Type of Plan
IRC Section 457 – Pre-Tax and Roth After-Tax Contributions
Who is Eligible
To enroll in the NJSEDCP, you must be employed by Rutgers University or the State of New Jersey or an eligible agency, authority, commission, or instrumentality of state government.
Employee Contribution
Under age 50: A combined pre-tax and after-tax contributions: $23,500 in 2025
Age 50 & Over: A maximum pre-tax and after-tax contributions: $31,000 in 2025
If eligible to make Special 457 Catch-up contributions: You may make a catch-up contribution in addition to your regular contribution during the last three years of employment prior to normal retirement. The maximum allowable catch-up amount is one times the normal contribution amount for that year. Contact Empower (formerly Prudential) at 866-657-3327 to request eligibility and available catch-up amount.
How it Works
You may voluntarily contribute a portion while saving for retirement. Federal income tax is not due on deferred pre-tax amounts or accumulated earnings until you take a distribution from your account. You can take a distribution without penalty once you are no longer employed by Rutgers University, regardless of your age.
Roth contributions are made on an after-tax basis, so the amount you contribute is included in your W-2 in the year you make your contributions. You can take a Roth distribution that is free from federal income taxes once (1) you have reached the age of 59 ½; (2) your first Roth contribution was made at least five years prior (going back to January 1 of that year); and (3) you are no longer employed by Rutgers University. Your Roth money is tracked separately from your pre-tax money and will appear as a separate item on the NJSEDCP participant website and on your detailed NJSEDCP statements.
Investment Options
A broad array of investment options. The NJSEDCP Website contains additional information.
How to Enroll
- You can enroll online by registering at https://empower.com/njplans. A plan enrolment code may be required, which can be found here. For assistance, please contact an Empower retirement plan counselor.
- For additional information visit Empower NJSEDCP. You may also call the Empower Participant Service Center at 866-657-3327 or the Rutgers OneSource Service Center at 732-745-SERV (7378) and visit the Roth Contributions FAQs.
How to Make Changes
Employees may make changes to an existing NJSEDCP account at any time. Simply visit Empower NJSEDCP or call Empower at 866-657-3327. Or returning a completed Plan Administration Form to the OneSource Center.
For additional information about the Roth Contributions visit Empower NJSEDCP. You may also call OneSource at 732-745-SERV (7378) and visit the Roth 457 Contributions FAQs.