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en nccinie Pla
for Teaching Faculty of
Harvard University
ummary Plag,Descriplion_
EFTA00729322
This summary plan description (SPD)
applies only to participants in the
Retirement Income Plan for Teaching
Faculty of Harvard University. This SPD
is also available on the benefits Web site
at www.atwork.harvard.edu.
Participants who are eligible for in the
2001 Retirement Program should refer
to the separate summary plan description
of the 2001 Retirement Program for a
description of their benefits.
This program is governed by the terms
and conditions described in the legal plan
documents. which may be reviewed in the
Office of Human Resources. If there are
differences between this summary and
the plan documents, the plan documents
will govern.
The Benefits Services Group in the Office
of Human Resources. Holyoke Center.
Sixth Floor at (617) 4964001. is available
to answer your questions and provide
assistance.
EFTA00729323
Table of Contents
Introduction 1 When Benefits Are Paid 8
Retirement. Death or
Plan Highlights 1 Other Termination of Employment 8
Plan Design 1 Benefits Paid While Employed
Eligibility 1 After Your 65-' Birthday 8
Participation 1 Minimum Distributions After
Age 701/2 8
Vesting 1
Qualified Domestic
Benefits 1 Relations Order (QDRO) 9
Retirement Income Plan for Death Benefits 9
Teaching Faculty 2
Pre-Retirement Death Benefits 9
Eligibility 2
After Payments Begin 9
Loss of Eligibility 2
Disability 9
Participation 3
Other Retirement Income 10
Waiting Period 3
Tax-Deferred Annuity Plan 10
Contributions 3 Social Security 10
Contribution Rates 3
Applying for Benefits 10
Maximum Contribution 4
When Benefits Are Lost or Reduced 11
Annual Limit on Total
Retirement Contributions 4
Other Important Information 11
Sabbatical Leaves and
Unpaid Leaves 5 Plan Identification 11
Plan Sponsor 12
Investment Options 5
Plan Administration/Legal Process 12
Investment Changes and
Fund Transfers 5 Benefits Administrative Committee 12
Plan Year 12
Benefits 6
Future of the Plan 12
Vesting Requirements 6
Plan Termination Insurance—
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation 12
Forms of Benefits 7
Annuity Income 7 Your Rights Under ERISA 12
Installment Payments and Receive Information About Your
Lump-Sum Withdrawals 8 Plan and Benefits 12
Possible Tax Implications Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries 13
of Receiving Distributions 8
Enforce Your Rights 13
Spousal Waiver Provision 8
Assistance with Your Questions 13
Directory 14
Investment/Annuity Companies 15
EFTA00729324
Introduction
T his booklet describes the Retirement Income Plan T he compensation taken into account is subject to
for Teaching Faculty of H arvard University, as in an Internal Revenue Code maximum of $200,000
effect on January 1, 2002. Established July 1, 1973, for 2003. T his amount is adjusted from time to
this Plan provides retirement income benefits based time by the IRS to reflect cost-of-living increases.
on University contributions paid to selected funds
Eligibility
offered by the investment vendors listed in this SPD.
You are eligible for this plan if you are employed
T his Plan is an important part of your benefits
by the University, you are at least age 21, and either
program, and you should take time to become
you hold a professorial appointment or your primary
familiar with its terms. You may contact the
appointment is as a member of the teaching faculty
Benefits Services Group in the 0 ffice of H uman
and your combined teaching faculty positions
Resources at (617) 496-4001 for assistance and to
amount to at least a half time. C ertain others may
answer your questions.
be eligible, as discussed under Eligibility.
Participation
Plan H ighlights Eligible faculty are enrolled after a six-month waiting
period, and an individual who becomes a participant
after six months receives retroactive contributions
T his section highlights the major features of the for the six-month waiting period (provided that
plan and is intended only for your broad under- the individual was not receiving contributions
standing of its provisions. If you have specific under another University retirement plan during
questions about plan provisions, or you need to the waiting period).
act on any of its requirements, you should consult
Vesting
the more detailed summary plan description (SPD) D
that follows and the legal plan documents. Faculty hired before July 1, 1995, are immediately
vested (entitled to plan benefits when they leave
Plan Design
H arvard) upon enrollment in the plan. Participating
T he U niversity funds the retirement benefit by faculty hired on or after July 1, 1995, will be fully
making contributions to the investment funds you vested upon the earliest to occur of the following:
designate from those approved under the plan.
