Alternate Pension Plan

• Within 60 calendar days of their eligibility date, the employee must submit their election of the Alternate Pension Plan (APP) through the new hire onboarding system - see new employee email received from Human Resources. If the Employee Benefits Office does not receive an affirmative election for the APP then the employee will be enrolled in the default Indiana Public Retirement System – Teacher’s Retirement Fund.
• A participants account will be opened automatically when the first contribution is made or an account may be opened at Fidelity (plan # 73799) by the participant.
• Once the account at Fidelity is open, participants should login to Fidelity in order to choose investment and beneficiary elections.

Ball State will make the following contributions into the APP based on the employee’s date of employment or date of reemployment as follows:

• Prior to October 1, 2010, the University contributes 12.27 percent of compensation

• On or after October 1, 2010, the University contributes:
  • 5 percent of compensation for the first three (3) years
  • 10.5 percent of compensation beginning the pay period that contains the first day of the month following the month that contains the employee’s 3-year employment anniversary date.

A match is not required in order to receive the above contributions, nor are employee contributions allowed to the Alternate Pension Plan. However, Ball State does offer two (2) voluntary retirement plans to which employees may make contributions through salary deferral.

1. Tax Deferred Account (TDA) 403(b)
2. 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan

• Universal Availability Notice

A participant may distribute or withdraw funds from their plan account 30 days following either their retirement or termination of employment. Withdrawals prior to age 59 ½ may be subject to early withdrawal penalties. Hardship distributions and loans are not allowed.

Those participating in the Phased Retirement Program may make withdrawals while still employed once they have reached age 59.5.

• Ball State University Alternate Pension Plan document (PDF)

• Ball State approved provider of independent retirement investment advice for participants in the APP and 403(b) and 457(b) voluntary retirement plans through Fidelity
• Free online evaluation at EdelmanFinancialEngines.com/forBSU 
• Retirement investment advice services for a fee
• Phone: (877) 401-5762

Ball State University selected Fidelity as the sole recordkeeping service provider beginning November 2, 2020. 

If you wish to transfer available APP funds from a former vendor to Fidelity please make an appointment to meet with a Fidelity representative or contact Fidelity at (800) 343-0860.

• Lincoln – Call (800) 454-6265 
• TIAA - Login or call (800) 842-2252 
• Voya - Login or call (800) 584-6001