University of California, Berkeley

Retirement Savings Program

The UC Retirement Savings Program offers a convenient, tax-advantaged way to save for retirement.  While UC is the administrator of the Retirement Savings Program, Fidelity Retirement Services provides the record keeping and account services for the Program.

The Program consists of:

  • The Defined Contribution Plan
    • The Pretax Account for mandatory employee contributions (Regular and Safe Harbor) 
    • The After-Tax Account for voluntary contributions and the taxable portion of rollovers from other employer plans
  • The Tax-Deferred 403(b) Plan
  • The 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan

UC is sponsoring several retirement education classes conducted by Fidelity Retirement Services to help employees learn about investing for retirement and the steps they can take to help ensure retirement readiness. The classes include:

  • Your UC Retirement System
    This class will introduce you to your UC Retirement System—the UC Retirement Plan (UCRP) and the UC Retirement Savings Program (your UC 403(b), 457(b) and DC Plans). After the class, you’ll have a better understanding of how the programs work together to help you build a more secure financial future.
  • Getting on the Right Path with Your UC Savings Plans
    This class is designed to help you make the most of your UC Retirement Savings Program: the 403(b), 457(b) and DC plans. You will learn the benefits of joining your retirement savings plan, why it’s important to save for retirement, and how to get started. After you complete the class, you should be able to determine your workplace savings needs, enroll in the 403(b) and 457(b) plans, and make your initial investment elections.
  • Accessing Your Account Online
    This class offers a quick overview of the tools available on the Fidelity NetBenefits® web site to help you manage your UC Retirement Savings Program investments. When the class is complete, you should be able to log in and make account transactions, as well as use the available retirement planning tools and resources.
  • Building a Portfolio for Any Weather
    This class explains the role of asset allocation and diversification when you are choosing investments for your UC Retirement Savings Program accounts. After the class, you should be able to recognize the characteristics of the three asset classes, identify an appropriate target asset mix based on your situation, and understand how and when to adjust your mix.
  • Understanding the Power of Debt
    In this class, you will learn about types of debt, good and bad. You’ll get tips for boosting your credit rating and ways to whittle down your debt. After the class, you will be better equipped to improve your financial situation.
  • Designing a Financial Roadmap
    This class teaches you how to build a financial roadmap that can help you navigate all your savings needs. You’ll learn how to plan for retirement while establishing non-retirement goals and savings options. You’ll also review ways to protect your assets.
  • Your College Savings Options
    This class teaches you about the important steps to take when beginning to save for a child’s college education. You’ll get an overview of several of the financial vehicles available for college savings, learn general planning guidelines to prepare for future college financing needs, and see tools and resources that can help you.
  • Establishing and Maintaining an Estate Plan
    This class will help you understand key tools for estate planning. You’ll learn the importance of preparing an estate plan and be able to recognize the benefits of planning and the dangers of waiting. You’ll also learn about tools and resources that can help you take the next step.
  • Preparing your Savings for Retirement
    This class will help you identify and understand your sources of income, including Social Security. During the class, you’ll learn about the effect of future health care costs in retirement. At the end of the class, you’ll be better equipped to evaluate your retirement income and expenses, and develop strategies to fill the gap.
  • Shifting from Savings to Spending
    This class will help you understand the importance of asset allocation in retirement and identify the elements you need to build your investment strategy. You’ll also learn about portfolio withdrawal rates and strategies for turning your retirement assets into income.
  • Preserving your Savings for Future Generations
    This class will help you understand key tools for estate planning. You’ll also learn about strategies for gifting and insurance replacement, see what you need to consider when you’re designating your beneficiaries, and get tools and resources that can help you take the next step.
  • Quarterly Market Update
    This class is designed to help you stay informed about the factors affecting recent market performance. After the class, you should be able to understand current market trends and the most recent quarter’s market performance.
  • Remaining Confident in a Challenging Market
    How market conditions affect investment performance and how to put market events in perspective.

See the current schedule of classes for details on class times, locations, and topics.

The Fidelity Retirement counselor assigned to UC Berkeley can also bring these workshops to your department. 

Contact Information:
Fidelity Retirement Services
Retirement Savings Program Accounts
Phone: 1-866-682-7787

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