403(b) Provider Fairs

Employees interested in continuing to invest in the TSA 403(b) retirement program after January 1, 2009, or employees interested in beginning to invest in the 403(b) retirement program need to join the State of Iowa 403(b) plan. To participate with the state plan called the Retirement Investors Club (RIC), beginning January 1, 2009, and after, you will need to select an agent who represents one of the six 403(b) providers. Those providers are AIG Retirement, Hartford Life, Horace Mann, ING, Security Benefit and TIAA-CREF. If you are currently contributing to a 403(b) or have a Board TSA benefit, you MUST enroll in one of these six companies or your contributions will cease December 31, 2008.

Heartland will be holding four provider fairs to give you an opportunity to meet with some of the agents from the six investment companies. Each of the six providers will be asked to invite interested agents to attend the fairs and meet individually with employees who attend. You are welcome to bring a spouse or friend and come and leave as your schedule permits. If you want to invest in a TSA 403(b) after January 2009 and have not contacted one of the provider’s agents, then this is a perfect opportunity to meet an agent and get enrolled. This will be the only arranged opportunity for this.

The agent you select will have all the necessary paperwork for you to enroll in our 403(b) plan. The deadline for returning your TSA 403(b) application form to Kathy Martin, benefits specialist, will be November 26, 2008.

The provider fairs are scheduled as follows:

• November 12 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Ames AEA office
• November 13 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. First United Methodist Church (new section), 307 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola
• November 18 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Johnston AEA office, ICN room
• November 18 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Annunciation Parish Hall, 723 Elm Street, Coon Rapids
  

If you are unable to attend one of these meetings, you may go to the State of Iowa’s Web site at www.das.hre.iowa.gov/ric.html and call an agent directly to set up an individual meeting. All agents have enrollment forms for you to complete.

Questions about the provider fairs or the 403(b) program may be directed to Steve Jordan at ext. 14908 or Kathy Martin at ext. 14385.