Goal Setting Resources

CUBES
CUBES
Vanguard Log in
Vanguard Log in
TIAA Log in
TIAA Log in
Calculators
Calculators
Goal Setting
Goal Setting
Video Tutorials
Video Tutorials

Improve your financial literacy and use tools to help establish your financial goals and plan for retirement.

Note: Some links require a log in to TIAA or Vanguard websites.

Quick Lessons

Basic Financial Principles
Basic Financial Principles
Saving for Retirement
Saving for Retirement
Living in Retirement
Living in Retirement

Retirement Planning Made Easy

   

Follow these 5 Steps:

Officers

Newly-hired Officers are automatically enrolled into the Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan (VRSP) 60 days from your date of hire at 3%. Contributions will be deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis. Columbia makes contributions as soon as you become eligible.

Support Staff

Newly-hired Support Staff may start contributing to the Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan (VRSP) right away by logging into CUBES. Contributions will be deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis. Columbia makes contributions immediately upon hire.

Maximize your contributions to the VRSP. You can contribute up to 80% of your paycheck on a pre-tax or Roth after-tax basis up to annual IRS limit of $23,500 in 2025. 

The catch-up contribution limit for those age 50 and over is $7,500 for a total of $31,000.

Under a change made in SECURE 2.0, a higher catch-up contribution limit applies for employees aged 60, 61, 62 and 63 who participate in these plans. For 2025, this higher catch-up contribution limit is $11,250 instead of $7,500.

As you approach retirement, your allocation of retirement investment funds may need to change. View your fund performance and investment options at TIAA and Vanguard. Use their helpful calculators and planning tools.

TIAA and Vanguard retirement planning specialists visit the campuses regularly. Sign up for a one-on-one session or join a webinar. And attend our customized workshops offered throughout the year.

Explore all the Retiree Benefits—health, tuition, financial, and well-being programs—to help you plan for your retirement needs and reach your financial goals.

Financial Planning By Career Stage

Early Career Stage

Early Career Stage

Start saving early and let time work for you

 

Mid Career Stage

Mid Career Stage

Long-term strategies amidst changing priorities

 

Late Career Stage

Late Career Stage

Explore income options for retirement