• Completion of three years of eligible service;
T hese funds are offered by the investment vendors
listed in this SPD. University contributions are • Attainment of age 65 while still employed;
based on your age and compensation as follows:
• 0 nset of total disability;
If You H ave Not Attained Age 40 Before the First
• Termination of the plan; or
Day of the M onth-5% of your compensation up to
the Social Security tax base (587,000 in 2003) plus • Death.
10% of your compensation over that tax base.
Benefits
If You H ave Attained Age 40 Before the First Day
If you are vested when you retire or leave H arvard,
of the M onth-10% of your compensation up to
the accumulated contributions, plus earnings (if any),
the Social Security tax base, plus 15% of your
can be paid to you in a lump sum, as a lifetime
compensation over that tax base.
income under various forms, or under other pay-
ment arrangements available from the investment
1 vendors.
EFTA00729325
Retirement Income Plan
for Teaching Faculty
Eligibility • Persons who were former participants in this
Plan, the 1950 Plan, the 1946 Plan, or the
You are eligible for this plan if you are employed
Trustees' Plan, who returned to H arvard on at
at H arvard and:
least a half-time basis after a break in service
• You hold an appointment as a professor, of less than 50 months or less than the period
associate professor or assistant professor or of prior participation in one or more of the
as president or provost of the University or foregoing plans and any other H arvard plan.
• As determined by the appropriate dean, you • Visiting professors and certain other persons
hold as your primary appointment the title of holding visitors' appointments for at least a
instructor, lecturer, critic, tutor, fellow, visiting full term of instruction.
scholar or preceptor, and your combined
You are not eligible for this plan if you:
appointments amount to at least a half-time
employment status. • Are a temporary or leased employee;
Also eligible for this plan are: • H ave an appointment without salary;
• Persons who were transferred to this plan, • Are a H arvard C ollege degree candidate;
effective July 1, 1989, from the Retirement Plan
• Area full-time graduate degree or Extension
for Officers of Instruction and Administration,
School degree candidate who has not completed
1950 (the "1950 Plan") and have continuously
the degree requirements;
held officer appointments. T hat transfer,
prompted by tax code changes, applied to • Are in an in-training status and receiving a
T IA A -C REF participants whose total H arvard stipend; or
compensation between July 1, 1988, and
• Are accruing a benefit under another
June 30, 1989, exceeded $75,000.
University retirement plan.
• Persons who were transferred to the plan
Loss of Eligibility
effective January 1, 2000, from the Section
403(b) Plan for Trustees for H arvard Participants who lose their teaching faculty status
University (the "Trustees' Plan") or who will lose eligibility for this plan with the exception
were participants in the Trustees for H arvard of those non-teaching participants who were in the
University Retirement Plan for Officers of 1950 Plan, 1946 Plan or Trustees' Plan and qualify
Instruction and Administration (1946) (the on the basis of the provisions described above for
"1946 Plan") on June 30, 1976 and have contin- non-faculty participants.
uously held such an appointment as an officer.
• Persons who have continuously held officer
appointments with the University since
June 30, 1973, who would have been enrolled
in the 1950 Plan, except for the fact that it
was closed to new members on July 1, 1973.
2
EFTA00729326
Participation Contributions
Waiting Period As a participant, the University makes monthly
pension contributions on your behalf to the fund(s)
You will be eligible to participate in this plan
you have selected. If you became a participant after
on the first of the month after you complete six
six months of qualifying service, you also receive
months of qualifying service, provided you are
retroactive contributions for your six-month waiting
at least age 21. "Qualifying service" includes
period. Contributions are based on your age and
half-time or greater service in an eligible status
your University compensation.
described above and service as a regular, benefits-
eligible staff employee For this purpose, "compensation" includes base
salary, Summer School, Extension School, summer
You would also become eligible to participate in
research salary, merit bonuses and additional com-
the Plan upon completion of a year of service
pensation for special projects. Compensation does
during which you are credited with at least 1,000
not include housing allowances, mortgage subsidies,
hours of service. For determining whether you
prizes, awards, honoraria, severance payments,
have been credited with 1,000 hours of service in
imputed income from interest-free or low4nterest
a year, the University will initially consider the
loans, or benefits under any other U niversity benefit
12-month period beginning with your date of hire;
plan. Compensation does include any amounts that
thereafter, the University will base its determina-
would have been included in compensation but for
tion on each calendar year that begins after your
an election under a cafeteria plan described in
date of hire.
