401(a) Retirement Plan

Eligible employees will automatically begin receiving contributions on completion of 2 years of qualifying service at GW. A year of qualifying service is a continuous 12 month period (starting with your hire date) during which you work at least 1000 hours.

The two year service requirement may be satisfied in whole or in part by service at another university or college of higher education (see Prior Service Verification).

Most GW employees are eligible for 401(a) contributions, including temporary/non-regular employees who are not eligible for health & welfare benefits. However, the following are not eligible (regardless of service):

• Part-time faculty paid on a per-course basis (adjunct faculty)
• Students, Graduate Teaching Assistants, Fellows, or others whose employment is incidental to their studies 
• Leased employees or contractors

Once you are eligible for GW 401(a) contributions, Fidelity Investments will  contact you with information about your account and how to make your elections:

• Logon to Fidelity NetBenefits (regardless of whether TIAA or Fidelity is your provider.)
• Elect your preferred provider and investment fund options.
• If you select TIAA as a provider, you can open and manage your 401(a) account online with TIAA. For assistance enrolling with TIAA call (800) 842-2776. 
• If you do not make a provider election, GW 401(a) contributions will default to a Fidelity Freedom Fund.
• If you have questions about the online enrollment process, please call Fidelity at (800) 343-0860.

Fund Investments

Both providers offer a number of funds you can invest in. If you make no investment election, contributions will be invested in your chosen provider's default fund.

• You can amend your provider election online through the Fidelity NetBenefits portal.
• If you selected Fidelity as your provider you can make changes to your investments and beneficiary deignations online with Fidelity. Questions about Fidelity's website can be directed to  (800) 343-0860.
• If you selected TIAA as your provider, you can make changes to your investments, beneficiaries and account information online with TIAA. Questions about TIAA's website can be directed to  (800) 842-2776.

The two year service requirement may be fulfilled in whole or in part by service at another educational institute of higher learning. A year of qualifying service is a continuous 12 month period (starting with your hire date) during which you work at least 1000 hours. To submit your previous service to meet the two year requirement, please complete the Prior Employment Verification Form (PDF).

*Forms submitted during the 401(a) suspension period will be processed once the suspension period has ended.

Once an employee is eligible, GW will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your eligible compensation each pay check into the 401(a) plan.

If you participate in the GW 403(b) Plan, GW will also contribute an amount equal to 150% of the first 4% of your eligible compensation that you contribute to the 403(b) Plan. The maximum match is 6% of your eligible compensation.

The IRS limits compensation that can be taken into account when determining your retirement plan contributions during the year; for 2021 the annual compensation limit is to $290,000.