Retirement plan participants

Welcome to your Case Western Reserve University retirement plan!

  • Case Western Reserve University Faculty and Key Administrative Employees' Retirement Plan (Plan A)
  • Case Western Reserve University Employees' Retirement Plan (Plan C)

View important information about your retirement plan, learn how to make changes to your plan account, and get access to helpful resources.

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When can I join the plan?

You are eligible to participate in the plan after 1 year of service.

 

To enroll, please contact your human resources department to select a payroll deduction amount and confirm your plan (A or C). Then enroll online at vanguard.com/enroll. Or you can enroll by phone by calling Vanguard at 800-523-1188. You can use your plan number to get started:

 

  • Faculty and Key Administrative Employees' Retirement Plan (Plan A) (090272)
  • Employees' Retirement Plan (Plan C) (099016)

When you enroll, you will be asked the percentage of your pay you want to contribute and how you want to invest your money among the investment choices available in the plan.

 

If you enroll but do not make an investment election, your contributions will be invested in the Vanguard Target Retirement Fund with the target date closest to the year in which you will reach age 65.

 

Investments in Target Retirement Funds are subject to the risks of their underlying funds. The year in the fund name refers to the approximate year (the target date) when an investor in the fund would retire and leave the workforce. The fund will gradually shift its emphasis from more aggressive investments to more conservative ones based on its target date. The Income Fund has a fixed investment allocation and is designed for investors who are already retired. An investment in a Target Retirement Fund is not guaranteed at any time, including on or after the target date.

Why save for retirement?

The sooner you join your plan and start making contributions, the more money you’ll have when you retire. It’s that simple.

When it comes to building your future, your retirement plan is a good thing. When you sign up:

 

  • Money is automatically deducted from your paycheck.
  • You may be eligible for matching contributions from your employer.
  • Pre-tax money you save doesn’t count as taxable income until you take it out, ideally in retirement. So you’ll owe less in taxes as you save.*

*You may need to pay income tax on the money you take from your retirement account. If you’re under age 59½, you may also have to pay a 10% federal penalty tax.

Plan highlights

Review a general description of the main features of your retirement plan.

 

Investment options

When you join your employer’s retirement plan, you get to choose how to invest your money. You can choose a mix of investments on your own—or you can choose a single target-date investment.

 

A target-date investment offers the simplicity of a complete portfolio composed of a mix of stocks and bonds. It also handles most regular maintenance for you. If the investment’s mix is thrown off by the market, it will automatically adjust to keep you on course.

Investments in Target Retirement Funds are subject to the risks of their underlying funds. The year in the fund name refers to the approximate year (the target date) when an investor in the fund would retire and leave the workforce. The fund will gradually shift its emphasis from more aggressive investments to more conservative ones based on its target date. The Income Fund has a fixed investment allocation and is designed for investors who are already retired. An investment in a Target Retirement Fund is not guaranteed at any time, including on or after the target date.

 

Vanguard is responsible only for selecting the underlying funds and periodically rebalancing the holdings of target-date investments. The asset allocations Vanguard has selected for the Target Retirement Funds are based on our investment experience and are geared to the average investor. Regularly check the asset mix of the option you choose to ensure it is appropriate for your current situation.

 

If you want to choose funds on your own, just follow these steps:

 

  1. Complete a short questionnaire to get your preferred investment mix.
  2. Review the investments offered in your plan:
    1. Plan A: https://ownyourfuture.vanguard.com/home/funds-chart/cwru/9812
    2. Plan C: https://ownyourfuture.vanguard.com/home/funds-chart/casewestern/4691
  3. Choose investments that match your preferred mix.                 

Roll over money to Vanguard

In most cases, you can roll over money to this plan from a former employer’s plan or an IRA. With your savings all in one place, it's easier to manage them.

 

To initiate a rollover, log in to vanguard.com/retirementplans, select Manage my money, and then select Roll over money into this plan. If you need assistance, call Vanguard.

 

Whether you keep your money where it is, move it to an IRA, or move it to another employer's plan depends on your situation and preferences. Some things to consider are available investments and services, fees and expenses, and protection from creditors. Also consider withdrawal penalties, required distributions, and the tax effects of moving company stock to an IRA. There are other factors too. Weigh the pros and cons before you make your decision.

Helpful resources

Can I get help with all of this?

No matter what your retirement investing needs are, Vanguard’s advice, education, and all-in-one fund options can help.

 

Once you’re enrolled, you can view your plan’s advice services, investment options, educational materials and more when you log in to your account.

For short and engaging lessons that can help with retirement planning and your other financial goals, check out the articles on the Vanguard Education site.

Tools you can use

Get financially fit

Need help?

Call Vanguard Participant Services Monday through Friday at 800-523-1188 from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Eastern time.

Whenever you invest, there's a chance you could lose the money.

Before you invest, get the details. Consider the fund’s objective, risks, charges, and expenses. The fund’s prospectus (or summary prospectus, if available) will tell you these important facts and more. So read it carefully. Call Vanguard at 800-523-1188 to get one. Or you can find one at vanguard.com.