Overview

The YMCA Retirement Fund was incorporated in New York in 1921. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the Fund is organized and operated for the purpose of providing retirement benefits for employees of participating YMCAs throughout the United States. The Fund offers two plans to help YMCA employees build their retirement savings: the 401(a) Retirement Plan and the 403(b) Savings Plan. Your contributions are invested by the Fund for the long-term. Participant account balances have never gone down in value and monthly retirement payments have never been missed, even in times of market volatility.

View our video, Introduction to Y Retirement, below to learn more about the Fund.

The YMCA Retirement Fund sponsors two Plans:

  • The Retirement Plan is a 401(a) defined contribution account balance plan that elected into certain provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). Employees must meet certain eligibility criteria to be enrolled in this Plan.
Account Type Source of Contribution Tax Issues
Personal Account Participant after-tax contributions via payroll deductions (Includes contributions paid by the Y on the behalf of the participant for payroll dates prior to 7/1/09) Contributions made by the participant have already been taxed. The interest credited along with any contributions that were made by the Y on the participant’s behalf are taxed when the participant receives a distribution.
YMCA Account
(created 7/1/09)
The Y Contributions and the interest credited are taxed when the participant receives a distribution.

 

  • The 403(b) Savings Plan is a church retirement income account plan as defined in Section 403(b)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code. Any employee can participate in this Plan. It is not subject to the same eligibility rules of the 401(a) Retirement Plan.
Account Type Source of Contribution Tax Issues
Tax-Deferred Account Any Y employee (contributions via payroll deduction only) Contributions are made pre-tax. Contributions and interest credited are taxed when the participant receives a distribution.
Rollover Account Amounts previously contributed to an eligible employer’s plan or IRA Rolled-in amounts and interest credited are taxed when the participant receives a distribution. If a portion of the account was already taxed, it will not be taxed when withdrawn.
Roth Account Any Y employee (contributions via payroll deduction only) Contributions are made after-tax. Federal tax is paid now on contributions.  Interest credited may be tax-free when the participant receives a distribution.*

*Must satisfy 5-calendar-year requirement and either be disabled or age 59½ or older. 

Roth Rollover Account Amounts previously contributed to a Roth account in an eligible employer’s plan Rolled-in amounts of Roth contributions (not earnings/interest) are not taxed when the participant receives a distribution.  Rolled-in amounts of earnings/interest may be tax-free when the participant receives a distribution*

*Must satisfy 5-calendar year requirement and either be disabled or age 59½ or older.

 

Essential Resources
  1. Your YMCA Retirement Fund: One Fund, Two Plans one-pager is an easy to understand introduction to the 401(a) Retirement Plan and the 403(b) Savings Plan. A copy is included in the Welcome Kit that the Fund sends to all new participants.
  2. The Summary Plan Description Booklet is a booklet containing the Summary Plan Descriptions for the two Plans sponsored by the YMCA Retirement Fund, summaries of various procedures, and a glossary of terms,
  3. The Retirement Plan and the Savings Plan are the official documents that govern the Fund. If you are an LPA or a Plan participant and want to receive a copy, please contact the Customer Service Department at 800-RET-YMCA. You can also read an overview of the 401(a) Retirement Plan and the 403(b) Savings Plan or refer to the information in the Summary Plan Description Booklet.
  4. Our Customer Service Department is available to answer your questions at 800-RET-YMCA, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time.