About Your Plan
Eligibility
You are eligible to participate in your plan effective immediately.
Your Contributions
The Internal Revenue Code limits the amount you can contribute in pre-tax dollars each calendar year. The federal tax law general limit for 2024 is $23,000.
If you are age 50 or older, the maximum contribution amount may be increased by an additional "catch-up" contribution of $7,500 in 2024. Elective contributions may not exceed 100% of your compensation and there is an overall limit on aggregate contributions (including employer and employee contributions) that can be made to your employer's plan.
Rollovers
If you have an existing retirement plan account with a prior employer or an IRA, you may be able to roll over all or some of that account into this plan once you enroll. You may want to consider this, for example, if your old plan or IRA's costs, features or investment options are not satisfactory to you. A financial and/or tax professional can help you determine if this option may be right for you.
Account Access
You can obtain information and make transactions through either the website at mlr.metlife.com or the toll-free telephone number at 1-800-543-2520. Also, each quarter, you will receive a personal account statement with a detailed summary of all activity.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Contribution
One of the highlights of your plan is the employer contribution. Your employer will match 50% of each dollar you contribute, on the first 4% of pay that you contribute to your plan. Additional contributions may be made by your employer regardless of the contributions you make. These contributions, if made, are at the employer's discretion and can vary from year to year. You are immediately eligible for your employer's matching contribution. You must be at least 21 years of age, have completed one year of service (1000 hours), and be employed on the last day of the plan year to be eligible for your employer's non-elective contribution.
Vesting
"Vesting" refers to entitlement to your retirement account. Anything you contribute - including rollover contributions and any earnings on that money - is always 100% vested. Under the plan, your employer's contributions are vested according to the following schedule:
| Years of Service | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Percent | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 |
Loans
Loans are permitted. The amount you may borrow is limited by rules under the Internal Revenue Code and your employer's plan. All loans will be based on your account balance. Please note, these loan limits apply on a combined basis to all retirement accounts with the same employer.
Withdrawals
Since your plan is designed primarily to help you save for retirement, the Internal Revenue Code has placed restrictions on when money may be withdrawn from your account before you retire. You may withdraw money from your plan account only under the following circumstances:
- Normal Retirement Age1
- Separation from Employment
- Disability2
- Death
- Hardship2
1 As defined by your plan
2 Subject to Internal Revenue Code requirements
Always consult your tax or investment professional about the income tax consequences of any withdrawals. Ordinary federal income taxes generally apply. State income taxes may also apply. An additional 10% federal income tax penalty may apply to distributions prior to age 59½.
The information contained in this document is intended to be informational in nature and should not be considered a recommendation or individualized advice to a specific individual.
This is not intended to be a summary of your plan's provisions. It only includes highlights of certain plan provisions. The plan document governs the terms of the plan and is available from your employer. In general, if any conflicts occur between this material and the plan documents provided by your employer, the plan documents provided by your employer will govern.
Any discussion of taxes is for general informational purposes only, does not purport to be complete or cover every situation, and should not be construed as legal, tax or accounting advice. Clients should confer with their qualified legal, tax and accounting professionals as appropriate.