Financial Planning 457/403(b)
Supplement Your TRS Pension
403(b) & 457(b) Retirement Savings Plans
Your TRS pension may provide an important foundation for retirement, but additional savings can help cover future healthcare costs, taxes, everyday expenses, and the lifestyle you want. Midland ISD employees may save through a 403(b), a 457(b), or both.
Why Save Beyond TRS?
Build additional income for retirement
Employees are living longer and may spend more years in retirement. Payroll-deducted retirement savings can help supplement pension income and provide greater flexibility later.
Automatic payroll contributions
Contributions are deducted from your paycheck and deposited into the retirement account you establish.
Traditional or Roth options
Depending on the plan and provider, employees may save using pre-tax Traditional contributions or after-tax Roth contributions.
Flexible participation
Employees may generally begin, change, or stop contributions during the year by following the applicable plan and payroll process.
Compare Your Options
403(b) and 457(b) plans work differently
Employees may participate in either plan or both. Review the plan notices and speak with Carolina or TCG before deciding which option fits your goals.
457(b) Savings Plan
Region 10 RAMS plan with fiduciary oversight
- Employer-sponsored plan administered through TCG
- Fiduciary oversight by TCG Advisors and a committee of superintendents and CFOs
- High-quality, low-fee investment options
- No sales commissions
- Target-date funds, risk-based portfolios, and self-directed mutual funds
- No federal early-withdrawal penalty; applicable income taxes may still apply
403(b) Savings Plan
Multi-vendor retirement savings plan
- Employees select from the approved vendor list
- Fees and investment options vary by vendor
- Commissions may vary by vendor
- Options may include annuities and mutual funds
- Employees are responsible for researching and selecting a provider
- Early distributions may be subject to taxes and penalties depending on age and circumstances
Employer Signature Requests
Do not send 403(b) paperwork to Midland ISD for signature
TCG is authorized to sign eligible retirement-plan documents on behalf of Midland ISD. Employees must submit the complete TCG form and the vendor’s paperwork directly to TCG.
Complete the vendor paperwork
Obtain and complete the required form from your 403(b) investment provider.
Complete the TCG form
Complete the applicable TCG 403(b) Distribution Form for the transaction.
Send both forms to TCG
Submit the TCG form and the vendor paperwork together directly to TCG.
TCG signs and forwards
TCG reviews the request, signs on Midland ISD’s behalf, and sends the approved paperwork directly to the 403(b) vendor for processing.
Sending only the vendor form may delay your request.
TCG cannot complete the employer authorization without the required TCG distribution form and supporting vendor paperwork. Review all forms for completeness before submitting them.
Help With Your Options
Carolina Figueroa can help you plan
Dedicated Retirement Plan Specialist
Carolina can help Midland ISD employees understand retirement planning, pension and Social Security considerations, rollover options, retirement income needs, and how supplemental savings may support long-term goals.
cfigueroa@tcgservices.com Office: (512) 600-5236 Cell: (915) 539-4286 Schedule a Free ConsultationTCG administrative support
- Region 10 RAMS registration assistance
- 403(b) and 457(b) plan administration
- Distribution and loan forms
- Employer authorization and signatures
- Vendor coordination
- Account access authorization forms
- Rollover contribution documentation
TCG Assistance: 800-943-9179
Registration & Plan Notices
Review plan information before enrolling
Registration
Region 10 RAMS Registration Instructions
Review the steps for accessing and registering through the Region 10 RAMS program.
View instructions 403(b)403(b) Plan Notice
Review required plan information, participation details, and employee rights.
View notice 403(b)403(b) Enrollment Instructions
Follow the steps for selecting a vendor and establishing payroll contributions.
View enrollment guide 403(b)403(b) Savings Plan Information
Learn more about plan structure, vendor choices, fees, and investment options.
View plan information Comparison403(b) vs. 457(b)
Compare the major differences between the two retirement savings plans.
View comparison 457(b)457(b) Plan Notice
Review required plan information and participation details for the 457(b) plan.
View notice 457(b)457(b) Enrollment Instructions
Follow the steps for enrolling and establishing payroll contributions.
View enrollment guide 457(b)457(b) Savings Plan Information
Review available investment options, plan features, and withdrawal information.
View plan informationForms
Distribution, loan, access, and rollover forms
Select the form that matches your request. Contact TCG when you are unsure which document is required.
Required for Signatures
403(b) Distribution Form
Use for eligible rollovers, withdrawals, loans, transfers, and related requests.
Open form 403(b)403(b) Account Authorization
Use when authorization is needed to access or administer a 403(b) account.
Open form 401(a)401(a) Distribution Form
Use for eligible distributions from a participating 401(a) account.
Open form 457(b)457(b) Loan Request
Use to request an eligible loan from a participating 457(b) account.
Open form 457(b)457(b) Distribution Form
Use for eligible distributions, rollovers, and related 457(b) transactions.
Open form 457(b)457(b) Account Authorization
Use when account access or plan authorization is required.
Open form RolloverRollover Contribution Form
Use when requesting an eligible rollover contribution into a participating plan.
Open formQuick Answers
Frequently asked questions
May I contribute to both a 403(b) and a 457(b)?
Yes. Eligible employees may generally participate in one plan or both, subject to applicable plan rules and contribution limits.
Who administers Midland ISD’s retirement savings plans?
TCG is the third-party administrator, and Midland ISD participates in the Region 10 RAMS program.
Who signs 403(b) vendor paperwork for Midland ISD?
TCG is authorized to sign eligible paperwork on Midland ISD’s behalf. Employees should not send vendor signature requests directly to the District.
What must I send TCG for a 403(b) transaction?
Send the completed TCG 403(b) Distribution Form together with the completed paperwork from your 403(b) vendor that requires the employer signature.
What happens after TCG receives both forms?
TCG reviews the request, signs eligible paperwork on Midland ISD’s behalf, and forwards the documents directly to the 403(b) vendor for processing.
Can Carolina help me choose between the plans?
Carolina can help explain retirement-planning considerations and the general differences between the plans. Employees remain responsible for reviewing plan documents and making their own investment decisions.
Who should I call for administrative help?
Contact TCG at 800-943-9179 for registration, forms, transactions, account administration, and signature questions.
Build retirement savings beyond your TRS pension.
Review the plan notices, compare your options, and contact Carolina or TCG when you need guidance before enrolling or completing a transaction.