Defined Contribution Retirement Plan - 401(a)

Seattle Pacific University maintains the Seattle Pacific University Defined Contribution Retirement Plan to provide benefits in the event of your retirement, death or Disability or if you terminate employment prior to your Normal Retirement Age.

The Plan is a defined contribution money purchase pension plan that is intended to be qualified under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a). University contributions to the Plan are fixed as a percentage of employee compensation. Because the Plan is a defined contribution plan, you will not receive a set dollar amount of retirement benefits. Rather, your actual retirement benefits will depend on the value of your vested Account balance at the time your employment with the University terminates. Your vested Account balance will reflect any annual allocations to your Account, the length of time you are employed by the University and the investment performance of your Account.

Click on the link to access an online copy of the Summary Plan Description or call the Office of Human Resources at (206) 281-2809 to receive a printed copy.

The University has agreements with TIAA/CREF and Fidelity Investments, Inc. whereby these companies receive, invest, and report on the funds sent to them on behalf of eligible employees. Employees have several investment options within both TIAA/CREF and Fidelity Investments, Inc. The Office of Human Resources will provide information about these options but the participating employee directs all investment choices within the vendor(s) selected.

If you are employed by the University, you will be eligible to participate in the Plan at the time described below, unless you are an adjunct faculty member, a student enrolled at the University or a Leased Employee. Adjunct faculty, students and Leased Employees are not eligible to participate in the Plan.

If you are an eligible employee, you will begin participating in the Plan on the Entry Date immediately following the date on which you complete one Year of Service, provided you are at least age 21 as of that date. Entry Dates are July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1.

Your vested percentage is the portion of your Accounts that you own. It is nonforfeitable. You become 100% vested in your Retirement Account if you are employed by the University upon the first to occur of:

1. your completion of seven Years of Service,
2. your attainment of Normal Retirement Age,
3. your death, or
4. your Disability.

Prior to the time that you become 100% vested in your Retirement Account, your vested percentage in that Account is based on your Years of Service and is determined under the following schedule:

Upon your termination of employment for any reason, other than death, you will be entitled to receive your vested Account balances.