403(b) Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan Annual Notice
To All APS Employees:
This notice is to make you aware of your eligibility to participate in the APS 403(b) retirement plan. Effective January
1, 2017, eligibility to participate in the APS voluntary retirement savings plans is being expanded. You are eligible to
participate if you are an APS employee, regardless of whether your status is full-time, part-time, hourly or a substitute
teacher. The 403(b) plan (often called a “tax‐sheltered annuity” or TSA) is a voluntary plan that allows you to defer a
portion of your paycheck to a retirement plan. The 403(b) plan is administered by TCG Administrators (formerly JEM
Resource Partners).
The 403(b) plan is a benefit offered by APS to help you bridge your retirement income gap and lower your taxes.
Under Federal tax law, you do not have to pay income taxes on your contributions or account earnings until you take
the money out of the plan.
Please read below for details on how to enroll and how easy it is to start saving now.
Why would I want to participate if I am already saving through the Education Retirement Board plan?
The ERB plan may not replace all of your income in retirement. The average retiree receives 60‐65 percent of their
income at retirement. For example, if your current salary is $5,000 per month and your retirement benefit equals 65
percent of your current salary, you will receive $3,250 each month. However, research by one of the largest state
teacher retirement systems indicates that retirees must receive 90‐95 percent of their income in retirement to
maintain their current standard of living. In the above example the individual has a shortfall of $1,750 per month.
Why would I contribute to a 403(b) plan?
Bridge your retirement income gap
Lower your taxes
Automatic saving - payroll deducted
Important points about the 403(b) plan:
A. The first step is to select an investment vendor and complete any necessary paperwork (or on-line or inperson enrollment) to set up an account with that vendor. The list of investment vendors is available on the TCG
website. Once you are set up with an investment vendor, follow the instructions below to set up your salary reduction
election.
B. You may start, stop or change your payroll deduction contribution to the plan at the first of any month*.

The deadline for enrollment or changes for each month is on the TCG website. Go to www.tcgservices.com,
and from the home page, click on “My Account” and then “Plan Information” in the top menu bar. Enter the
name of your employer in the search engine, then Select “Albuquerque Public Schools” and hit “Go”.
Click on “Deadline Dates for Payroll Changes” to find the submission deadlines. (*Please note that winter break and
summer payroll schedules and deadlines can impact the start, stop or contribution amount change date.)
C. You may contribute up to $18,000 for 2016 if you are under age 50 and $24,000 if you are age 50 or over. (As of
the date of this notice, the IRS has not released the maximum contributions amounts for 2017.)
D. All APS employees are eligible to participate in the 403(b) plan. The minimum contribution amount to the plan is
$7.50 per pay period. There are no other restrictions on your right to make contributions to the Plan. Contributions are
deducted from 24 pay periods per year.
E. To see other plan features for the APS 403(b) plan, go to the Summary Plan Description (follow instructions in item
B, above). You may also call TCG Administrators at (800) 943‐9179 and they will assist you by phone.
Once you are set up with an investment fund vendor, set up your salary reduction election on-line:
1. Go to www.tcgservices.com
2. Click on “My Account” and then “Login” from the top menu bar
3. Select “Portal Login” from the Group Retirement Plan Login option
4. Select “New User” from the Welcome screen
5. Enter the plan password: albuq403 – to set up a traditional 403(b) plan (pre-tax plan) or alb403xR – to set up a
Roth 403(b)
6. Enter your social security number (without hyphens)
7. Select “Begin”. You may also call TCG Administrators at (800) 943‐9179 and they will assist you by phone.
Albuquerque Public Schools Employee Benefits Department
TCG Administrators
Receipt of this notice does not imply participation in one of voluntary retirement plans. You must actively enroll in either (or both) of the
voluntary retirement plans in order to make contributions to the plan(s).
457 Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan Annual Notice
To All APS Employees:
This notice is to make you aware of your eligibility to participate in the APS 457 retirement plan. Effective January 1,
2017, eligibility to participate in the APS voluntary retirement savings plans is being expanded. You are eligible to
participate if you are an APS employee, regardless of whether your status is full-time, part-time, hourly or a substitute
teacher. The 457 plan (often called a deferred compensation plan) is a voluntary plan that allows you to defer a
portion of your paycheck to a retirement plan. The 457 plan is offered through Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.
The 457 plan is a benefit offered by APS to help you bridge your retirement income gap and lower your taxes. Under
Federal tax law, you do not have to pay income taxes on your contributions or account earnings until you take the
money out of the plan.
Please read below for details on how to enroll and how easy it is to start saving now.
Why would I want to participate if I am already saving through the Education Retirement Board plan?
The ERB plan may not replace all of your income in retirement. The average retiree receives 60‐65 percent of their
income at retirement. For example, if your current salary is $5,000 per month and your retirement benefit equals 65
percent of your current salary, you will receive $3,250 each month. However, research by one of the largest state
teacher retirement systems indicates that retirees must receive 90‐95 percent of their income in retirement to
maintain their current standard of living. In the above example the individual has a shortfall of $1,750 per month.
Why would I contribute to a 457 plan?
Bridge your retirement income gap
Lower your taxes
Automatic saving - payroll deducted
Important points about the 457 plan:
A. You may start, stop or change your payroll deduction contribution to the 457 plan at the first of any
month*.
The deadline for enrollment or changes is the 20th of the month preceding the month you want to start or change your
contributions. (*Please note that winter break and summer payroll schedules and deadlines can impact the start, stop
or contribution amount change date.)
B. You may contribute up to $18,000 for 2016 if you are under age 50 and $24,000 if you are age 50 or over. (As of
the date of this notice, the IRS has not released the maximum contributions amounts for 2017.)
C. All APS employees are eligible to participate in the 457 plan. The minimum contribution amount to the plan is
$7.50 per pay period. There are no other restrictions on your right to make contributions to the 457 plan.
Contributions are deducted from 24 pay periods per year.
D. For more information about the APS 457 plan, visit www.newmexico457dc.com or call 1-866-827-6639 to request
plan highlights or prospectuses.
To make a 457 plan salary reduction election or changes:
Please contact the local retirement specialist, Clayton Pucket, if you have questions about the 457 plan. Clayton can
be reached at 505-362-8814 or [email protected]. To enroll or to make changes to your contribution
amount you may contact Clayton or the APS Employee Benefits Department (889-4821) to complete the necessary
Enrollment or Change Form.
Thank you,
Albuquerque Public Schools Employee Benefits Department
Nationwide Retirement Solutions
Receipt of this notice does not imply participation in one of voluntary retirement plans. You must actively enroll in either (or both) of the
voluntary retirement plans in order to make contributions to the plan(s).