GMEs automatically enrolled into CU's 403(b) plan
The University of Colorado Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME) debuted the CU 403(b) GME Retirement Option on Jan. 1, 2025. GME medical residents are automatically enrolled upon hiring and eligible for an employer contribution — but whether and how you participate is up to you.
- GME residents will contribute 0.5% of your monthly pre-tax income (unless you choose the ROTH option or opt for more savings).
- CU will contribute 1% of your monthly income through June 30, 2026.
- Combined with your 0.5% contribution, your 403(b) will receive a contribution totaling 1.5% of your monthly income (unless you opt for a higher personal contribution, in which case it will total 1% plus whatever contribution you elect) each pay period.
- You must take action to opt out if you do not wish to contribute. Residents who opt out, or who do not contribute the minimum of 0.5%, will not receive the employer match.
- You can enroll, change or terminate your contributions at any time. Click on the CU 403(b) for GMEs tile below to find links to enroll in or update your contributions.
Changes coming July 1, 2026:
Starting July 1, 2026, CU will increase the employer match contribution to 2% of the resident’s pre-tax wages.
- This only applies to residents who contribute 0.5% (or more) of their monthly pre-tax income.
- If you already contribute the minimum 0.5%, you don't need to take any action. You will see the increased employer match contribution in your first July paycheck.
- Those who have opted out of the retirement plan, or who are not currently contributing the minimum 0.5% required for the match, will not receive the employer match. However, you can opt in or increase your contribution at any time. Click on the CU 403(b) for GMEs tile below to find links to enroll or update your contributions.
Choose a plan to learn more
2026 contribution limits
| CU Voluntary Retirement Plans | ||||
| CU 403(b) | PERA 401(k) | PERA 457 | ||
| (pre-tax dollars) | Roth Option (post-tax dollars) | |||
| Contribution limit | $24,500 (See aggregate limits below) |
$24,500 (See aggregate limits below) |
$24,500 | |
| Additional catch-up contributions for ages 50-59 or 64+ |
$8,000 (See aggregate limits below) |
$8,000 (See aggregate limits below) |
$8,000 | |
| Additional catch-up contributions for ages 60-63 |
$11,250 (See aggregate limits below) |
$11,250 (See aggregate limits below) |
$11,250 | |
| Bonus catch up | N/A | N/A | N/A | If you’ve under contributed, you may be able to contribute up to twice the normal limit ($47,000) for three consecutive years before normal retirement age. |
| Aggregate limits |
CU voluntary retirement plans combined contribution limit between the 403(b) and 401(k): $24,500 Any combination of contributions made to the 403(b) pretax option, 403(b) Roth option or 401(k) cannot exceed these limits. |
The PERA 457 has no aggregation limits with the 401(a), 401(k) or 403(b) plans. | ||
| Notes | If you’re enrolled in the CU 401(a) Mandatory Retirement Plan, you can’t contribute more than $69,000 a year to the CU 401(a) and the PERA 401(k). This excludes the $11,250 catch up contribution. |
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2025 contribution limits
| CU Voluntary Retirement Plans | ||||
| CU 403(b) | PERA 401(k) | PERA 457 | ||
| (pre-tax dollars) | Roth Option (post-tax dollars) | |||
| Contribution limit | $23,500 (See aggregate limits below) |
$23,500 (See aggregate limits below) |
$23,500 | |
| Additional catch-up contributions for ages 50-59 or 64+ |
$7,500 (See aggregate limits below) |
$7,500 (See aggregate limits below) |
$7,500 | |
| Additional catch-up contributions for ages 60-63 |
$11,250 (See aggregate limits below) |
$11,250 (See aggregate limits below) |
$11,250 | |
| Bonus catch up | N/A | N/A | N/A | If you’ve under contributed, you may be able to contribute up to twice the normal limit ($47,000) for three consecutive years before normal retirement age. |
| Aggregate limits |
CU voluntary retirement plans combined contribution limit between the 403(b) and 401(k): $23,500 Any combination of contributions made to the 403(b) pretax option, 403(b) Roth option or 401(k) cannot exceed these limits. |
The PERA 457 has no aggregation limits with the 401(a), 401(k) or 403(b) plans. | ||
| Notes | If you’re enrolled in the CU 401(a) Mandatory Retirement Plan, you can’t contribute more than $69,000 a year to the CU 401(a) and the PERA 401(k). This excludes the $11,250 catch up contribution. |
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Compare plans
| University of Colorado | PERA | |||
| 403(b) |
403(b) ROTH (after tax) |
401(k) pre-tax and ROTH (post-tax) |
457 pre-tax and ROTH (post-tax) |
|
| Qualifying distributions | Attain age 59 ½ Retirement Severance of employment Disability Financial hardship |
5-taxable-year period has passed Attain age 59 ½ Retirement Severance of employment Disability Financial hardship |
Attain age 59 ½ Retirement Severance of employment Disability Financial hardship |
Attain age 59 ½ while employed Required minimum distribution (RMD): attain age 72 while employed (age 70 ½ if born before July 1, 1949) Retirement Severance of employment Financial hardship |
| Early withdrawal penalties | Before age 59 ½ | Before age 59 ½ | Before age 59 ½ | N/A |
| Plan loan provisions | Limited* | Limited* | Limited** | Limited** |
| Special catch-up contributions (as defined by the plan) | None | None | None | Limited*** |
*See plan document or contact a TIAA representative for further plan details.
www.tiaa.org/cu
**See plan information or contact PERA for further plan details.
PERA 401(k) plan information
PERA 457 plan information
www.copera.org
***PERA 457 additional catch-up information: For three consecutive years before Normal Retirement Age and if the participant has under contributed in prior years, the participant may be able to contribute up to twice the available contribution limit ($38,000) per PERA’s approval.