Plan for the retirement you want with these free resources
Saving for your future is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family. The beginning of the year is the perfect time to set goals and think about what you want to achieve in 2026 and beyond.
Stanford offers a range of investment options through the Stanford Contributory Retirement Plan (SCRP), along with comprehensive financial planning tools to help you maximize your savings.
In this article:
New contribution limits for 2026
Investment options
Meet with a financial advisor
Financial wellness webinars and workshops
Resources to help you plan and secure your future
New contribution limits for 2026
The IRS has increased the contribution limits for 2026 and introduced additional catch-up contribution rules for participants who earned over $150,000 in 2025. As limits change annually, it is important to review your SCRP elections to confirm you are still on track to reach your retirement goals.
Additional changes to be aware of for 2026:
- As of last year, participants aged 60 to 63 are eligible for a higher catch-up contribution of $11,250 instead of $8,000.
- Participants aged 50 or older who earned over $150,000 in 2025 must make their catch-up contributions on a Roth basis only. More information will be sent to those affected by this change.
- All employee Pre-tax contributions will be eligible for in-plan Roth conversion through Fidelity and TIAA.
Contribution changes are subject to payroll deadlines of the 10th and 25th of each month. If the 10th or 25th falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the prior business day. For example, if you make an election change on Jan. 22, 2026, that change will be reflected in your paycheck dated Feb. 7, 2026.
Refer to the 2026 SCRP payroll deadlines Google Doc for additional information.You can log in to My Retirement Savings or call Fidelity directly at 888-793-8733 to change your contribution elections.
View the 2026 limits on Cardinal at Work
Investment options
Stanford offers different plan options to help meet you wherever you are in your financial journey. You can choose to contribute before-tax dollars to the Tax-Deferred Account (TDA) or after-tax dollars to the Roth 403(b). After one year, Stanford matches your contributions up to 5 percent and makes a basic contribution that grows with your service. Learn more about SCRP plan features on Cardinal at Work.
Within the plan, you can choose from a range of investment strategies depending on how actively involved you want to be. For example, Target Retirement Funds offer a simple way to invest, as you select a ready-made portfolio that best fits your retirement time horizon and risk tolerance. Whereas in the Expanded Choices Brokerage, you take sole responsibility for overseeing and managing your investments and making all investment decisions. Read about all the investment options on Cardinal at Work.
No matter what you choose, it’s always a good practice to revisit your investment lineup annually and consult with Fidelity’s expert advisors for guidance on investment and distribution planning.
Meet with a financial advisor at no cost to you
Unsure of what investment options are right for you? Schedule a free financial counseling appointment through Fidelity. With certified financial planners, these meetings can span all financial goals beyond retirement planning, including budgeting, investment advice, and tax planning. Appointments are available through Zoom or in person on the Stanford campus, Stanford Redwood City, and SLAC.
Schedule an appointment with a financial advisor on Cardinal at Work
Financial wellness webinars and workshops
Register for these free expert-led webinars covering important financial topics:
Jan. 21: How to Tackle Debt and Understand Your Credit Score
Jan. 28: Budgeting that Doesn’t Hurt
Feb. 4: Get Your Priorities Straight
Mar. 5: Managing Unexpected Expenses and Navigating Market Volatility
Additionally, Stanford has partnered with Francis Investments to provide a series of live and recorded financial presentations, available in English and in Spanish. Topics range from budgeting and saving for retirement to understanding basic financial concepts. Visit the Francis Investments website to access the presentations.
Other resources to help you plan and secure your future
- Register for the next SCRP webinar, taking place Jan. 15 at 12 p.m. PT. Or view a recorded presentation on Cardinal at Work.
- Take Fidelity’s Financial Wellness Checkup to assess your current financial situation and identify areas for improvement.
- Read Fidelity’s Tips for Financial Success for help creating a budget and setting savings goals.
- Bookmark the Saving for Retirement page on Cardinal at Work for key resources.
- Get detailed plan information by reading the SCRP Summary Plan Description.
Questions?
- For assistance logging onto the My Retirement Savings website or to make election changes over the phone, you can reach a Fidelity representative for the SCRP plan by calling 888-793-8733.
- If you have questions or need assistance regarding TIAA investments, you can reach a TIAA representative by calling 800-842-2776.
- For all additional questions regarding the SCRP, call the University HR Service Center at 877-905-2985 or 650-736-2985, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, excluding holidays.
