News

Update your HSA, 403(b), and 457(b) at any time

 

hundred dollar bill puzzle that is partially complete

 

Jump to the HSA section, the 403(b) section, or the 457(b) section.

Did you know that you can start, stop, or change your Health Savings Account (HSA), voluntary 403(b), and voluntary 457(b) contributions at any time during the year? Read the information below to see what your options are for updating these accounts. 


Health Savings Account (HSA)

  • Can you have an HSA?
    • The HSA is available to employees who are enrolled in a qualifying HSA plan
    • At UA, our qualifying plan is the HDHP

  • Complete a new form anytime
    • You can start, stop, or change your HSA by completing a new HSA form

  • Submit more than one form at once
    • For example, you want to contribute $100 biweekly until October and then from October through December, you want to contribute $50 biweekly
    • You can submit both forms at the same time indicating which you'd like these changes to take affect

  • No pay period selected?
    • If you do not select a pay period, we will make the change in the earliest possible pay period we can

  • No changes to pay periods that are already closed
    • You cannot make changes in the past

  • Maximum contributions for calendar year 2025
    • $4,300 for an individual
    • $8,550 for a family (employee plus one other person)
    • $1,000 extra if over 55


Voluntary 403(b)

  • Can you have a voluntary 403(b)?
    • Yes! Voluntary 403(b)s are available to any employee - student, temporary, and benefit-eligible

  • What is the purpose of a voluntary 403(b)?
    • Benefit-eligible employees can save more for retirement
    • Allows temporary and student employees access to retirement savings
    • Can contribute either pre-tax or post-tax funds - work with a financial advisor if you're not sure which would work best for you
    • The money is yours! No vesting requirements and you take the account with you when you separate from UA

  • Where can you contribute?
  • Complete a new form anytime
    • You can start, stop, or change your voluntary 403(b) by completing a new 403(b) form
    • Be sure to open your account before you complete your form requesting the contributions be made
      • Without an account, the funds will be returned to UA

  • Submit more than one form at once
    • For example, you want to contribute $100 biweekly until October and then from October through December, you want to contribute $50 biweekly
    • You can submit both forms at the same time indicating which you'd like these changes to take affect

  • No pay period selected?
    • If you do not select a pay period, we will make the change in the earliest possible pay period we can

  • No changes to pay periods that are already closed
    • You cannot make changes in the past

  • Maximum contributions for calendar year 2025
    • $23,500 if under 50
    • $31,000 if over 50
    • $34,750 if between 60-63 (age as of December 31, 2025)


Voluntary 457(b)

  • Can you have a voluntary 457(b)?
    • This is open to executive employees only
    • Executives must be contributing to a voluntary 403(b) up to the maximum allowed for the calendar year based on their age as of December 31 before opening their 457(b)

  • What is the purpose of a voluntary 457(b)?
    • Save more for retirement 
    • The money is yours! No vesting requirements and you take the account with you when you separate from UA

  • Where can you contribute?
    • TIAA is the only vendor with a voluntary 457(b)

  • Complete a new form anytime
    • You can start, stop, or change your voluntary 457(b) by completing a new 457(b) form
    • Be sure to open your account before you complete your form requesting the contributions be made
      • Without an account, the funds will be returned to UA

  • Submit more than one form at once
    • For example, you want to contribute $100 biweekly until October and then from October through December, you want to contribute $50 biweekly
    • You can submit both forms at the same time indicating which you'd like these changes to take affect

  • No pay period selected?
    • If you do not select a pay period, we will make the change in the earliest possible pay period we can

  • No changes to pay periods that are already closed
    • You cannot make changes in the past

  • Maximum contributions for calendar year 2025
    • $23,500 if under 50
    • $31,000 if over 50
    • $34,750 if between 60-63 (age as of December 31, 2025)

Emailed via benefits newsletter on 8/26/2025.
Published via UA News on 9/5/2025.
Contact Benefits: (907) 450-8242 | ua-benefits@alaska.edu | schedule one-on-one time