Allows employees to access employee and NSU matching contributions from their retirement accounts.
Consult your Financial Adviser
We encourage you to consult your financial or tax adviser if you have specific questions related to your circumstances. For individual counseling, you can contact financial advisors at the numbers listed below:
- TIAA: 800-732-8353
- CAPTRUST: 800-967-9948
Distributions
If you terminate employment for any reason other than death, disability or normal retirement, you will be entitled to receive the “vested” portion of your account balance.
- If your vested account balance exceeds $5,000, you must consent to any distribution before it can be made.
- If your vested account balance does not exceed $5,000, then a distribution of your account balance may be made to you.
A 30-day notice will be sent to you, providing you with distributions options. If an election is not made within the 30-day window, your funds will be paid out in a lump sum payment.
- Single Lump-sum Payment – taxable in tax year in which you take the distribution, unless it is rolled over to a qualified plan
- Partial Distribution – of at least $1,000
- Installments – over a period of not more than your assumed life expectancy
- Leave Money as-is – you may leave your account untouched until you’re age 72 at which time you will be required to take Minimum Required Distributions (RMDs) annually
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
Once you separate employment, RMDs are mandatory, minimum, yearly withdrawals that generally must be taken starting in the year you turn age 72. For more information, contact TIAA at 800-842-2252.
Important note: Distributions are eligible to be rolled over to another qualified plan or Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
For more information, contact TIAA at 800-842-2252.
Disclaimer
In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the information described and contained on this website and the official Plan Document, the terms and conditions of the Plan Document shall control. NSU is not responsible for any investment advice provided to participants by Captrust and/or TIAA.
For any additional questions, please contact the benefits department at ohr-retirement@nova.edu.