Retirement Concerns?
Retirement account management is a personal decision. As the employer, we cannot encourage or suggest to an employee how to manage their assets. If you have a personal financial advisor, we encourage you to contact them with your concerns and questions.
HR received some questions about taking money out of retirement and/or changing contribution amounts and here is the guidance:
Distributions from the Montana University System (MUS) Retirement Plan (the MUS 401(a) plan) requires a termination of employment and a separation of service of 30 days prior to distributions. In-service withdrawals are not permitted. The plan (mandatory retirement plan – 401(a)) contributions are mandated by Montana statute and the Board of Regent policy; the contribution amounts cannot be changed. However - contributions to the MUS’s supplemental retirement options (403(b) & 457(b)) can be started, stopped, or changed at any time. You can contact Julie Baker for assistance on making any changes to supplemental retirement options at julie.baker4@msubillings.edu.
Here are some additional resources
Here is how to contact the individual retirement plans:
- TIAA (Montana University System Retirement Plan (MUS-RP): To speak with a TIAA representative, please call 1-800-842-2009 to schedule an appointment or visit TIAA. Additional information can be found on the MUS Choices website.
- Montana Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS): Member Call Center: 1-877-275-7372 or in Helena, 444-3154. Email mpera@mt.gov.
- Teachers' Retirement System (TRS): For general TRS questions, call (406) 444-3134 or our toll-free line: (866) 600-4045
MUS Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The EAP has many resources, including access to various Financial Services including access to financial professionals. Call to speak with a professional regarding your budget, credit, retirement, investment, tax or other financial questions.
For employees and their households here is how to access this EAP benefit:
- CALL: 866-750-1327
- Directions to Access Montana University System services from Reliant Behavioral Health
- Select Members from the top right corner
- Click on the RBH logo
- Enter your Access Code: MUS
- Click the My Benefits button
Retirement FAQ's
Distributions from the Montana University System Retirement Plan (the Montana University System’s 401(a) plan) require a termination of employment and a separation of service of 30 days prior to distributions. In-service withdrawals are not permitted.
The Montana University System Retirement Plan (the Montana University System’s 401(a) plan – the mandatory retirement plan) contributions are mandated by Montana statute and the Board of Regent policy; the contribution amounts cannot be changed. However - contributions to the MUS’s supplemental 403(b) plan can be started, stopped, or changed at any time.