Learn more about our retirement plans with recordkeeping through TIAA, aimed at modernizing and enhancing the overall investment experience for all participants.
University of Iowa Retirement Plan Enhancements
Starting September 2025 - The University of Iowa is updating its TIAA-administered retirement plans to offer a more streamlined, cost-effective investment lineup. Key changes include:
- New UI Target Retirement Series: A custom, hands-off investment option with guaranteed return features.
- Updated Investment Options: Lower-cost funds replacing some existing choices for better long-term alignment.
- Self-Directed Brokerage Option: Access to thousands of additional investments.
- No Action Required: Contributions and balances will automatically transition; account access remains unchanged.
More details and support resources will be shared in early August. For questions, visit tiaa.org/iowa_2025 or call 800-842-2252.
University Announcement
May 28, 2025 Communication
Enhancements to the University of Iowa retirement plans at TIAA—Beginning September 2025
At the University of Iowa, we’re committed to providing you with comprehensive benefits that support your financial security, both now and in retirement. To keep our plans aligned with the needs of our employees, the UI and its Retirement Fund Investment Committee, along with CAPTRUST, the independent financial consultant hired by the university, recently reviewed our retirement plans administered through TIAA. This review led to enhancements that offer a more streamlined and cost-effective investment lineup for employees.
The core design of the plans—including contribution rates and eligibility requirements—remains the same. No action is needed from you at this time.
Although some investment options will be replaced, the updated fund lineup offers greater flexibility, lower costs, and better alignment with long-term retirement goals.
You can still receive investment advice from a TIAA financial consultant at no additional cost to you.
What’s changing?
- Introducing the University of Iowa Target Retirement Series
This new, custom target date series, tailored for UI employees, provides a hands-off investment approach. This series leverages the core investment lineup and uniquely includes an allocation to the TIAA Traditional Annuity, which provides a guaranteed return and an option for monthly income payments in retirement.
- Updated investment lineup—several with lower costs
We’ve carefully selected new investment options to replace some existing ones, streamlining the lineup while adding several lower-cost choices that better align with plan objectives. These updates provide a more focused selection to help you build a diversified portfolio.
- New self-directed brokerage option
This new feature allows you to invest a portion of your retirement plan balance in a self-directed brokerage account, giving you access to thousands of investments beyond the core retirement plan investment lineup.
- Seamless fund transition within TIAA
Your retirement plan will remain with TIAA, and your login credentials and account access will stay the same. As part of the updated investment lineup, some options may be replaced with new choices. Eligible balances and future contributions in your mandatory, voluntary, and 457(b) deferred compensation plans will automatically transfer to the updated investment options—no action is needed on your part.
To support a smooth transition, we’ll share more details, including key dates, specific action steps, information sessions, and available resources in early August. For questions in the meantime, visit tiaa.org/uiowa or call TIAA at 800-842-2252, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT.
Thank you for your dedication to the University of Iowa—we’re proud to offer a retirement plan designed to support your future.
Cheryl H. Reardon
Chief Human Resources Officer &
Associate Vice President
cheryl-reardon@uiowa.edu
Kevin C. Kregel
Executive Vice President and Provost
kevin-kregel@uiowa.edu
TIAA Communications
July 16, 2025 - Mailing
August 04, 2025 - Mailing/Email
- TIAA Participant Communication Package:
- Cover Letter (pdf)
- Transition Guide (pdf)
- Investment Guide (pdf)
- 457(b) Letter (pdf) - only to participants with funds in the UI 457(b) plan
Additional Resources
- Instructions for opting out of the University of Iowa Target Retirement series and selecting your own investments via TIAA.
Key Dates
| Key Dates | Events |
|---|---|
| August 7 - October 10, 2025 | One-on-one counseling sessions with a TIAA financial consultant are available to review your account and any actions you may want to take during this transition. |
| August 13 - August 21, 2025 | Informational webinars and onsite seminars regarding the changes. |
| September 4, 2025 | Investment changes in existing accounts are complete for all options except the Nuveen Lifecycle Index Funds. |
| On or about September 5, 2025 | New account is available. You will receive an enrollment confirmation. New investment options, including the University of Iowa Target Retirement series, are available in the plans. |
| Beginning September 5 at noon CT, through market close on September 12, 2025 at 3 p.m. CT | You may make changes before balances and future contributions are directed to the new investment options. |
| September 9, 2025* (biweekly) October 1, 2025 (monthly) | First payroll contribution to the new investment options. |
| Week of September 15, 2025 | Eligible balances transfer to the new investment options. |
*The first biweekly payroll contribution will be directed to the allocations on file at the time the contribution is made.
TIAA Informational Events
TIAA is offering several informational events for you to learn more about the upcoming changes and how your account(s) will be impacted.
Visit tiaa.org/iowa_2025 or call 800-732-8353, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, to register for any of the events listed below.
One-on-One Consultations
You can meet one-on-one with a TIAA financial consultant to review your account and any actions you may want to take during this transition.
Visit tiaa.org/iowa_2025 or call 800-732-8353, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, to schedule a one-hour meeting while TIAA is on campus August 7 through September 26, 2025.
Virtual sessions and meetings at the TIAA Coralville office will also be available September 29 through October 10, 2025.
If you currently work with an assigned advisor, please contact your advisor to schedule a meeting.
For questions, contact TIAA
- 800-842-2252, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT
- Visit: tiaa.org/iowa_2025