Internal Revenue Code section 125, a qualified
You are credited with an "hour of service" for each transportation fringe benefit program described
hour you work for the University for pay. You also in section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, a
earn "hours of service" for certain periods during section 403(b) plan (such as the T DA Plan), or a
which you are absent from the U niversity by reason section 457(b) plan.
of military duty and for certain family and medical
Contribution Rates
leaves, as well as for hours (not in excess of 501
hours for any absence) for which you are paid by As a participant, the University will make monthly
the University while away from work for certain contributions to the plan on your behalf based on
other reasons: vacation and holidays, illness and the following contribution rates:
disability, layoff, leaves of absence, and jury duty.
If You H ave Not Attained Age 40 Before the First
In general, hours credited for an absence from
Day of the Month: 5% of your compensation
work will be based on your regularly scheduled
until your compensation for the calendar year has
work hours.
reached the Social Security tax base, plus 10% of
any additional compensation for the year.
3
EFTA00729327
If You H ave Attained Age 40 Before the First Day If you are not subject to Social Security taxes,
of the Month: 10% of your compensation until you will receive contributions of 10% of your
your compensation for the calendar year has compensation if you have not attained age 40 before
reached the Social Security tax base, plus 15% the first day of the month. If you have attained age
of any additional compensation for the year. The 40 before the first day of the month, you will receive
Social Security tax base is adjusted each year. For contributions of 15% of compensation.
2003, it is $87,000.
Maximum Contribution
If you attain age 40 during a month, your contribu-
Federal law limits the compensation base on which
tion rats will increase to 10% and 15% at the start
pension contributions can be made to $200,000 a
of the following month.
year. T his amount is adjusted from time to time.
The following examples show contributions on a
Annual Limit on Total Retirement
calendar year basis, using the 2003 Social Security
Contributions
tax base of $87,000:
In addition to the above limits, the Internal Revenue
If you are under age 40, with a 530,000 Code imposes an overall limit of $40,000 for
University salary: each calendar year on the following retirement
5% x $30,000 = $1,500 contributions made by you or for your benefit:
Total 2003 Harvard contribution = $1,500 1. H arvard's contributions under this plan;
If you are under age 40, with a 590,000 2. Your contributions under H arvard's T DA Plan,
University salary: other than special "catch-up" contributions;
5% x $87,000 = $4,350
3. Your contributions under any Keogh plan you
10% x $3,000 = $ 300 maintain with respect to outside, sdf-employment
lbtal 2003 Harvard contribution = $4,650 income;
If you are over age 40, with a 535,000 salary: 4. Any other contributions under a 403(b) retire-
10% x $35,000 = $3,500 ment plan maintained by another tax-exempt
employer; and
lbtal 2003 Harvard contribution = $3,500
5. Any contributions (your own or your employer's)
If you are over age 40, with a 590,000 salary:
under a qualified retirement plan maintained
10% x $87,000 = $8,700
by a corporation or a partnership in which
15% x $3,000 = $ 450 you have more than a 50% interest.
Total 2003 Harvard contribution = $9,150
4
EFTA00729328
H arvard monitors compliance with the $40,000 Investment Changes and Fund Transfers
limit to the extent it has a record of your
You may change how U niversity contributions are
contributions. It is your responsibility to notify the
invested at any time. Changes among the funds
University of any contributions in addition to those
offered by an investment vendor can be made
under (1) and (2) above. IRS regulations require
by calling that vendor. If you want to change the
that 403(b) contributions—that is, contributions
investment of contributions from one investment
described in (1), (2) and (4) above—are reduced
vendor to another, you must notify the University.
first to satisfy the limit. Accordingly, to the extent
Generally, you may transfer funds without restriction
necessary to meet the IRS limit, H arvard will cut
among the accounts offered by the various investment
back your contributions to the T DA Plan first and
vendors. Transfers out of the T IAA Retirement
then the contributions made for you to this plan.
Annuity can generally be made only over a ten-year
Sabbatical Leaves and Unpaid Leaves period in substantially equal payments.
