Retirement Savings Plans

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New: GMEs automatically enrolled into CU's 403(b) plan starting Jan. 1

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the University of Colorado Office of Graduate Medical Education will debut the CU 403(b) GME Retirement Option. GME Medical Residents will be automatically enrolled and eligible for an employer contribution – but whether and how you participate is up to you.

What's new:

You'll contribute 0.5% of your monthly pre-tax income (unless you choose the ROTH option or opt for more savings).
CU will contribute 1%, totaling 1.5% of your monthly income added to your retirement account each pay period.
You can enroll, change or terminate your contributions at any time.

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2025 contribution limits

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CU Voluntary Retirement Plans
	CU 403(b)		PERA 401(k)	PERA 457
	(pre-tax dollars)	Roth Option (post-tax dollars)	PERA 401(k)	PERA 457
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 Combined contribution limit for age 50+ between these three plans: $31,000 Combined contribution limit for ages 60-63 between these three plans: $34,750 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.

	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***