Defined Contribution Plan for Faculty and Administrators (NDFA)

The Defined Contribution Plan for Faculty and Administrators (also referred to as the Notre Dame Faculty and Administrators' Plan [NDFA]) is under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Regular faculty and administrators are eligible to participate in this plan after one year of service. If you have at least one year of service at another educational institution or a not-for-profit/governmental research laboratory, the one-year wait is waived.

Once you are eligible to participate in the NDFA, the University contributes 10% of your base salary to the plan, and you are required to contribute 5% of your base salary to the plan. Contributions made by the University on your behalf are vested immediately. You may choose how to invest all contributions among three retirement vendors: Fidelity Investments, TIAA-CREF, and The Vanguard Group. It is important to note that when making your selections, you accept all investment risks associated with your choices. Contributions to the NDFA remain sheltered from income taxes until you begin receiving distributions or when you withdraw the money as allowed under the plan (generally, the earliest you can begin withdrawing funds without penalty is at age 59 1/2).

Distributions from the Plan are only permitted under the following circumstances:

  • Severance from employment;
  • Death;
  • Disability within the meaning of Code Section 72(m)(7); or
  • Attainment of age 59-1/2, if you are working less than full-time and you have entered into a phased-in retirement agreement

If you have investments with TIAA-CREF, you may be eligible to take a loan from your retirement account at any time without penalty. For more information and to request the loan paperwork, please contact TIAA-CREF directly at 1-800-842-2776 or visit http://www.tiaa-cref.org/.

For assistance with your NDFA plan, please contact:

askHR
200 Grace Hall
Phone:  1-574-631-5900
Fax:  1-574-631-8263
Email:  askhr@nd.edu

Quick Links

Defined Contribution Plan for Faculty and Administrators Summary Plan Document (PDF)

Summary of Material Modification
Faculty and Administrators Retirement Plan Policy
Financial Education Sessions
Individual Counseling Sessions with Fidelity Investments, TIAA-CREF, or The Vanguard Group
Changing Your Contributions (Form)
Vendors:  Fidelity Investments, TIAA-CREF, The Vanguard Group