During sabbatical leaves, the University makes The plan is intended to constitute a plan described
contributions for you upon your return, based on in section 404(c) of the Employee Retirement
the H arvard salary paid to you during the leave, Income Security Act (E R I SA), and Title 29 of the
and makes no contributions during an unpaid leave Code of Federal Regulations Section 2240.404c-1.
of absence. T he plan offers you and your beneficiaries the
opportunity to exercise control over the assets con-
tributed and accumulated on your behalf under the
plan by allowing you to choose, from a broad range
Investment 0 ptions of investment alternatives, the manner in which these
assets will be invested, and by providing you with
The investment vendors currently available to you information necessary to make informed decisions
under the plan are listed under Investment/Annuity with respect to the investment options under the
Companies. For information about specific funds plan and the incidents of ownership that arise from
contact the investment company or the Benefits those investments. T he fiduciaries of the plan
Services Group staff at (617) 496-4001 or the (including the investment vendors) are obligated
benefits Web site at www.atwork.harvard.edu. (with certain limited exceptions) to comply with
The University reviews the investment options from these instructions. As a result, fiduciaries of the
time to time, and reserves the right to add or delete plan are generally relieved of liability for any losses
funds as it deems desirable. With respect to contri- which are the direct and necessary result of invest-
butions made during a period that a participant has ment instructions given by you or your beneficiary.
not signed any annuity or mutual fund application,
or has otherwise failed to provide investment
instructions, the U niversity also has the authority
to select one or more "default" investments.
5
EFTA00729329
T here may be commissions, sales charges, redemp- • Copies of any prospectuses, financial statements
tion or exchange fees, or other transaction fees and reports, and of any other materials relating
or expenses which directly affect your annuity to the investment options available under the
contracts and custodial account under the plan. plan, to the extent this information is provided
Additionally, the funds underlying many of the to the plan;
annuities and the custodial account may themselves
• A list of assets comprising the portfolio of
pay certain fees to thdr investment advisors or other
each investment option which constitutes
service providers. Any such fees or expenses,
plan assets within the meaning of E R I SA
whether deducted directly from your contracts
regulations;
or account or paid indirectly by the investment
vendors or the underlying funds, effectively reduce • Information concerning the value of shares or
the return on your contracts and account. For more units in each investment option, as well as past
specific information, please consult the investment and current investment performance of such
information (including prospectuses) provided to alternatives, determined, net of expenses, on a
you for and by each investment vendor or contact reasonable and consistent basis; and
the investment vendors directly.
• Information about how to obtain the value of
If any voting rights, tender rights, or other similar shares in an investment option held for your
rights are incidental to your interest in any annuity benefit.
contract or custodial account under the plan, such
rights may be passed through to you. For specific
information with respect to an annuity contract or
custodial account, please consult the investment
Benefits
information provided to you for and by each
investment vendor or contact the investment The plan provides various forms of income benefits
vendors directly. —annuity income, installment withdrawals, and
lump-sum payments. Annuity income is available
You may obtain the following additional information
from T IAA -C REF. Accumulations with other
concerning the investment options available under
investment vendors can be taken in a lump sum,
the plan by contacting the investment vendors:
installments or under other payment arrangements
• A description of the annual operating expenses approved by the vendors. At T IAA -C REF, lump-
of each designated investment option (e.g., sum withdrawals from CREF are possible. T IAA,
investment management fees, administrative however, generally limits withdrawals to substantially
fees, transaction costs) which reduce the rate of equal payments over a ten-year period.
return to participants and beneficiaries, and the
Vesting Requirements
aggregate amount of such expenses expressed
as a percentage of average net asePts of the Your right to a benefit depends on whether you
designated investment option; are vested under the plan. If you have satisfied the
vesting requirements, you have a non-forfeitable
right to receive benefit payments when you leave
U niversity employment.
Faculty employed before July 1, 1995 are not
subject to any vesting requirement 0 nce enrolled
6
in the plan, they are fully vested.
EFTA00729330
Faculty employed on or after July 1, 1995 will be If you choose an annuity, you should read carefully
fully vested in their retirement benefit upon the the provisions of your annuity contact(s). Restrictions
first to occur of the following: in addition to those described in this plan description
may apply.
• Completion of three years of vesting service
with the U niversity or certain other employers Single Life Annuity
affiliated with the University; The single life annuity provides a monthly income
to you for life. Because it is paid for your lifetime
• Attainment of age 65 while an employee of the
only, it provides a higher benefit than any of the
U niversity or one of certain other employers
joint annuities. T his form is generally chosen
affiliated with the University;
by participants who are not married. If you are
• Onset of total disability; married, your spouse must consent to this form
of payment.
