MSU 403(b) Base Retirement Program (BRP) Eligibility Improvements

Effective January 1, 2023, we are excited to announce improvements to the eligibility criteria for the MSU 403(b) Base Retirement Program (403(b) Base). Most employees have been immediately eligible to enroll in the 403(b) Base, contribute their 5% and then receive the university’s matching contribution.

Some employees (e.g., fixed-term Specialist, Instructor, Consultant, Research Associate, etc.) have had to wait 24 or 36 Full Time Equivalent service months after being hired before becoming eligible to enroll in the 403(b) Base and receive the university’s matching contribution. Starting January 1, every benefit eligible current employee and new hire will be immediately eligible to enroll in the 403(b) Base with voluntary participation (review the 403(b) Base eligibility chart for more detail).* The 403(b) Base eligibility chart also shows when employees become required to participate in the account as a condition of employment.

Employees who were not previously eligible to enroll in the 403(b) Base will receive an HR/Payroll system generated email in early January with a “Voluntary BRP” link for them to enroll in the 403(b) Base. Enroll within 30 days of receiving the email for changes to be retroactive to January 1. To enroll on or after January 1, 2023, log into the EBS Portal and click the Benefit/Retirement tile, then select “Voluntary BRP” in the dropdown menu to complete the process, which includes choosing a retirement vendor (Fidelity or TIAA).

After the 30-day period has expired, employees can enroll in the 403(b) Base by accessing the EBS Portal, clicking the Benefit/Retirement tile, and then “Enroll/Change my Retirement/Health Savings Account Options” in the dropdown menu. Please review Enroll in Retirement Plans for more detailed instructions.

Individual emails will be sent to employees who will be newly eligible with information about how to enroll in the 403(b) Base. Employees who are already eligible but not enrolled will receive an email as a reminder that they can enroll and receive the university’s matching retirement contributions.

*Note: Non-U.S. residents earning non-U.S. income and student employees are excluded from the MSU 403(b) Retirement Plan.