TIAA-CREF

When I first started working at an academic institution in 1971, I was paid once a month (what a bummer!) and had mandatory contributions deducted from my pay that went to a retirement account with TIAA-CREF. At that time (at a young age of 20), I was told that I had no choice in the matter. I was bummed, since it was a large chunk of change. NOW .... 27 years later, even with the recent do…wnturn in the economy, I am so pleased that I was "forced" into this retirement plan. Over the years, I have changed jobs, but have stayed in academic. My TIAA-CREF IRA account has followed me. I am currently not working in academic, but the account is still earning interest. Yes, it's taken a big hit, but I am still very pleased that I have a significant amount of money there. That is all to the credit of the management at TIAA-CREF. Today, most tracking and transactions can be done online and you have the freedom to self-manage your account or request the advice of professionals. TIAA-CREF is not available to everyone, but those in the non-profit and/or educational arena should certainly consider TIAA-CREF over some of the other companies offering similar products. I feel safe with them and trust their investment judgement.
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I put my 401k in their traditional (conservative, no stocks) fund and it is actually making money instead of losing it in these rough financial times. That is a lot more than some of my friends can say. It's worth getting a Ph.D. to get into this retirement fund!