• Death; or
You can choose a guaranteed payment period (eg.,
• Termination of the plan.
ten, 15 or 20 years). The amount of your benefit
Vesting service is generally credited for each month would be reduced to pay for this guarantee. If you die
in which you are employed (but not on an unpaid before the guarantee period has ended, continuing
appointment) by the U niversity in any position, payments in the same amount would be made to
regardless of the number of hours completed. your named beneficiary for the balance of the period.
Joint and Survivor Annuity
A joint and survivor annuity provides a lifetime
Forms of Benefits benefit to you, and upon your death, continuing
lifetime payments to your spouse or designated
survivor. You can choose continuing payments of
Annuity Income
at least 50% but not more than 100% of the benefit
An annuity pays you a lifetime income The you receive.
amount of annuity income depends on your age,
the form of payment and the total accumulation in By law, if you are married, you must choose a
your account(s) at the time benefits begin. The survivor annuity for your spouse of at least 50%
younger you are when payments begin, the smaller unless your spouse consents in writing to another
the monthly benefit. Monthly benefits that begin form (see Spousal Waiver Provision).
at an older age will be greater because your life Guarantee periods also are available under the joint
expectancy will be shorter. annuities. If you and your joint annuitant die
before the guarantee period has ended, payments
would continue to your designated beneficiary.
7
EFTA00729331
Installment Payments and Lump-Sum T his is done by filing with the University a waiver
Withdrawals of the benefit signed by you and your spouse and
witnessed by a notary public or plan representative.
Instead of taking an annuity, you can withdraw
your accumulated funds in one sum or in For retirement benefits, the waiver of the joint and
installments. Mutual fund balances and CREF survivor annuity can be made only during the 90
accumulations can be taken in a lump sum. After days prior to the start of your benefits. T he waiver
the initial election, your accumulation in a T IAA also may be revoked during that period; it may not
contract generally cannot be taken in a lump sum; be revoked after the annuity begins.
however, it can be withdrawn in equal installments
For death benefits, your spouse's right to waive
over a ten-year period. If you are married, your
entitlement does not begin until the first day of the
spouse must consent to any installment or lump
plan year (see Other Important Information) in
sum withdrawal (see Spousal Waiver Provision).
which you reach age 35, or if earlier, the date you
Possible Tax Implications of Receiving leave Harvard's employment. If you should die before
Distributions age 35, at least 50% of the full current value of your
The rules concerning federal and state income annuity accumulation is payable automatically
taxation on payments from the plan are complicated to your spouse in a single sum or under one of the
and you are Jfrongity encouraged to seek professional income options offered.
tax advice before receiving any payments or selecting
any payment option. For example, if your benefit
or any portion thereof is paid in a lump sum, the W hen Benefits Are Paid
amount paid will generally be subject to 20% federal
income tax withholding (and an additional 10%
federal penalty if you have not yet attained age Retirement, Death or Other Termination
591,2). Lump-sum payments may be eligible for a of Employment
tax-free rollover to an individual retirement account Except as described below, you cannot be paid
(IRA) or to certain other types of plans. You may or withdraw amounts from any annuity contract
elect to transfer such a distribution directly to an or mutual fund custodial account prior to your
IRA or other eligible retirement plan that accepts retirement, death, total disability, or other
rollovers. Contact the Benefits Services Group or termination of employment with the University.
the investment vendors directly for more information
on these transfers. Benefits Paid While Employed After Your
65th Birthday
Spousal Waiver Provision
If you are age 65 or older and are employed by
If you are married, by law, your spouse has certain the University on a half-time or less basis, you can
rights to your retirement and death benefits. If you receive payments from the plan.
choose to take your retirement benefit in a form
that does not provide at least a 50% survivor Minimum Distributions After Age 701/ 2
income to your spouse, or you name someone By law, you are required to receive minimum
other than your spouse as your beneficiary for distributions from your pension accumulation by
death benefits, your spouse must consent in writing. the April 1 following the calendar year in which
you attain age 701/2, if you are retired.
