Voluntary Retirement Investment Program (403(b) & 457(b))
Stafford County Public School sis pleased to offer supplemental retirement savings options through its Voluntary Retirement Investment Program (403(b) and 457(b) payroll deduction plan). These plans are designed to help you actively plan and save for your retirement goals.
Key Program Features
- Eligibility: Most employees are eligible to participate in the 403(b) and/or 457(b) plans immediately upon employment, including contracted, substitute, or hourly staff. Private contractors, appointed/elected trustees, and/or school board members are not eligible to participate in the 403(b) plan.
- Voluntary Contributions: Your contributions are voluntary, allowing you to choose the amount based on your goals, and you may change the amount of your contribution during the year.
- Tax Benefits: Contributions can be made on a pre-tax (traditional) basis, which reduces your current taxable income, or on an after-tax (Roth) basis. All qualified distributions from Roth accounts are tax-free.
- Ownership and Vesting: Contributions are deposited into individual accounts, meaning you own your account and make all decisions concerning the amount of your retirement savings. Participants are fully vested in their contributions and earnings at all times.
- Plan Administration: Stafford Schools has contracted with U.S. OMNI & TSACG Compliance Services to be the Plan Administrator of these voluntary retirement plans.
Important Plan Updates
Effective January 1, 2026
Stafford Schools has refreshed its 403(b) and 457(b) plans. After a competitive bid process, the number of approved providers has been reduced from seven to two: Equitable and Voya.
The change brings several benefits to participants:
- Lower Fees: Ongoing fees on your accounts will be reduced by more than 50%.
- Increased Transparency: Fees will be easier to see and understand on your regular statements.
- Simpler Investments: The investment lineup will be streamlined, featuring top performing managers and a transition from annuity accounts to mutual funds.
Action Required for Current Participants
If your current retirement account is with a vendor that was not selected, you are asked to select either Voya or Equitable for contributions beginning with the January 1, 2026 payroll. The deadline to submit your selection through the selection form was October 17, 2025. Payroll deductions to your existing (non-selected) account will continue through the December 1, 2025 payroll.
403(b) & 457(b) Accounts Comparison
Both the 403(b) and 457(b) plans are essential tools for long-term accumulation of retirement savings. They share many similarities, particularly regarding contribution limits, by have key differences, especially regarding withdrawal eligibility.
| Feature | 403(b) Accounts | 457(b) Accounts |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Annual Contribution Limit (2025) | Up to $23,500 (100% of includable compensation). | Up to $23,500 (100% of includable compensation). |
| Combined Contribution Limit | If participating in both plans, you may contribution up to the maximum allowable limit for each plan every calendar year, totaling $47,000 for the calendar year (plus additional amounts of qualified). | |
| Age-Based Additional Limit (2025) |
Participants aged 50 to 59 or 64 or older may contribute an additional 7,500. Participants aged 60-63 may contribute an additional 11,250. |
|
| Taxation of Traditional Accounts | Contributions are pre-tax; withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income upon distribution. | Contributions are pre-tax; withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income upon distribution. |
| Taxation of Roth Accounts | Contributions are after-tax; qualified distributions are tax-free. | Contributions are after-tax; qualified distributions are tax-free. |
| General Withdrawal Qualification | Generally, distributions cannot be made until you reach age 59.5 or have severance from employment. | Generally, distributions cannot be made until you reach age 59.5 or have a severance from employment. |
| Withdrawals Due to Financial Distress | Eligible for a Hardship Withdrawal in the event of an immediate and specific heavy financial need, following IRS Safe Harbor regulations. Reasons include medical expenses, costs related to purchasing a principal residence, tuition for post-secondary education, payments to prevent eviction or foreclosure, burial expenses, and FEMA disaster expenses. |
Eligible for an Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawal due to a severe financial hardship caused by a sudden and unexpected event. Reasons include illness/accident, casualty loss, or funeral expenses. Note: The purchase of a home and payment of college tuition are not considered unforeseeable emergencies for 457(b) plans. |
| Loans | May be eligible depending on the contract and plan provisions. | May be eligible depending on the contract and plan provisions. Note that not all Investment Providers offer 457(b) loans. |
Contact Us
Plan Administrator: U.S. OMNI & TSACG Compliance Services
The Plan Administrator is responsible for processing transactions, maintaining records, and keeping the plan in compliance with IRS Regulations. You may use their systems to submit distribution requests (loans, rollovers, hardship withdrawals, exchanges, or cash distributions).
| Service | Contact Information | Details/Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Toll-Free Phone Number | 1-888-796-3786 | |
| For Distribution Assistance | Select Option 4 | |
| For SRA Submission Assistance | Select Option 5 | For questions regarding Salary Reduction Agreement submission. |
| Customer Service Hours |
Monday - Thursday: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT |
|
| General Website | https://www.tsacg.com | Obtain employer-specific forms, benefit information, guides, and videos. |
| Employer Specific Webpage | https://www.tsacg.com/individual/plan-sponsor/ | Find the authorized investment provider list and instructions for SRA submission. |
| Online SRA Enrollment System | https://sra.tsacg.com/ | Use this system to complete a Salary Reduction Agreement (SRA) to start, stop, or change a contribution amount. |
| Online Distribution System (ODS) | https://transaction.tsacg.com | Use this system for the fastest authorization of distribution transactions (available 24/7). |
| MAC Calculator | https://www.tsacg.com/calculations/mac-calculator | Helps determine your Maximum Allowable Contribution (MAC) limit for the year. |
| Mailing Address (Transactions) | U.S. OMBI & TSACG Compliance Services, Attn: Participant Transaction Dept., P.O. Box 4037, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549 | For manual transactions that require an original signature. |
Approved Vendor Representative Contact Information
Effective January 1, 2026
For assistance with account establishment, investment selection, or general questions regarding the new plan providers (Equitable and Voya), you may consult with the representatives below
Equitable
Michael Cupp, michaelcupp@communityfg.net
Samuel Jerome, samjerome@communityfg.net
Michael Hayes, mikehayes@communityfg.net
Voya
Alicia Kong, alicia.kong@voyafa.com
Marta Steane, marta.steane@voya.fa.com
Farael Gutierrez, rafael.gutierrez@voyafa.com
Disclaimer
Participants in these defined contribution plans are responsible for determining which investment vehicles best serve their retirement objectives. You should consult with your financial advisor or tax consultant to determine the potential advantages of traditional and Roth accounts and for MAC limit determination, as the Plan Administrator does not offer investment advice.