The UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP) is a voluntary supplemental retirement savings program that offers great options to save for your long-term goals. In the UW 403(b) SRP, you can contribute on a pre-tax basis, a Roth (after-tax) basis, or a combination of both. Pre-tax and Roth contributions combine to count towards the annual limit. You may start, change, or stop your contributions at any time.
With a Roth 403(b) after-tax contribution to the UW 403(b) SRP, you pay taxes upfront on the contributions themselves. You do not pay any federal or state income tax on the earnings realized from Roth investments, and your qualified distributions in retirement are completely tax-free. To be a qualified distribution, withdrawals must generally occur after age 59½ and at least five years after your first Roth contribution.
A Roth 403(b) account is different from a Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Arrangement/Account). An IRA is a personal savings plan to build retirement funds and is not sponsored through any employer. You set up a Roth IRA yourself, for yourself.
Due to IRS regulations, Roth IRAs can only be rolled over into another Roth IRA.
While both a UW 403(b) SRP Roth account and a Roth IRA are after-tax accounts, there are major differences:
Roth UW 403(b) SRP account
- 2026 limit: $24,500 basic limit plus 15-year rule service catch (if eligible): $3,000, plus 50 and over catch-up: $8,000, or 60–63 super catch-up: $11,250.
- There are no income restrictions.
- You have access to the investments in the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program: 18 best-in-class funds, including many with low-cost institutional share classes. These funds are reviewed by the Supplemental Retirement Program Advisory Committee on a regular basis.
- You also have access to a wide array of funds through the brokerage windows.
- There are no investment minimums.
- You can only take a distribution from the UW 403(b) SRP when you have a distributable event: generally, after attainment of age 59 ½ or separation from service.
Roth IRA
- 2026 Limit: $7,500 basic limit, plus 50 and over catch-up amount of $1,100.
- There are income restrictions; highly compensated individuals may not be able to contribute to a Roth IRA.
- You set up your own IRA with the company or companies of your choice. You may perhaps only have access to funds with a retail share class.
- You may be subject to investment minimums.
- You can take a distribution from your Roth IRA contributions at any time.
Whether Roth or pre-tax 403(b) contributions are more beneficial for you, depends on several factors, including your current tax situation, future tax expectations, and personal preference.
Who might benefit from Roth 403(b) SRP contributions:
- You have a longer time until retirement. This gives you longer to accumulate tax-free earnings.
- You expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than you are now.
- You are a highly compensated employee who is not eligible for a Roth IRA.
- You want some tax diversification in retirement. Having both pre-tax and Roth accounts can give you more flexibility in retirement to manage your taxable income.
- You want to leave tax-free money to your beneficiaries. You do not have to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) on any Roth account.
- You have time for your account to be open for 5 years before you take a distribution.
Pre-tax to Roth Conversion
You can convert your pre-tax 403(b) contributions to Roth through your account provider (TIAA or Fidelity). Keep in mind that you will owe taxes on the amount you convert.
For more information about Roth, visit the FAQs about Roth on the UW 403(b) SRP website.
Questions?
Reach out to your benefits contact.
Updated: 01/13/2026