8
EFTA00729332
Qualified Domestic Relations Order After Payments Begin
(QDRO)
If you choose a joint annuity form of retirement
All or part of your pension benefits may be income, your joint annuitant is entitled to continuing
assigned to another person (alternate payee) if lifetime payments following your death (see Forms
a qualified domestic relations order has been issued of Benefits). The amount depends on the percentage
by a court. Any such distribution of benefits to an option you elected. Under a single life option with
alternate payee (usually your ex-spouse) must a guarantee period, your beneficiary would be
be in a form permitted under the plan, but may be entitled only to any remaining payments under the
paid at a time that benefits are not available to you. guarantee. N o death benefit would be paid if you
Arrangements for this distribution must be made took out your benefit in a lump sum or as a single
with the Benefits Services Group. You may obtain life annuity.
from the Benefits Services Group, without charge,
a copy of the program's procedures for determining
whether a domestic relations order is a qualified
domestic relations order.
Disability
If you become disabled and receive total disability
benefit payments under the H arvard University
D eath Benefits
Flexible Benefits Plan, pension contributions, based
on the salary in effect at the onset of your disability,
Pre-Retirement Death Benefits will continue to be paid on your behalf.
If you die before your benefit payments begin, The amount of the pension contribution will not
the full amount of your retirement accumulation is be adjusted for changes in the Social Security wage
payable to your beneficiary. The law provides that base after you become disabled, but it will increase
if you are married at the time of your death, your at age 40 when the contribution rates change
surviving spouse is entitled to a benefit of at least from 5%-10% to 10%-15% as described in
50% of the full current value of your annuity Contributions. Plan contributions will continue
accumulation unless prior to your death your as long as you receive benefits from the Total
spouse had consented to the designation of another Disability Plan. These generally end as of the
beneficiary (see Spousal Waiver Provision). If June 30 following your 66m birthday.
you not are married, you may name anyone you
choose as the beneficiary of the death benefit.
If you have not designated a beneficiary, or if
no designated beneficiary survives you, the full
amount of your retirement accumulation will be
paid to your spouse, or if you have no surviving
spouse, to your estate.
9
EFTA00729333
Other Retirement Income
Tax-Deferred Annuity Plan Your Social Security benefits are calculated using
Voluntary contributions to the U niversity's your earnings that were subject to Social Security
Tax Deferred Annuity (TDA) Plan are an excellent taxes, paid equally by you and your employer.
tax-effective way to save for your retirement. To obtain a personal earnings and benefits estimate
U nder the T DA Plan: statement, call the Social Security Administration at
(800) 772-1213, or visit their Web site at www.ssa.gov.
• Your contributions are made &fore federal or
state income taxes are withheld-which means Social Security benefits are not paid automatically.
it costs you less to save and You should contact the Social Security Administration
office nearest your home approximately three months
• The money in your account accumulates on before you want benefits to begin. You should take
a tax-deferred basis until it is paid out to you. your Social Security card or record of your number,
Participation in the T DA Plan is not automatic; your birth certificate or other evidence of age, and
you must complete an application to participate. your W -2 federal income tax statement for the pre-
You can direct the investment of your contributions vious year. T he representatives at the Social Security
into any one or a combination of investment options. Administration office will tell you about any required
You may obtain more information about the amount documents or procedures. Remember: it is important
you can contribute and the terms of your participa- that you do not delay your application for Social
tion by calling the Benefit Services Group staff at Security benefits.
(617) 496-4001.
Social Security
In addition to your retirement benefits from this
Applying for Benefits
plan, it is likely that you will be eligible for Social
Security benefits. Currently, if you were born In anticipation of requesting benefits from the plan,
before 1938, your full Social Security retirement at least three months prior to retirement, consult
benefits are payable to you at age 65. If you were the Benefits Services Group staff. The University
born after 1937, your full Social Security benefits will serve as your intermediary with the investment
will be payable between ages 65 and 67, depending companies available under the plan and will advise
on your year of birth. You may elect to receive you about your benefit options so that you can
Social Security benefits as early as age 62, if you make your elections under the plan. You should
are retired, but the monthly amount will be reduced allow six to eight weeks for the processing of your
because it is presumed you will be receiving pay- benefits.
ments over a longer period of time. At age 65 and
Harvard will notify you in writing (or electronically)
after, you can be paid Social Security benefits
within 90 days of receiving an application or written
regardless of whether you are still employed.
claim for benefits to let you know the status of your
request (or within 180 days if special circumstances
require any extension of time for processing the
claim, and if you are notified of the extension and
the circumstances within the initial 90-day period).
