UW 403(b) SRP and WDC (457) Program Contribution Limits to Increase in 2026
Universities of Wisconsin employees will be able to contribute more to their retirement plans in 2026. The IRS recently announced an increase in the 2026 retirement plan contribution limits. The limits apply to the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP) and the Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC) 457 Program.
Contribution Limit Increase
In 2026, employees may contribute a basic maximum of $24,500 to the UW 403(b) SRP (an increase from $23,500 in 2025). Employees who are fifty and older can contribute an additional $8,000 for a total of $32,500. These same limits apply to WDC, and you may contribute the full amount to both the UW 403(b) SRP and WDC.
If you have 15 years or more of service with the Universities of Wisconsin and have contributed less than an average of $5,000 per year over your Universities of Wisconsin employment, you may have an additional “catch-up” opportunity with the UW 403(b) SRP. Reach out to your benefits contact for more information.
Both pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) contributions count towards the annual limits. Note: Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are a type of retirement account separate from the UW 403(b) SRP and WDC Program and have separate limits.
Starting in 2026, UW 403(b) and WDC participants who had more than $150,000 of FICA wages from the Universities of Wisconsin in 2025 will be required to make age-based catch-up contributions as Roth contributions in 2026.
Making Changes and Enrolling in the UW 403(b) SRP
To enroll, edit (increase or decrease), or stop your UW 403(b) SRP deduction:
- Login to Workday
- Hover over Personal in the sidebar and select Benefits and Pay
- Click Change Benefits
- Click Supplemental Retirement Change
- Instructions can be found in Change Benefits-Supplemental Retirement (KB 144708)
To enroll for the first time the following options are also available:
- Use the EZ Enrollment Form
- Or complete a Salary Reduction Agreement and set your account up online (or paper application) with the recordkeeper(s) of your choice
For questions on the UW 403(b) SRP, review the SRP web page.
Making Changes and Enrolling in the WDC (457) Program
To change your WDC contribution log into your account using the WDC website or call Empower, the third-party WDC plan administrator, at (877) 457-9327. The WDC website also has information about enrolling in the program. WDC changes must be made with Empower.
Reminder: Supplemental Retirement Payroll Schedule
UW 403(b) SRP and the WDC contributions are processed on the first two paychecks of each month (24 paychecks during the calendar year). This means there are no UW 403(b) SRP or WDC contributions when there is a third paycheck date in a month.
Questions
If you have questions after reviewing the available information, reach out to your benefits contact.
Source: Universities of Wisconsin Office of Human Resources