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Enrolling in a retirement savings plan is easy. Review this information to learn how you can start saving today.

Tax-Deferred Account (TDA) and Roth 403(b): Enroll At Hire

Get started right away by taking advantage of two great options: the TDA, which allows you to start saving a percentage of your salary on a before-tax basis, and the Roth, which allows you to start saving a percentage of your salary on an after-tax basis. These accounts are designed to give employees an immediate vehicle for retirement savings. You may enroll in either or both after you receive your first paycheck.

Contributory Retirement Account (CRA): Enroll After One Year

Celebrate your one-year anniversary at Stanford by enrolling in the CRA. This account is a flexible and robust savings tool that allows you to contribute a percentage of your salary on either a before-tax or after-tax basis. After one year of service, you will be eligible to receive two types of university contributions: basic and matching.

Whether or not you enroll, Stanford rewards you with a basic contribution based on your salary and years of service. And, if you enroll and make contributions of your own, you become eligible for matching contributions from Stanford. Over time your contributions, plus Stanford's contributions, add up to a powerful savings tool.

Auto-Enrollment in CRA

If you are eligible for the CRA and have met the one year service requirement, we will automatically enroll you at a 4% before-tax contribution rate. This will allow you to make the most of your retirement savings and take advantage of the matching contributions. 

The auto-enrollment program only applies to those employees who have not made any contribution elections. For example, if you contribute to TDA in your first year and do not elect to participate in CRA, you will not be automatically enrolled and will not receive matching contributions.

To see if you have been auto-enrolled in the CRA, log into My Retirement Savings

When Contributions Start

You may change your contribution elections at any time, although they are subject to SCRP payroll deadlines.  

PAY PERIODDEADLINE TO ENROLL OR CHANGE CONTRIBUTIONWHEN CONTRIBUTIONS BEGIN
1st through the 15th of that month

5 p.m. P.S.T. on the 10th of the month.

NOTE: If the deadline day falls on a holiday or weekend, the deadline is the prior business day.

On the paycheck issued on the 22nd of the month
16th through the end of that month

5 p.m. P.S.T. on the 25th of the month.

NOTE: If the deadline day falls on a holiday or weekend, the deadline is the prior business day.

On the paycheck issued on the 7th of the following month