10
EFTA00729334
If your application or claim for benefits is denied, • Because payments from the plan may be based
H arvard will notify you in writing (or electronically) on a valuation date which is not the date benefit
giving you the specific reasons for denial, the provi- payments are made, the amount of any pay-
sions of the plan upon which the denial is based, a ments may not be equal to the fair market value
description of any material needed to complete the of assets in the annuity contract or custodial
application, if any, and why such material is neces- accounts as of the date of the payments.
sary, and instructions on how to apply for a review.
• Some annuity contracts may impose surrender
You have 60 days to request a review of the denied
charges on certain dispositions of the contracts.
application or claim. It should be in writing and
Any such charges are disclosed in the invest-
directed to the Benefits Administrative Committee,
ment materials provided to you.
Office of H uman Resources, H olyoke Center.
• Because the plan is a defined contribution plan,
You also may review or request (free of charge)
in the event the plan were terminated, your
copies of all pertinent documents, and may submit
benefits are not insured under Title IV of E R I SA.
issues and comments in writing. The University will
conduct a full and fair review of your application • All or a portion of your accumulations under
and notify you of its decision. You will be notified the plan may be assigned under a "qualified
in writing (or electronically) of the outcome of the domestic relations order."
review. If that review cannot be completed within
• If you do not keep your current address on
60 days of your written request because of special
file with each investment vendor that holds
circumstances (such as the need to hold a hearing),
accumulations under the plan on your behalf,
the time will be extended, but not beyond 120 days
the payment of your benefits could be delayed.
from your request. You will be notified as to the
reason for the delay and when a decision is expected.
When Benefits Are Lost or Reduced
0 ther Important Information
T here are circumstances which could cause you to
lose your rights to benefit payments or decrease the
value of your benefits under the plan: Plan Identification
• Amounts invested under the plan are subject to The Retirement Income Plan for Teaching Faculty
of H arvard University is a defined contribution
increases or decreases in value depending upon
plan providing retirement and survivor benefits
the investment options you choose and the
and is governed by Internal Revenue C ode section
investment performance of those options.
403(b). The following numbers have been assigned
• If the contributions made to this plan on to identify this plan:
your behalf exceed certain IRS limits (See
Employer Identification Number
Maximum Contribution and Annual Limit
(assigned by the I R 5) 04-2103580
on Thal Retirement Contributions), the
contributions may be reduced. Plan Number 002
11
EFTA00729335
T his plan is governed by the terms and conditions Plan Year
described in the plan document, which may be
T he plan year is January 1 through December 31.
reviewed in the Office of H uman Resources,
H olyoke Center, Sixth Floor. If there are differ- Future of the Plan
ences between this non-technical summary and the T he U niversity expects to continue this plan, but
plan document, the plan document will govern. reserves the right to change or terminate it at any
Plan Sponsor time. The University's decision to change or termi-
nate the plan may be due to changes in federal or
The sponsor of this plan is H arvard University,
state law governing retirement benefits, the require-
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138.
ments of the Internal Revenue Code or the Employee
Plan Administration/Legal Process Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (E R ISA ),
or any other reason. If the plan is terminated, you
The University serves as plan Administrator;
will have a non-forfeitable right to your account
the Benefit Services Group staff in the Office
balance under the plan.
of H uman Resources is responsible for the
day-to-day administration of the plan. Plan Termination Insurance—
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
The Benefits Services Group maintains records of
contributions and participation. T he U niversity and T his plan is a defined contribution plan and,
the Investment vendors share record keeping respon- accordingly, it is not subject to, nor covered by,
sibility for investment elections and beneficiaries. federal plan termination insurance.
Service of legal process may be made on the Plan
Administrator, at the Office of the General Counsel.
Benefits Administrative Committee
Your Rights U nder E R I SA
The University has a Benefits Administrative
Committee that is asked to settle questions or As a participant in the plan, you are entitled to
disputes relating to the administration of the plan certain rights and protections under the Employee
by the University. A major responsibility of this Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (E R ISA ).
Committee is to make sure that the provisions E R I SA provides that all plan participants shall be
of various benefit plans are applied properly and entitled to:
equitably to you and to all other members. If you Receive Information About Your Plan
feel that you have been treated unfairly or denied and Benefits
benefits improperly, you are encouraged to seek a
• Examine, without charge, at the Plan
Benefits Committee review by submitting a request
Administrator's office and at other specified
to the Benefits Services Group.
locations, such as work sites, all documents
The U niversity, as Plan Administrator, has full power governing the plans, including insurance con-
and discretion to administer and interpret the plan, tracts, collective bargaining agreements and
subject to applicable requirements of law. Any copies of the latest annual reports (Form 5500
determination made by the University (including Series) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
the Benefits Committee) shall be final and conclusive
on all persons, in the absence of clear and convincing
evidence that the U niversity or Benefits Committee
12
acted arbitrarily and capriciously.
EFTA00729336
• Obtain, upon written request to the Plan because of reasons beyond the control of the
Administrator, copies of all documents governing Administrator. If you have a claim for benefits
the operation of the plans, including insurance which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part,
contracts and collective bargaining agreements, you may file suit in a state or federal court. In
copies of the latest annual reports (Form 5500 addition, if you disagree with the plan's decision
Series) and updated summary plan description. or lack thereof concerning the qualified status of a
The Administrator may make a reasonable domestic relations order, you may file suit in federal
charge for the copies. court. If it should happen that plan fiduciaries mis-
use the plan's money, or if you are discriminated
• Receive a summary of the plan's annual financial
against for asserting your rights, you may seek
report. The Plan Administrator is required by
assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or
law to furnish each participant with a copy of
you may file suit in a federal court The court will
this summary annual report.
decide who should pay court costs and legal fees.
Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries If you are successful the court may order the per-
son you have sued to pay these costs and fees.
In addition to creating rights for plan participants,
If you lose, the court may order you to pay these
E RI SA imposes duties upon the people who are
costs and fees, for example, if it finds your claim
responsible for the operation of the employee benefit
is frivolous. If you have any questions about your
plans. The people who operate your plans, called
plans, you should contact the Plan Administrator.
"fiduciaries" of the plans, have a duty to do so
prudently and in the interest of you and other plan Assistance with Your Questions
participants and beneficiaries. N o one, including
If you have any questions about this statement or
your employer or any other person, may fire you
about your rights under ER ISA, or if you need
or otherwise discriminate against you in any way
assistance in obtaining documents from the Plan
to prevent you from obtaining a pension benefit or
Administrator, you should contact the nearest office
exercising your rights under E R ISA.
of the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration,
Enforce Your Rights U .S. Department of Labor, listed in your telephone
directory or the Division of Technical Assistance
If your claim for a pension benefit is denied or
and Inquiries, Pension and Welfare Benefits
ignored, in whole or in part you have a right to
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200
know why this was done, to obtain copies of
Constitution Avenue M, Washington, M.
documents relating to the decision without charge,
20210. You may also obtain certain publications
and to appeal any denial, all within certain time
about your rights and responsibilities under E RI SA
schedules.
by calling the publications hotline of the Pension
U nder E R I SA, there are steps you can take to and Welfare Benefits Administration.
enforce the above rights. For instance, if you
request materials from the plans and do not receive
then within 30 days, you may file suit in a federal
court. In such a case, the court may require the
Plan Administrator to provide the materials and
pay you up to 5110 a day until you receive the
materials, unless the materials were not sent
13
EFTA00729337
Directory
Plan Administrator Agent for Service of Legal Process
H arvard U niversity 0 ffice of the G eneral Counsel
cio Benefits Services Group H arvard U niversity
H olyoke Center, Sixth Floor H olyoke C enter, Ninth Floor
Cambridge, M A 02138 Cambridge, M A 02138
(617) 4964001 (617) 495-1280
Administration and Counseling
0 ffice of Human Resources
Benefits Services Group
H olyoke Center, Sixth Floor
Cambridge, M A 02138
(617) 4964001
14
EFTA00729338
I nvestment/A nnuity Companies
TIAA-CREF The Scudder Funds
730 Third Avenue 100 N ortheastern Boulevard
New York, NY 10017 Salem, New Hampshire 03079-1953
(800) 842-2733 (800) 541-7705
Fidelity Investments The Vanguard Group
82 Devonshire Street 100 Vanguard Boulevard
Boston, M A 02109 M alvern, PA 19355
(800) 343-0860 (800) 523-1188
15
EFTA00729339
For more information or assistance contact:
Benefits Services Group
Office of Human Resources
1350 Massachusetts Avenue
664 Holyoke Center
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: (617) 4964001
benefits@harvard.edu
EFTA00729340
SUS HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Office of Human Remurra
Benefits Services Group
Office of Human Resources
1350 Massachusetts Avenue
664 Holyoke Center
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: (617) 4964001
benefits@harvard.edu
May 2003
EFTA00729341